Buying guide for best reef-safe sunscreens
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Protecting your skin from the sun is important when you head to the beach, and using a reef-safe sunscreen is the best way to do it. Sunblocks that contain chemicals, such as oxybenzone and octinoxate (see below for the full list of ingredients to avoid), can damage and bleach coral reefs and harm marine life.
In fact, some popular tourist destinations, including Hawaii, the U.S. Virgin Islands and Key West, Florida, have banned sunscreens with these harmful chemicals. Fortunately, there are many quality reef-safe sunscreens on the market that can provide hours of water-resistant protection just as well.
Using sunscreen, such as our top pick, the mineral-based Blue Lizard SPF 50 Sensitive Mineral Sunscreen, can block UVA and UVB rays without damaging fragile coral reefs or other marine life.
Editors' picks for 2025
Blue Lizard SPF 50 Sensitive Mineral Sunscreen
Editors' Favorite
Quantity: 5 oz | Active ingredients: 8% titanium dioxide, 10% zinc oxide | SPF: 50 | Water- and sweat-resistant: Up to 80 min
There are several good reasons why many dermatologists trust the Blue Lizard SPF 50 Sensitive Mineral Sunscreen. This mineral-based product is made with ingredients that won’t harm reefs or irritate most users with sensitive skin. In addition to titanium dioxide and zinc oxide that block UVA and UVB rays, it’s infused with organic aloe that soothes delicate skin.
With a creamy consistency that’s light and moisturizing, it’s simple to rub this sunscreen into the skin before heading to the beach. Another reason that we chose it as our best of the best pick is the reliable protection it provides. You’ll get SPF 50 and up to 80 minutes of water-resistant wear.
It also has a lid that changes colors when it detects UV rays. This acts as a reminder to apply it for the protection you need to safely enjoy time in the sun. What’s more, the packaging is made from 35% recycled materials, and the lotion is vegan and cruelty-free, so you can feel good about using it.
Thinkbaby SPF 50+ Baby Mineral Sunscreen
Best for Babies
Quantity: 6 oz | Active ingredient: 23.4% zinc oxide | SPF: 50 | Water- and sweat-resistant: Up to 80 min
In addition to being reef-safe, the Thinkbaby SPF 50+ Baby Mineral Sunscreen is gentle enough to use on babies and toddlers. Not all SPF products are safe for little ones, but Thinkbaby is made especially for them with ingredients that won’t irritate their delicate skin. Formulated with 23.4% zinc oxide, this mineral sunscreen is recommended by dermatologists for babies and kids and offers broad-spectrum protection.
When you slather this rich cream on your youngster, you can feel confident that it will create a barrier that delivers SPF 50. It works on both UVA and UVB rays and stays resistant to water for as long as 80 minutes. That’s why it’s a must-have for beach days with kiddos who love to spend time on the sand and at the shore.
We also love that Thinkbaby is cruelty-free. It doesn’t contain harmful additives, but is made with plant-based ingredients that protect and moisturize. Plus, the light scent is appealing to parents who don’t want to apply harshly scented products on their kids.
Badger Biodegradable Reef-Safe Sunscreen
Best Fragrance-free Sunscreen
Quantity: 2.9 oz | Active ingredient: 25% uncoated zinc oxide | SPF: 50 | Water- and sweat-resistant: Up to 80 min
Many people don’t want the scent of sunscreen to clash with their favorite perfume or cologne. That’s one of the reasons we love the Badger Biodegradable Reef-Safe Sunscreen, which is unscented and free of artificial fragrance. It’s also made without chemicals that are known to damage reef life, and uses uncoated zinc oxide to protect against the sun’s rays.
This broad-spectrum sunscreen has SPF 50 and protects you from harmful UVA and UVB rays. You can spend up to 80 minutes in the surf thanks to its impressive ability to hold up well to water exposure. The best part is that it uses clear zinc, so it doesn’t whiten your skin; however, some users find that it is greasier than other sunscreens (perhaps due to the sunflower oil and beeswax).
In addition to being reef-safe, the ingredients in the sunscreen are 98% organic and are derived using solar-powered energy. It comes in tubes that are made from materials that are 50% recycled, and it’s also cruelty-free. These features make it a sustainable choice that won’t damage sea life.
Thrive Regenerative Skincare Bodyshield SPF 50 Sunscreen
Easiest to Rub In
Quantity: 5.8 oz | Active ingredient: 23.4% zinc oxide | SPF: 50 | Water- and sweat-resistant: Up to 80 min
When you spend time at the beach, you don’t want to spend a lot of time applying sunscreen. That’s where Thrive comes in. The company’s reef-safe BODYSHIELD 50 sunscreen has broad-spectrum protection and a creamy consistency that glides onto the skin and absorbs quickly. This makes it simple to block UV rays while basking in the sun.
In addition to being easy to rub in, this sunscreen contains plant ingredients that are soothing and moisturizing. Non-nano zinc oxide creates a protective barrier that provides SPF 50 and up to 80 minutes of water resistance. It smells nice, too, without being strong or overpowering.
Another cruelty-free option, Bodyshield is made with plant and mineral ingredients that are derived from regenerative farming in Costa Rica. These practices are sustainable for the land and the environment. We also appreciate that the tube is made with recycled plastic.
Sun Bum Mineral SPF 50 Sunscreen Body Lotion
Most Moisturizing
Quantity: 3 oz | Active ingredients: 20% zinc oxide | SPF: 50 | Water- and sweat-resistant: Up to 80 min
If you’re looking for a reef-safe sunscreen that moisturizes while it protects, the Sun Bum Mineral SPF 50 Sunscreen Body Lotion is for you. Enriched with vitamin E and antioxidants, this hypoallergenic sunscreen nourishes skin while it guards against harmful UVA and UVB rays.
Made with only reef-safe ingredients, it’s lightweight and goes on smooth. It does, however, leave a matte finish that some users felt made them look a bit pasty, which is a common issue with mineral-based sunscreens in general.
Though it’s unscented, it contains coconut oil and shea butter, so your skin feels soft and silky at the end of the day. A broad-spectrum lotion, it offers SPF 50 and 80 minutes of water-resistant wear to keep your skin well protected.
How we analyzed
In choosing reef-safe sunscreens to recommend to our readers, we researched ingredients to find out which ones will damage marine life and which are safe to use. We looked for sunscreens from companies that use minerals instead of these harmful chemicals and checked out the packaging of brands to determine their ingredients, SPF and water-resistance. We also assessed customer feedback to get insights on the product’s performance, fragrance and overall look and feel.
Why use a reef-safe sunscreen?
If you’re taking a dip in the ocean, your personal care products are also ending up in the water and affecting marine life. Scientists estimate that every year 4,000 to 6,000 metric tons of sunscreen wash off of swimmers. And the chemicals in a great number of sunscreens can damage coral reefs in a few ways, including sunscreen-induced bleaching and death.
Coral is an animal, not a plant. It’s a marine invertebrate made up of thousands of animals called polyps. When exposed to widely used chemicals in sunscreens, such as oxybenzone and octinoxate, its reproductive and endocrine system is disrupted and its DNA damaged (which leads to abnormalities and deformation), and it can cause coral bleaching.
Ingredients to avoid
The harm that these chemicals can do to coral reefs is so concerning that Hawaii passed a law in 2018 aimed at preventing damage caused by sunscreens that contain them. Hawaii Act 104, also called Senate Bill 2571, prohibits sunscreens that are made with oxybenzone and octinoxate from sale and distribution in the state. The U.S. Virgin Islands and Key West, Florida, are a few others that have similar bans.
However, these aren’t the only chemicals you should avoid if you’re looking for a sunscreen that is nontoxic to coral reefs and the ocean’s ecosystem. According to the National Ocean Service and Sustainable Tourism Association of Hawaii, some of the other common ingredients listed on sunscreen bottles to avoid include:
- Avobenzone
- Octocrylene
- Homosalate
- Octinoxate
- OD-PABA (Padimate O, ester of 4-aminobenzoic acid)
- Benzophenone-1,
- Benzophenone-8
- 4-Methylbenzylidene camphor
- 3-Benzylidene camphor,
- Nano-Titanium dioxide,
- Nano-Zinc oxide
- Butylparaben
- Enzacamene (4-methylbenzylidene camphor, 4MBC)
What’s more, sunscreen pollution adversely affects some fish populations, sea urchins and marine mammals, such as dolphins, so even if you aren’t swimming in a spot with coral reefs, it’s a good idea to avoid using these chemicals at the beach.
Reef-safe ingredients to consider
Instead of using chemical compounds to absorb harmful UVA and UVB rays from the sun, reef-safe sunscreens use physical barriers to block the sun’s rays and reflect them off your skin. You may also see physical sunscreens labeled as “inorganic” or “mineral” sunscreens. Two common ingredients that provide nonchemical sun protection include titanium dioxide and zinc oxide
Be aware, however, that both compounds must be in a form that is coated and non-nanotized in order to be considered reef safe. If not, the formula may harm coral, fish and other marine organisms due to the minuscule particle size.
Our top picks: Reef-safe ingredients
- Blue Lizard SPF 50 Sensitive Mineral Sunscreen: We love this creamy mineral sunscreen for its reef-safe ingredients and dependable protection; its active ingredients are 8% titanium dioxide and 10% zinc oxide.
- Thinkbaby SPF 50+ Baby Mineral Sunscreen: You can protect kiddos and ocean life with Thinkbaby’s mineral sunscreen, which is made with 23.4% zinc oxide.
- Badger Biodegradable Reef-Safe Sunscreen: This mineral sunscreen, which contains 25% uncoated zinc oxide, isn’t harmful to marine life, plus it’s manufactured using earth-friendly practices.
- Thrive BODYSHIELD 50: Thrive’s non-nano sunscreen is made with protective minerals, including 23.4% zinc oxide, not harmful chemicals.
- Sun Bum Mineral SPF 50 Sunscreen Body Lotion: This moisturizing mineral sunscreen uses 20% zinc oxide to protect your skin.
Sun protection
Type
Lotion and stick sunscreens are the most popular types of reef-safe sunscreens. The mineral-based ingredients are easiest to apply when made into a creamy concoction. Although less readily available, reef-safe sprays are also available. Always check the ingredients to be sure you are getting a product that’s made without chemicals that are damaging to marine animals.
SPF
Sun protection factor, or SPF, is used to grade a sunscreen’s ability to protect skin from the sun’s rays. For example, if a product’s SPF is 50, this means that it will take 50 times longer for a sunburn to occur than if you used no sunscreen at all (when used as directed).
All sunscreens have their SPF rating on the packaging. The higher the number, the better the protection. A high SPF is especially important for individuals who spend a long time in the sun.
Water resistance
In addition to SPF, sunscreens also have a water-resistant rating on their packaging. Because many sun lovers also take a dip in a pool or the ocean, it’s necessary to understand how long a particular product will last when the skin gets wet. Most quality sunscreens are water-resistant for 40 to 80 minutes, after which time they must be reapplied to maintain protection.
Our top picks: Sun protection
- Blue Lizard SPF 50 Sensitive Mineral Sunscreen, Thinkbaby SPF 50+ Baby Mineral Sunscreen, Badger Biodegradable Reef-Safe Sunscreen, Thrive BODYSHIELD 50 and Sun Bum Mineral SPF 50 Sunscreen Body Lotion: Because we only recommend the best products and know the importance of reliable sun protection, all of the top reef-safe sunscreens on our list are lotions and provide SPF 50 and 80 minutes of water resistance. Regardless of which of our favorite products you choose, you can feel confident that you can spend a lot of time in the sun and water once you apply it.
Tips
- Apply regular lotion first. Many reef-safe sunscreens are thick and leave a white cast to the skin. Apply regular lotion immediately before rubbing in these sunscreens to ease absorption.
- Choose a noncomedogenic sunscreen if your skin is acne-prone. This minimizes the chance that your sunscreen will clog your pores.
- Don’t use sunscreen on babies younger than six months. Although many reef-safe sunscreens are formulated for babies, it’s not recommended to use them on babies under six months. Instead, use clothing and shade to keep them safe from the sun.
- Use reef-safe sunscreen anywhere. You don’t have to be swimming in a locale with fragile marine life to use a reef-safe sunscreen. Because they’re less toxic than chemical-based sunscreens, you can use a reef-safe sunscreen all year round for safe, daily skin protection.
FAQ
Q. How much does reef-safe sunscreen cost?
A. Reef-safe sunscreens range in price from around $3 per ounce up to $8 or more per ounce. The amount of product in a bottle typically falls between two to eight ounces. Drugstore brands fall on the lower end of the price spectrum, while premium brands cost more. Additionally, sunscreens that are made using sustainable techniques and recycled packaging usually add to the price, but many consider them worth it for the environmental benefits they provide.
Q. If a sunscreen is labeled “biodegradable,” is that the same as reef safe?
A. Not necessarily. Biodegradable means that when exposed to moisture, heat, or other natural processes the ingredients break down into organic components. While these are generally less harmful than chemical-based sunscreens that can’t break down, some natural ingredients found in sunscreens, such as lavender or eucalyptus oil, are biodegradable but still harmful to reefs.
Q. What’s the difference between non-nanotized and non-coated nanoparticles of zinc oxide?
A. Non-nanotized (or “non-nano” for short) refers to bigger particles, above 100 nanometers in diameter. Nanoparticles of these two compounds that aren’t coated are smaller at less than 35 nanometers in diameter. Because of their minuscule size, they can interact with cells and bring toxicity to marine creatures, including fish and coral. They also can cause coral bleaching.
Our expertise
Jennifer Manfrin has been writing for BestReviews for almost 10 years, with beauty and personal care products being some of her favorite topics to cover. As a beach lover and eco-conscious consumer, she has tried many reef-safe mineral-based sunscreens over the years. She has relied on this experience, plus product research and customer feedback, to write several product reviews, buying guides and feature stories about sunscreens and what makes them good for people and safe for the environment.
