PROTECTING YOUR SKIN AND THE SEA
Making the right choices in how to protect yourself from the sun is harder than ever before. Reports over the last few years have shown that the sunscreen we have to wear is having a hugely damaging effect on one of our most amazing ecosystems – coral reefs along with other aquatic life. More research is also being released that the ingredients doing damage to our plants, could also be harming us.
So where do we begin? How do you choose a product that is right for you, the guests, the planet, and still do what is says on the tin without leaving you (or the deck) covered in greasy cream?
What's the issue?
In July of 2018, Hawaii became the first U.S. state to ban the sale of sunscreen containing the two common chemicals, oxybenzone and octinoxate, which researchers worldwide have deemed potentially harmful to aquatic life. These ingredients were very common in most sunscreens and these (among other chemicals) wash off our skin and into the sea and waterways. It is estimated this figure can be up to 6000 tons globally each year!
These chemicals bleach and damage the reef, impair new growth by interrupting the photosynthesis process and can be absorbed by fish and mammals affecting their fertility. After being confirmed that oxybenzone and octinoxate are having such a drastically detrimental effect on reefs, there is ongoing research happening into how these particular ingredients affect humans too. The good news is, however, that in the last few years companies are adapting to offer us alternatives.
What's the solution?
All scientists agree that even if you want to avoid harmful ingredients in sunscreen we should all be protecting ourselves from the sun's rays. Covering up, staying out of the sun during the hottest part of the day and wearing protective swimwear can be helpful. But we all need sunscreen onboard for crew and have high quality and effective options to offer guests.
The Science - Chemical V’s Mineral Sunscreen
There are 2 main options available on the market and it is important to understand briefly how they work so you can make a decision about what you want and why they contain different ingredients. Traditional 'chemical' sunscreen has active ingredients that are designed to absorb and dissipate the UVA/B rays whereas ‘mineral’ sunscreen uses active ingredients that reflect the rays.
Not all ‘chemical’ sunscreens are bad, but you do need to check the active ingredients used. Avoid Oxybenzone/ benzophenone-3, Avobenzone, Homosalate, Octinoxate/octyl methoxycinnamate and Octocrylene, especially if you want to find one that is the least damaging to the Ocean. We all remember the mineral/Zinc sunscreens of our youth with thick white paste being lathered on a nose when skiing or on the beach. Luckily for us, this is no longer the case and there are now mineral sunscreens that are applied like traditional creams.
Whatever your preference thankfully there is now an option for you. Here are our top choices available in Spain now (we will edit as our range expands).
COOLA – BEST FOR GUEST
Developed on the sunny California coast where they know a lot about sun rays! Packaged in recyclable and recycled materials and sugar-cane plastic, Coola is aesthetically pleasing and easy to apply. They offer a range of SPFs and scents (all naturally fragranced) and also in a traditional formula and mineral depending on your preference. The traditional range is free from all and any nasties that could be harmful to the sea or people and their powerful plant ingredients are 70% organic.
SOL DE IBIZA – GREAT FOR ON THE GO
If you are looking for 100% plastic and chemical-free sunscreen then you don’t need to look far from home! This brand, developed in Ibiza, use certified natural and organic ingredients, including Aloe Vera from Ibiza, and never use fragrances or preservatives. They are vegan and never tested on animals and are totally reef-safe. They only use plastic-free packaging all being packaged in handy tins so no leaks. Sol de Ibiza offers broad-spectrum (UVA & UVB) protection for all the family, using Non-Nano Zinc Oxide as a filter.
So where do we begin? How do you choose a product that is right for you, the guests, the planet, and still do what is says on the tin without leaving you (or the deck) covered in greasy cream?
What's the issue?
In July of 2018, Hawaii became the first U.S. state to ban the sale of sunscreen containing the two common chemicals, oxybenzone and octinoxate, which researchers worldwide have deemed potentially harmful to aquatic life. These ingredients were very common in most sunscreens and these (among other chemicals) wash off our skin and into the sea and waterways. It is estimated this figure can be up to 6000 tons globally each year!
These chemicals bleach and damage the reef, impair new growth by interrupting the photosynthesis process and can be absorbed by fish and mammals affecting their fertility. After being confirmed that oxybenzone and octinoxate are having such a drastically detrimental effect on reefs, there is ongoing research happening into how these particular ingredients affect humans too. The good news is, however, that in the last few years companies are adapting to offer us alternatives.
What's the solution?
All scientists agree that even if you want to avoid harmful ingredients in sunscreen we should all be protecting ourselves from the sun's rays. Covering up, staying out of the sun during the hottest part of the day and wearing protective swimwear can be helpful. But we all need sunscreen onboard for crew and have high quality and effective options to offer guests.
The Science - Chemical V’s Mineral Sunscreen
There are 2 main options available on the market and it is important to understand briefly how they work so you can make a decision about what you want and why they contain different ingredients. Traditional 'chemical' sunscreen has active ingredients that are designed to absorb and dissipate the UVA/B rays whereas ‘mineral’ sunscreen uses active ingredients that reflect the rays.
Not all ‘chemical’ sunscreens are bad, but you do need to check the active ingredients used. Avoid Oxybenzone/ benzophenone-3, Avobenzone, Homosalate, Octinoxate/octyl methoxycinnamate and Octocrylene, especially if you want to find one that is the least damaging to the Ocean. We all remember the mineral/Zinc sunscreens of our youth with thick white paste being lathered on a nose when skiing or on the beach. Luckily for us, this is no longer the case and there are now mineral sunscreens that are applied like traditional creams.
Whatever your preference thankfully there is now an option for you. Here are our top choices available in Spain now (we will edit as our range expands).
COOLA – BEST FOR GUEST
Developed on the sunny California coast where they know a lot about sun rays! Packaged in recyclable and recycled materials and sugar-cane plastic, Coola is aesthetically pleasing and easy to apply. They offer a range of SPFs and scents (all naturally fragranced) and also in a traditional formula and mineral depending on your preference. The traditional range is free from all and any nasties that could be harmful to the sea or people and their powerful plant ingredients are 70% organic.
SOL DE IBIZA – GREAT FOR ON THE GO
If you are looking for 100% plastic and chemical-free sunscreen then you don’t need to look far from home! This brand, developed in Ibiza, use certified natural and organic ingredients, including Aloe Vera from Ibiza, and never use fragrances or preservatives. They are vegan and never tested on animals and are totally reef-safe. They only use plastic-free packaging all being packaged in handy tins so no leaks. Sol de Ibiza offers broad-spectrum (UVA & UVB) protection for all the family, using Non-Nano Zinc Oxide as a filter.
