Should I be worried about my sunscreen?

These are all important issues. Sunscreen is being used in almost every country on this planet. Too much sun damages skin, causes skin cancer, and speeds up skin aging. Therefore, more sunscreen is likely to be used in the future.  Supporting Hawaii’s ban makes sense!

Environmental considerations:

• Coral reef health world wide is deteriorating, and there are many reasons for that. If we can identify causes and reduce them, we should!  Supporting Hawaii’s ban may help, as will being mindful when we go to other places to swim, snorkel, scuba, etc. near coral reefs.
• Hormone disruption could occur, but is difficult to prove. Just don’t eat the stuff or put it all over your body for long periods of time.
• Allergic reactions to sunscreen chemicals can occur with any of them, except perhaps zinc or titanium. Reactions to the last two are very rare.

What we can do to help:

• When traveling to coral reef areas, read the labels of the sunscreen you take and the labels of sunscreen you buy there. Avoid oxybenzone and octinoxate sunscreen!
• Remember that just using protective clothing cuts down your need for sunscreen.
• For example, a “sun shirt” or rash guard, which can be found online, in surfing stores, and outdoor suppliers, keeps you from having to sunscreen from the neck to the waist.
• When snorkeling, I use a thin pair of black, footless tights under my suit to keep from burning, and I don’t have to apply sunscreen on my legs! I just pretend it’s a new sexy trend. 😉
• There are very thin, full body suits for long distance swimmers that you can order.

Let me know if any of you find other products or ideas that would help!