Sunscreens and Our Coral Reefs
As scuba divers and ocean lovers we are constantly in the sun trying to avoid that sunburn and the terrible diver tan lines. We slather on sunscreen over and over again without thinking. But what if I told you that the sunscreens we are using are actually damaging our beautiful coral reefs? Would you still wear them?
Knowing that I was going to be in the sun constantly this summer and diving as much as possible, I didn’t want to wear sunscreen that could destroy my favourite dive sites. I decided to do a little research on what chemicals in typical sunscreens are causing the damage (Oxybenzone!), and then sought to find sunscreens that were natural and avoided these ingredients. I ended up with 5 to test, and as I try each one I will be reviewing it based on my experience.
My second sunscreen to try out, after I regrettably ran out of Maui Surfer Honey SPF 30 was RAW Elements Eco Formula 30+. It just happened to be the one within reach when grabbing one to put in my bag.
The RAW Elements sunscreen comes in a green tube with an orange cap – great that I can find it quite easily in the depths of my bag! The tube is quite short, but rather wide, so gripping the lotion isn’t an issue when applying.
The smell while not my favourite, wasn’t that bad either. I’m not quite sure how to describe the smell, although RAW Elements say that their lotion is scent-free..not quite true, but it’s not horrible.
This sunscreen goes on quite white due to the high zinc content (the highest of all of the ones I bought to test at 23%), but you don’t need to apply a lot at once. A small amount covers a lot, unlike your everyday sunscreen brands where you have to really apply liberally! Although the sunscreen is quite white, it soaks into the skin and does not leave you looking like a ghost.
As in my previous sunscreen review, I wore RAW Elements on my face as well, still slightly concerned that I may break out. But sure enough, because of the simple ingredients in the lotion, my skin was totally fine!
I wore this sunscreen both on the dive boat and throughout my dives, as well as to go kiteboarding, and I stayed totally sunburn free! The morning before the dive I applied the lotion and sat on the top deck of the boat out to the site (about 45 minutes). During the surface interval between dives I did reapply, but coming back into the dock after the second dive I was banking on whatever was left from my reapplication. It turns out that the sunscreen is seriously water resistant!
RAW Elements also came with me kiteboarding, of which I am not very skilled and spend a lot of time under the water rather than on top of it, meaning that a good water resistant sunscreen is a must! After multiple face-plants and rubbing the saltwater out of my eyes seemingly constantly, the sunscreen didn’t run into my eyes or irritate them in any way!
The RAW Elements sunscreen is definitely one to try out for a great reef safe choice! My 3oz bottle is still going strong after wearing it for over a week. I’ll definitely be sad again when this one runs out and it’s time to try a new one!
INGREDIENTS:
Active Ingredient: Non Nano Zinc Oxide (23%)
Inactive Ingredients: Sunflower Oil*, Green Tea*, Black Tea*, Coffee Bean*, Hemp Seed Oil*, Cocoa Butter*, Mango Butter**, Beeswax*, Rosemary Oil Extract**, Vitamin E**
* USDA Certified Organic
** Certified Natural
