Popular Sunscreens may become scarce in Florida!
Following suit to the Hawaiian Legislation; Key West just voted to ban the sale of sunscreens that contain oxybenzone and octinoxate ingredients. After extensive research these ingredients which wash off of your skin while swimming and are “bleaching” and breaking down the oceans reef system.
“Recent studies have found that sunscreen chemicals in many popular products actually hurt corals. The main chemical culprits are oxybenzone and octinoxate, which convert sunburn-causing UV rays into harmless heat on human skin. But once these chemicals are in the water, they actually decrease corals’ defenses against bleaching, damaging their DNA and hurting their development. It’s almost as though sunscreen for humans has the opposite effect for corals! This damage, along with harm from other stressors including ocean acidification, water pollution, rising sea temperatures, and coral disease, prevents corals from successfully reproducing and surviving in current marine environments.” ~Oceanconservancy.org
Don’t panic; there are many sunscreens available that do not contain these ingredients…and with the popularity of UPF gear, your skin will be protected! Look for skin care products that contain titanium oxide or zinc oxide which are considered natural alternatives to oxybenzone and octinoxate. Not only will you be protecting the ecosystem, but you will also be placing less toxic ingredients on your family's skin.
A few Mineral based Sunscreens we have loved for our family are:
* Thinkbaby:https://shop.gothinkbaby.com/Thinkbaby-Safe-Sunscreen-SPF-50-3oz_p_223.html
*Beautycounter:https://www.beautycounter.com/product/protect-broad-spectrum-spf-30-all-over-sunscreen