Is Your sunscreen destroying our reef?

“We have lost at least 80% of coral reefs in the Caribbean. Any small effort to reduce oxybenzone pollution could mean that a coral reef survives a long, hot summer, or that a degraded area recovers.” – Dr. Craig Downs

AVOID: Sunscreens containing Oxybenzone or Octinoxate & sprays, powders or SPF 50+

Coral is damaged when oxybenzone exceeds a concentration of 62 parts per trillion.

Levels near some coral reefs in the USVI were found to be 20-40x higher than that.

Look for: Sunscreens with zinc oxide or titanium oxide as the active ingredient

Make sure to read the labels before purchasing. Some sunscreens such as “Reef Safe” contain oxybenzone. In St John you can buy safe sunscreen at:

Low Key Watersports: Naked Zinc, Stream2Sea, Mexitan’s Coral Safe and Raw sunscreen.
Cinnamon Bay Watersports | Big Planet | Pig & Rooster | – Aloe Up brand
Mumbo Jumbo | Just Beach

Check out EWG’s tips on staying safe in the sun

Find these tips and more at EWG’s Sunscreen 101 at ewg.org/sunscreen

Make Your Voice Heard! Island Green is actively lobbying to ban the importation and sale of sunscreens containing the chemical oxybenzone. Contact your governor and let them know you support the chemical sunscreen ban!