Lets Talk Suncreen

The Smart Traveller’s Guide to Reef-Safe Sunscreen

If you’re planning a trip abroad, sunscreen is one of those holiday essentials you simply can’t dowithout. But in recent years, travellers have been caught out by something unexpected — in certain countries, the sunscreen you’ve been using at home might not be welcome at your destination.

Why? Because some common sunscreen ingredients have been linked to coral reef damage and marine pollution. Many popular beach destinations have introduced bans to protect their delicate ecosystems, and these rules apply not only to divers and snorkellers but to anyone wearing sunscreen in or near the sea.

Why Reef Safety Matters

Coral reefs are often called the “rainforests of the sea” — home to 25% of all marine life. But they are under serious threat from climate change, pollution, and yes, even sunscreen. Studies show that certain chemicals, like oxybenzone and octinoxate, can contribute to coral bleaching, damage DNA in coral larvae, and harm other marine life. These ingredients wash off into the water when we swim, snorkel, orshower near the beach. Over time, the impact is devastating for coral health and the species that depend on it.

Countries with Sunscreen Ingredient Bans

Several destinations now ban or restrict sunscreens containing reef-harming chemicals. The list is growing, but here are some popular travel spots with rules in place:

Thailand – Certain marine parks (including areas around Koh Samet, Koh Phi Phi, and parts of Phuket) prohibit sunscreens containing oxybenzone, octinoxate, and a few other chemicals.

🌴Hawaii (USA) – Ban on the sale of sunscreens containing oxybenzone and octinoxate; additional restrictions in some areas.

🌴Palau – Ban on sunscreens containing a list of 10 harmful chemicals, with fines for bringing them into the country.

🌴Bonaire – Ban on the sale of sunscreens with oxybenzone and octinoxate.

🌴US Virgin Islands – Prohibition of several sunscreen chemicals.

🌴Aruba – Ban on oxybenzone-based sunscreens.

Before you travel, always ask your travel consultant or check local regulations. These bans are about protecting local wildlife and habitats, so being informed ensures you can enjoy your trip without breaking the rules.

Tropic’s Great Barrier Sun Lotions – Safe for You and the Planet

Tropic’s Great Barrier Sun Lotions are free from oxybenzone, octinoxate, and other ingredients known to harm coral reefs. Instead, they use non-toxic, broad-spectrum mineral and safe synthetic filters to protect your skin from UVA and UVB rays. They’re also:

👉the first sun care range in Europe to be certified by Protect Land & Sea

👉ocean-friendly and reef-safe

👉vegan and cruelty-free

👉 infused with skin-loving botanicals like green algae, coconut and Illawarra plums

👉water-resistant for up to 40 minutes

That means you can travel confidently, knowing your sunscreen is as kind to the planet as it is to your skin.

Travel Tip: Check Before You Pack

🌞Always check your sunscreen’s ingredient list before your trip.

🌞Look for labels like “reef-safe” or “ocean-friendly” — but remember, these aren’t regulated terms, so still check the ingredients.

🌞Keep your sunscreen in your carry-on if travelling to a destination with strict customs rules (like Palau).

Glow Naturally, Wherever You Go

Your skin deserves protection, and the planet deserves care. By choosing reef-safe sunscreen, you’re making a small change with a big impact — protecting not just yourself, but the beautiful destinations you travel to.

Disclaimer: The information in this blog is based on my own research and is not approved or endorsed by Tropic Skincare. Regulations may change, so please check current local laws before travelling.

Guest Blogger: Caroline Gipson - Independent Tropic Skincare Ambassador