Snorkeling Sunscreen
Our Favorites & The "Evil" Ones
Snorkeling as much as we do, we use a lot of sunscreen, having spent hundreds of dollars over the years on this necessary goop (although less than we used to since we started wearing long sleeve rash guards).
Here we share our favorite "evil" snorkeling sunscreens (the ones thought to harm coral) and our research about "good" snorkeling sunscreen that are biodegradable and reef friendly. And this reef friendly sunscreen is becoming a real issue, so make sure and read that stuff also. Because not only will you possibly be harming the reef with the "evil" stuff, but you may also be refused entry into the water in many areas if you try to use it.
We also share some handy tips about how to use sunscreen and not get burned. Because getting a bad sunburn can ruin a snorkeling trip. And you will get burned, very quickly, without some form of protection. The water magnifies the intensity of the sun. Remember also that you can get a good burn on a cloudy day, so protect yourself then also.
What We Look For In A Snorkeling Sunscreen
- Obviously it needs to keep us from getting burned (and protect our skin from damaging UV light).
- Waterproof (OK water-resistant is more likely).
- Goes on easily and does not leave us feeling greasy, looking pasty white, or stinking to high heaven (we don't like heavily scented sunscreen).
- Ideally, reef friendly also.
Our Past Favorite Snorkeling Sunscreens That Work
First we have to mention that we have been pretty ignorant about the whole reef friendly sunscreen issue (read more below). So our favorites of the past do not meet the reef friendly standard. But here they are:
Coppertone Sport - Waterproof and Ultrasweatproof - Broad Spectrum - SPF 15 & 30 (they also make a SPF 50 and 70)
We used this stuff for years, and been rather blown away by how good it works in the water. For a month of snorkeling in Hawaii we became completely confident in this product, knew we would not get burned, even after an extended period in the water mid-day (see our application tips below). Over time though Nicole started to develop a bit of a sensitivity to it (it's smell mostly), and so we started using the one below.
Banana Boat Sport Performance - Waterproof and Ultrasweatproof - Broad Spectrum - SPF 15 & 30
This is a pretty good product. It had a better texture on the skin, drying in a non-greasy way, and smelled better than the Coppertone. It worked great until they changed the formulation. Suddenly it no longer said waterproof, but was water-resistant. And it did not work at all. It washed off easily and we got burned. But, we have recently noticed it is once again saying that it is waterproof and ultrasweatproof, so maybe they have fixed it?
Now learn about this whole reef friendly thing.
You May Not Be Allowed In The Water Unless You Have Biodegradable Sunscreen
Biodegradable reef friendly snorkeling sunscreen is becoming a real issue that you probably want to consider. It's now commonly believed that specific sunscreen chemicals are very harmful to coral reefs, harmful as in killing them quickly. Learn more about this here at National Geographic. . In popular snorkel destinations there are so many sunscreened people in the water that you can see a film on the water from all the sunscreen washing off (we have seen it). So frankly we are not too surprised.
This issue with reef friendly sunscreen is getting serious enough that some popular destinations have made it a law. We have seen it starting in Hawaii, on cruise ships and on snorkel boat tours. And in Cozumel, Mexico (one of the most popular snorkeling cruise ship destinations) they will not let you in protected waters with a non-approved biodegradable sunscreen. I am sure there are other places doing this we are unaware of.
Specifically, the top brands are not currently considered reef friendly, including Coppertone, Hawaiian Tropic, Banana Boat, No-Ad, and Panama Jack.
Not surprisingly, many of the same chemicals that are being shown to be bad for the reef may not be that great for us humans either. So it is probably smart all around to use a more reef friendly and human friendly sunscreen, particularly if you use a lot of it.
But this is not an environmental rant. We have always used the "evil" stuff (we plead ignorance), because it works. But with the new restrictions happening, and considering how bad the "evil" stuff may be (for us and the reef), we are going to try to switch to reef friendly sunscreens (after all, if we don't who will?).
In fact on our very next snorkeilng trip in Bonaire we are going to test six different reef friendly snorkeling sunscreens and report back to you on how they worked and our favorite.
So what are you looking for? You are looking for biodegradable sunscreens that are marked reef friendly. Note that just biodegradable is not enough. To make it even more confusing many common healthy biodegradable brands have some of those "evil" chemicals in them, even though they will biodegrade. If a sunscreen is biodegradable it will say so. And if it is reef friendly, it will likely say so (they won't miss that marketing advantage). It may also be labeled as eco-friendly. But keep in mind there are no laws about what reef friendly really means.
Here are the options we know about. The first six of which we are going to be testing soon. If you know others, click here to tell us about them.
Current Reef Friendly Snorkeling Sunscreens
Caribbean Solutions - (pictured at right)
This stuff really does appear to have nice ingredients compared to the "evil" stuff:
Aloe Vera Leaf, Natural Titanium Dioxide, Natural Zinc Oxide, Wild Pansy Extract, Green Coffee Bean Extract, Hibiscus, Cucumber Extract, Melon Extracts, Organic Sunflower Oil, Vitamin E from corn, Organic Jojoba Oil, Theobroma Cacao Seed Butter and Cetyl Alcohol.
Wow, I don't need a special chemical dictionary to read that list. Read more about their ingredients compared to others here.
I have read several good reviews of their products, the only real downside is that it takes a bit more rubbing to get it on.
We will test this one and review it.
They also have a good tip section here on their site about how to apply it without getting all white looking.
UV Natural
This product has nice looking ingredients and some good reviews. Mostly folks say it works good, but is very thick. You have to warm it up and use very little of it. You can see the ingredients below. It is also very expensive.
Zinc Oxide 24.8% and Caprylic/capric triglycerides (Derived from Coconut Oil), Fumed Silica (Colloidal Anhydrous Silica), Zinc Stearate, Vitis vinifera (grape seed) oil, Macadamia ternifolia seed oil, Camellia Oleifera(green tea) extract, Vitis vinifera (grape seed) extract, Tocopherol (Natural vitamin E), Lavandula Angustifolia (Lavender), Fusanus spicatus (sandalwood oil), Pogostemon cablin oil (Patchouli), Iron Oxides.
Mexitan
This is one of the more popular reef friendly options, particularly in Mexico. We have seen mixed reviews about it's effectiveness in the water. Read ingredients here.
We will test this one and review it.
Badger SPF30
We have really enjoyed their other balm products in the past, and their sunscreen gets great reviews from users, plus it has nice ingredients.
We will test this one and review it.
Soleo Organics
This one gets good user reviews and has nice looking ingredients. It is pretty expensive. We will test it.
Beach Buff Snorkeling Sunscreen - Used by the Pacific Whale Foundation in Hawaii & The American Lifeguard Association
This sunscreen takes a different approach. Instead of getting rid of all the ingredients that are supposed to be bad for the reef (but are excellent at keeping you from getting burned), they instead limit them and focus on making the sunscreen very waterproof, so that the ingredients don't wash off into the water. Through independent testing it was shown that less than 3 percent of the product came off, compared to 29 percent of most sunscreens. To us this idea makes sense. You want it to stay on doing it's job. It is also a highly biodegradable product. They claim to be the only product that substantiates their claims to be biodegradable and reef friendly through independent testing.
We will test this one and review it.
More info about Beach Buff's reef safe biodegradability testing here.
Interestingly Beach Buff also suggests that the common ingredient zinc oxide in many of the other reef-friendly sunscreens is known to be toxic to sealife.
Who knows the truth of all these things? I am not smart enough to figure it all out. I just want something that works and that I can feel good about using (not hurting the reef).
More Reef Friendly Snorkeling Sunscreen Options
(that we are not yet going to test)
Burt's Bees Chemical-Free Sunscreen SPF 30
It might be an option. I don't see it marked as biodegradable though, so it may not pass inspection.
Batab
Another reef friendly recommended sunscreen primarily available in Mexico. We can't find out much more about it.
Luvea Neutral
We see this recommended on the web as a good reef friendly sunscreen but cannot find anything out about it.
OK. Now learn some more about snorkeling sunscreen before you make your choice.
What SPF For Snorkeling Sunscreen?
It depends on your skin type, the product, and how you are using it. We tend to use a SPF 30 without getting burned when snorkeling for an hour. But we also don't get much color. So we will then tend to switch to SPF 15 after a few days (so we don't stay white). We don't recommend you get anything less than SPF 15. And we have found that anything above 30 tends to become very hard to apply, and not do any better.
Keep in mind that SPF is only a measure of effectiveness against UV-B (the type of ultraviolet radiation that causes sunburn), not UV-A (the kind of radiation that causes invisible damage - you won't feel or see it immediately).
For UV-A protection you need what is called a broad spectrum sunscreen. Most sunscreens are now broad spectrum, but just make sure it indicates it covers UVA & UVB.
Waterproof vs. Water-Resistant Snorkeling Sunscreen
Don't use any sunscreen snorkeling unless it is marked at least water-resistant, and better yet waterproof. So what is the difference between the two?
Lots of sunscreens used to claim they were waterproof or sweatproof. But in 2006 a class action lawsuit against the major sunscreen companies forced some clarity into the issue (we always wondered why our favorite sunscreens suddenly changed how they were labeled). Now waterproof and water-resistant have specific meanings in the U.S.
Waterproof means it is effective in the water for up to 80 minutes.
Water-resistant means it is effective in the water for up to 40 minutes.
That means that no matter what, you will have to reapply it if you are going back into the water for a second snorkel (we do).
Physical vs. Chemical Snorkeling Sunscreen - The White Stuff vs. All the Rest
Physical Sunscreens - (Titanium Dioxide or Zinc Oxide)
These actually physically reflect, scatter and block the sun's UV rays. Generally we have not liked the texture and appearance of these types of sunscreens in the past. They tended to be difficult to apply, be pasty in texture and leave you looking white. It also tended to get on everything else (clothes, seats, etc) and be hard to remove.
But there is a new method being used called micronized zinc oxide (or micronized titanium dioxide). Basically it rubs in better and does not leave you as white. We will be interested to try these in our test mentioned above.
Chemical Sunscreens (currently Avobenzone (Parsol 1789) and Mexoryl SX (Tinosorb))
Chemical sunscreens actually absorb instead of reflecting UV rays. They go on easier, leave no color, and are generally nicer to use. But they are chemical based, and there are concerns of free radicals and are not good for people with sensitive skin.
Note that all but one of the reef friendly products above are physical sunscreens, because the major chemicals used in chemical sunscreens are bad for the coral.
Nanoparticles & Snorkeling Sunscreen
Of some concern in snorkeling sunscreens is nanoparticles. Basically it is really small particles that people are afraid will be able to penetrate their skin and cause health problems. A handful of the reef friendly products above use micronized zinc & titanium, but most of them clearly state that their particles are not nano-sized. Badger has some good info about nano-tech sized particles and micronized zinc oxide here. Most of the reef friendly products above do not use nano-particles. For more about nanoparticles and sunscreen click here (lots of the sunscreens use it - 300 in the US, and 1200 in Australia).
Lotion vs. Spray For Snorkeling Sunscreen
We have not really tried the sprays much. Then tend to be alcohol based which we don't enjoy for the smell or feel. Plus you are not supposed to spray your face. Another negative is that a lot of the product is lost in the air. Additionally there are some issues traveling with an aerosol pressurized container on an airplane that we want to avoid (although some spray sunscreens are really pump sprays).
Snorkeling Sunscreen Storage
Do not store sunscreens in very hot places (in your car) as extreme heat can ruin their protective chemicals.
Our Snorkeling Sunscreen Application Tips
Apply it 20 to 30 minutes before you get in the sun or the water. It makes it work much better and will not wash off as easy.
Reapply often. Remember, there is no such thing as a waterproof sunscreen, only water-resistant. We reapply regularly. Most suggestions say every two hours. But we reapply whenever we can, particularly after getting out of the water (if we are staying in the sun, or going back in the water).
Sunscreen rubs off. Nicole has burned her bum because she applied sunscreen to her backside, and then sat on seats on a snorkel boat. It rubs off. And I have had burned shoulders because I applied sunscreen, then walked down to the beach with the snorkel bag strap rubbing on my shoulder. So be aware.
Also, don't forget your lips. Get a good sunscreen lip balm. It is not so much for when your face is in the water when snorkeling, but before and after.
Speaking of having your face in the water. Do we sunscreen our faces? No. We try not to sunscreen our faces when we are snorkeling. It makes it hard for the mask to seal and it runs into our eyes. We do sunscreen our ears, necks, chins, and sometimes a little on the high forehead. We just make sure to wear sunhats when not in the water.
Snorkeling Sunscreen Alternatives
Frankly, we don't really like having to use sunscreen. Particularly when we get in and out of the water two or three times a day on a trip. So what are the alternatives? For the last couple of years we have been wearing rash guards on our tops, mainly so we did not have to use as much sunscreen. There are other advantages. Read more here about using rash guards.
That is pretty much all we know at this point about sunscreens. Sign up for our newsletter so you don't miss our review of the top six reef friendly sunscreens.
More Info
Interesting related topic. In Australia there is a government program looking to create a sunscreen by studying how coral protects itself from the sun.
Problematic Chemicals
We have seen the following list of chemicals posted around the net as being the bad ones in sunscreens. So if you want to go reef friendly maybe avoid these in sunscreen products. The problem is we can hardly find a product without some of those things in it. And we keep seeing the same list everywhere, which means it was all probably copied from one place, so who knows if it is reliable. The cosmeticsdatabase.com website may help, it ranks sunscreens based on health concerns.
The main ones to avoid are these:
parabens
cinnamates
benzophenones (oxybenzone)
camphor derivatives
Here is a broader list (I am not sure if this list is just the ones bad for the reef, or a broader list of ones bad for people):
PABA
Octocrylene
Polyethylene
Dimethyl Capramide
Benzophenone -3
Butyl-Methoxydibenzoylmethane
Hexyldecanol
Cetyl Dimethicone
Polyethylene
Butylcarbamate
Octinoxate
Oxybenzone
4-methylbenzylidene
Camphor Oils
Methylparaben
Propylparaben
Butylparaben
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