Protection of coral reefs

You don't need to be a marine biologist to understand that pollution of the marine environment with such substances significantly disrupts marine life and places toxic strains on the corresponding microenvironments. The true extent of the damage is the subject of ongoing investigations. Some chemical sunscreen filters are now known to be particularly harmful to marine life. These include oxybenzone and octinoxate, as well as octocrylene and its degradation products, the benzophenones. The latter are also suspected of being carcinogenic to humans and have a significant impact on our hormonal system.

In order to protect the health, life, and breathtaking beauty and diversity of coral reefs, legislative initiatives have been underway for several years in Hawaii, the South Seas (Palau), and increasingly in other regions as well, banning the use of the chemicals mentioned above in sunscreens. Sunscreens that are free of these substances are therefore allowed to carry the "Coral Reef Safe" label. However, we must understand that there is certainly no such thing as truly "Coral Reef Safe." What is important is that we raise our awareness of the responsible use of chemicals and all substances in skin care and skin protection products, and also consider what happens to the substances after they have been on our skin, into which waterways or wastewater they end up, and whether they are biodegradable or whether they are returned to our life cycle or the food chain (e.g. via fish).

In any case, we should protect ourselves not only with sunscreen, but also, wherever possible, with clothing and hats, or even better, and only apply sunscreen where the skin is directly exposed to the sun and therefore cannot be protected other than with sunscreen. This applies to all skin types, but especially to people with fair skin, little natural protection, and high sun sensitivity.