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Reef safe sunscreen recommendations?
#77207
12/03/2015 11:50 AM
12/03/2015 11:50 AM
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Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 1,951 St. John, USVI
RickG
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Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 1,951
St. John, USVI
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Reef safe sunscreen - are there any brands you like? I need to convert from my beloved Neutrogena Dry-Touch SPF 55. Reviews are grim to challenging for some of the products. As a swarthy Irishman I need something that will actually work. The products I'm looking at are from Bullfrog, Badger and Honest Company.
Cheers, RickG
S/V Echoes, 2003 Beneteau 423 Grenada
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Re: Reef safe sunscreen recommendations?
[Re: Sunnykm]
#77210
12/03/2015 02:17 PM
12/03/2015 02:17 PM
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Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 507 Here and There in Michigan
HoosierDaddy
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Here and There in Michigan
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Sunnykm said: Reef safe?
Why do you have to give up your Neutrogena? I don't have all the details but I seem to recall that some chemicals from sunscreen are hazarduous to live coral. Others with more knowledge will likely chime in and elaborate.
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Re: Reef safe sunscreen recommendations?
[Re: HoosierDaddy]
#77211
12/03/2015 03:25 PM
12/03/2015 03:25 PM
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Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 10,999 Macon, Georgia
GlennA
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Oxybenzone is toxic to corals but it is used in the vast majority of sunscreens because it screens UV better than anything else. Neutrogena sunscreeen has the highest percentage of Oxybenzone of all sunscreens. Coral is sensitive to Oxybenzone down to a concentration of 1 in 62 trillion. Because it filters UV better than almost anything else it is hard to find an oxybenzone free sunscreen higher than SPF30. Almost none of the formulas used by the big name producers. Here is a list of products suggested by the Environmental Working Group , that studies this sort of things.
Last edited by GlennA; 12/03/2015 03:33 PM.
Travel is fatal to prejudice, bigotry, and narrow-mindedness, and many of our people need it sorely on these accounts. - Mark Twain
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Re: Reef safe sunscreen recommendations?
[Re: GlennA]
#77212
12/03/2015 04:19 PM
12/03/2015 04:19 PM
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Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 1,951 St. John, USVI
RickG
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St. John, USVI
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Glenn, I had a look at the EWG product list. The reviews on a lot of those products are "ick." Some of the ingredient lists would work in a salad dressing if you left out the titanium and zinc oxides (Badger Sport). The replacements for Oxybenzone require you to follow their protocol to be effective - be completely dry, apply 15 minutes before dressing, rub in thoroughly, do not rub in too thoroughly, re-apply every 2 hours. Repeat.
Chris, thanks for the tip. I think my dermatologist would recommend a Burka and window shades if I asked about sunscreen. I'll report back on my preferences. With the prices for the reef safe options its a good thing I started wearing swim shirts all the time. Plus, they hide the marks my dermatologist leaves. Having a full bimini makes a big difference too.
Some of the other "scary" chemicals are Butylparaben and Octinoxate, plus 4-methylbenzylidene camphor (not sold in US).
Cheers, RickG
S/V Echoes, 2003 Beneteau 423 Grenada
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Re: Reef safe sunscreen recommendations?
[Re: RickG]
#77213
12/03/2015 06:37 PM
12/03/2015 06:37 PM
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Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 8,530 Ya never know...
HillsideView
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Posts: 8,530
Ya never know...
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Some Irishmen you guys are. A GOOD Irishman KNOWS the best sunscreen is the inside of a PUB!!
My foot fits right into my shoe and my shoe will fit right into your...
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Re: Reef safe sunscreen recommendations?
[Re: sail445]
#77217
12/04/2015 11:23 AM
12/04/2015 11:23 AM
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Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 1,951 St. John, USVI
RickG
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Posts: 1,951
St. John, USVI
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Sunnykm, most physical sunscreens are reef safe. You can check the label to see if it contains Oxybenzone, Butylparaben or Octinoxate.
I'm pulling together a list and will test drive some products. Tradewinds has used one of these products longer than anyone else I know. One of my redheaded STJ resident friends mentions using 40% zinc oxide diaper cream. She looks great, but it might be that professional dancer glow.
Cheers, RickG
S/V Echoes, 2003 Beneteau 423 Grenada
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