Save the Fishes… And Your Skin.

We all know that sunscreen is a vital part of keeping your skin healthy and protected, but did you know that the type you use is equally important? Recently, the state of Hawaii passed a bill banning the sale of sunscreens containing two chemical sunscreen agents: oxybenzone and octinoxate. Both were found to contribute to coral bleaching, having a detrimental effect on the coral population and the ocean’s ecosystem as a whole. While the ban still needs to be signed off by the governor and won’t formally go into effect until January 1, 2021, it sends up another major red flag that we need to get serious about the ingredients we use in our personal care.

Thankfully, our skin can still get the sun protection it needs while keeping our ocean friends safe. It starts with minerals, but even then, you still need to use the right kind. Be wary of mineral sunscreen that doesn’t look opaque right out of the tube, it may contain zinc or titanium dioxide nanoparticles. These micro-sized minerals go on clearer than their heftier-sized counterparts, but they aren’t so good for the ocean. Because of their tiny particle size, they are able to interact with the cells of phytoplankton and stunt their growth. Both the coral reef and phytoplankton are important in sustaining a healthy ecosystem for marine life. Our Squalane + Mineral SPF 30 contains non-nano zinc and titanium dioxide, making it safe for the sea while keeping our ocean friends (and our skin) healthy and happy. In fact, it made the EWG 2018 Guide to Sunscreens. To be represented in the guide, a sunscreen must be proven effective and safe for people and the environment.

If helping save the ocean weren’t enough to swap your chemical sunscreen for a non-nano mineral version, there’s another good reason to make the switch. Heat, in the form of infrared light, can wreak havoc on your skin and lead to increased irritation, damage and signs of aging. Chemical sunscreen agents absorb UV rays, which increases heat in the skin. Minerals, on the other hand, reflect light away, so help keep skin cool. In addition to non-nano minerals, our Squalane + Mineral SPF 30 contains the ocean harvested enzyme, thermus thermophillus ferment extract. This powerful antioxidant is activated by heat and light to protect against infrared radiation and heat. You get full spectrum protection that’s good for you—and safe for the environment.

To a happy and safe summer, aloha!