7 of the best reef-safe sunscreens

The best reef-safe sunscreens will help protect you from the sun, while keeping reefs safe from chemicals. When news broke back in 2015 that oxybenzone, a common chemical in sunscreens, was incredibly toxic to young coral and other marine life, we all began to look twice at our SPF protection. Since then, more common chemicals in sunscreen formulas have been added to the list of harmful ingredients, and tropical destinations like Hawaii, Aruba, and Key West have banned products with these chemicals to protect their prized waters.

Even if chemical sunscreens are allowed in the ocean you’re swimming in, you might want to trade up for a sunscreen safe for coral reefs anyway: Many of the ingredients harmful to coral reefs are also not great for humans. Oxybenzone, preservatives, and fragrances can cause skin irritation or allergic reactions, says Jordan Carqueville, M.D., a triple board-certified cosmetic dermatologist and Mohs surgeon in Chicago. Meanwhile, oxybenzone and octinoxate—the two chemicals most harmful to coral reefs—are also being studied for their potential to interfere with human hormone production.

Luckily, there is a solid selection of sunscreen safe for coral reefs and your health. We spoke with Dr. Carqueville and Sandy Skotnicki, M.D., a Toronto-based dermatologist and co-host of the Skin to It podcast, who told us that the best reef-friendly sunscreens should have broad-spectrum coverage, SPF over 30, and no chemicals harmful to coral reefs. Our top pick, Blue Lizard Sensitive Mineral Sunscreen SPF 50+, fits the bill—in addition to containing ingredients safe for sensitive skin, so anyone can use it. 

(Does sunscreen expire? How often should you apply it? Your burning questions, answered.) 

Best overall coral reef-safe sunscreen and best reef-safe sunscreen for sensitive skin: Blue Lizard Sensitive Mineral Sunscreen SPF 50+

Buy it now on Amazon

Why we like it: Australian-based Blue Lizard is one of the most well-respected brands in the mineral-based sunscreen space. It's formulated with both titanium dioxide and zinc oxide, and doesn’t contain  reef-bleaching chemicals like oxybenzone or octinoxate. It hits all of Dr. Carqueville’s must-haves for a great sunscreen: broad-spectrum coverage to block both UVA and UVB rays, a high SPF at 50+, and is sweat- and water-resistant for up to 80 minutes. The formula goes on smooth, doesn’t feel greasy on your skin, has no scent, and rubs in with a pretty minimal white cast depending on your skin tone. It also doesn’t stain or mark clothing, which we love. 

Blue Lizard's Sensitive Skin formula is free of parabens and fragrances, too, so it works for anyone, even kids and those with easily irritated skin.

Many sunscreen chemicals can cause people to develop rashes or skin sensitivities, explains Dr. Carqueville. Mineral sunscreens in general are better for sensitive skin because they don't absorb into the skin, she says. But also, oxybenzone, preservatives, and fragrances all commonly cause skin irritation or allergies.

Blue Lizard Sensitive Mineral Sunscreen SPF 50+ earned our top spot for best overall reef-safe sunscreen—and it’s also our pick for the best reef-safe sunscreen for sensitive skin.

Blue Lizard's sunscreens also have a neat feature where the bottle and cap turn colored in sunlight as a reminder that you're being exposed to the sun’s rays and need to lather up. And at $3 per fluid ounce, it’s a good price for a reliable sunscreen the whole family can use.

Keep in mind: The formula comes out very white and takes a few minutes to soak into your skin. It dries with less white cast than most mineral formulas, but does leave somewhat of a white tint on olive or brown skin. Also, this sunscreen can feel quite thick when you’re spreading it, which some people don’t like.

Product details: SPF: 50 | Ounces: 5 | Water resistance time: 80 minutes

Best overall runner-up: Thinksport SPF 50 Mineral Sunscreen

Buy it now on Amazon

Why we like it: ThinkSun is another highly reputable brand that has been making high-quality formulas of sunscreen for decades. Its Thinksport formula is broad spectrum to protect against UVA and UVB rays, is sweat- and water-resistant for up to 80 minutes, reef- and sensitive-skin friendly without oxybenzone, avobenzone, petroleum, BPAs, phthalates, parabens, or PABA. We love that ThinkSport offers full coverage that can be used by the whole family, including kids. 

Blue Lizard’s Sensitive formula took our top spot overall because it rubs into skin better than ThinkSport’s formula does, which reviewers say leaves a marked (but not deal-breaking) white cast. However, reviewers also report one application of ThinkSport SPF 50 is incredibly long-lasting, even after snorkeling and swimming in the ocean. 

Since uber-reliable coverage is more important to some than a white cast and ThinkSport performs equally to Blue Lizard Sensitive in every other way, we thought it deserved a solid runner-up mention.

Keep in mind: ThinkSport goes on very thick and leaves a noticeable but slight white cast that does sometimes also rub off onto clothes. It’s also slightly scented, which many say is pleasant, but some with sensitive noses may not like it.

Product details: SPF: 50 | Ounces: 3 | Water resistance time: 80 minutes

Best reef-safe sunscreen spray: Blue Lizard Sensitive Mineral Sunscreen Spray

Buy it now on Amazon

Why we like it: Blue Lizard Sensitive Mineral Sunscreen Spray is the same formula that took our top spot for best overall reef-safe sunscreen but in a more convenient spray format. This formula is also broad-spectrum coverage at SPF 50. It’s free of oxybenzone and octinoxate that are harmful to both coral reefs and free of parabens, fragrances, phthalates, and other chemicals that can irritate sensitive skin. This formula also contains aloe, which leaves skin feeling hydrated after application.

Many people find a spray sunscreen more convenient to use than a lotion, even though you usually still want to rub it in. It’s also easier to cover hard-to-reach places like your back and offers a faster application, which can be great to use on kids. This formula sprays out very thick but rubs in easily to minimize the white cast and goes on smooth. 

Keep in mind: Just like with the lotion formula, Blue Lizard Sensitive Mineral Sunscreen Spray leaves a slightly white tint to your skin, even after being rubbed in. 

Also keep in mind that while spray sunscreens are more convenient, a five-ounce bottle usually doesn’t last as long as the same size of a lotion variety. 

It’s worth noting that not every city allows aerosol cans to be recycled. Also, the FDA has proposed additional tests to look closer at whether aerosol sunscreen particles might be harmful to your lungs.

Product details: SPF: 50 | Ounces: 5 | Water resistance time: 80 minutes

Best reef-safe sunscreen for face: SkinSuit Face

Buy it now at Skin Authority

Why we like it: You know you should be wearing sunscreen on your face every day, but if today calls for an ocean swim, you’ll want a reef-safe face sunscreen. Developed by skin-care brand Skin Authority, SkinSuit Face is ultra-sheer, hydrating, and spreads on silky smooth. This formula is nongreasy, lightweight, and layers great under makeup, so you can use it every day whether or not you’re at the beach.

With zinc oxide as its active ingredient, SkinSuit is a broad-spectrum formula with both UVA and UVB protection at 50 SPF. As a bonus, it also has coated mineral actives to shield against blue light, infrared radiation, and pollution. It's free of the reef-damaging chemicals of oxybenzone and octinoxate, as well as skin-irritating parabens and fragrances.

We love that this formula has a natural, sheer tint to offset the white film that comes with every mineral formula. (Pro tip: Dr. Carqueville says you can also mix your face sunscreen with a few drops of foundation to best blend to your color.) 

Keep in mind: Like most high-quality face sunscreens, SkinSuit is expensive. Also, while the tint is sheer and will blend with many skin colors, it’s formulated for lighter skin.

Product details: SPF: 50 | Ounces: 1.7 | Water resistance time: 40 minutes

Best reef-safe sunscreen for kids: Thinksport Kids Safe Sunscreen SPF 50+

Buy it now on Amazon

Why we like it: Researchers at Nova Southeastern University in 2023 reported on how important it is to protect skin from sun damage at an early age to avoid the cumulative effect of UV exposure on melanoma risk. Another 2023 study found that many sunscreens with labels targeting “children” or “kids” didn’t meet the American Academy of Pediatrics standards for what should be in a solid formula for this age group.

Thinksport Kids Safe Sunscreen is a mineral-based sunscreen with non-nano zinc oxide that’s safe for coral reefs. It’s a broad-spectrum formula with SPF 50 and is water resistant up to 80 minutes—everything the American Academy of Pediatrics says a great kids sunscreen should contain.

We also love that the formula is PABA-free, and the tube is made with plastic that’s free of BPA and phthalates, which are endocrine disruptors. 

(We got rid of BPA in some products—but are the substitutes any safer?)

The Thinksport Kids Safe Sunscreen has a formula that’s free of any irritants, which is ideal for the more sensitive skin of young ones. It’s not sticky on the skin but does leave a white cast (though some parents will view this as a pro to know every inch is covered).

Keep in mind: At $15.50 for 3 ounces, this sunscreen isn’t the most affordable. And some kids with darker skin won’t like the white cast.

Product details: SPF: 50 | Ounces: 3 | Water resistance time: 80 minutes 

Best organic reef-safe sunscreen: Badger Sport Mineral Sunscreen Cream SPF 40

Buy it now on Amazon

Why we like it: If you want to go completely organic, Badger has long been a trusted name in the environmentally friendly sunscreen space. Its reef-safe Sport cream is made with 98 percent organic ingredients, free of oxybenzone and approved for use in Mexico and Hawaii. But it’s also safe for sensitive skin: This formula is made with just four ingredients—zinc oxide, sunflower oil, beeswax & vitamin E—all of which are non-GMO and create a moisturizing, gliding cream to spread over your skin.

The Badger Sport Mineral Sunscreen Cream is SPF 40, broad-spectrum to protect against both UVA and UVB rays, and water-resistant for 80 minutes. While all zinc oxide will leave some level of white case, this sunscreen uses a “clear” version to leave as minimal a milky tint as possible.

For added sustainable bonuses, Badger’s mineral sunscreens come in tubes made of 50 percent post-consumer recycled content, and are made in the U.S. using solar power.

Keep in mind: Some people don’t like the smell of this sunscreen cream, and others report that the cream is a bit thick and sticky (likely because of the beeswax in the formula). Also, at $5.27 per ounce, this formula is expensive (though not surprising, considering the organic ingredients).

Product details: SPF: 40 | Ounces: 2.9 | Water resistance time: 80 

Best plastic-free: SurfDurt

Buy it now on Amazon

Why we like it: If you’re looking to help the planet even further beyond using a reef-safe sunscreen, consider ditching the plastic packaging entirely. SurfDurt is a mineral sunscreen that comes in a 100 percent plastic-free tub, crafted instead from bamboo with a recycled aluminum lining. This construction is not only more eco-friendly but it also helps insulate the product so it doesn’t melt if you leave it out in the sun.

(See our picks for the most eco-friendly kitchen, bathroom, and all-purpose cleaners.)

SurfDurt is made with non-nano zinc oxide, as well as lovely, skin-friendly ingredients like cocoa butter, coconut oil, jojoba oil, and beeswax. The formula is void of chemicals that hurt coral reefs or sea life. It’s UVA/UVB broad-spectrum and water-resistant for 80 minutes. 

Every purchase helps support a different charity, as denoted by the different color caps, including helping support reforestation and clean water initiatives.

Keep in mind: This formula is just 30 SPF, which is the minimum Dr. Carqueville recommends, so you’ll want to make sure you apply it thoroughly. And at $14.50 per ounce, it’s expensive.

Product details: SPF: 30 | Ounces: 2 | Water resistance time: 80 minutes

How we chose the best reef-safe sunscreen

Just because a sunscreen is labeled “reef-safe” or “reef-friendy” doesn’t mean it actually is. To determine which sunscreens adhere to the standards of both being safe for coral reefs and being effective at protecting your skin from the sun, we dug in deep and considered:

• Third-party reviews: Reviews from real people who have purchased and used each product give us insight into unbiased experiences from different types of people. 
• Brand reputation: Brands that are known for their product quality and ingredient quality stand above others. We also value skin-care brands that have a reputation for being environmentally conscious.
• Recyclable packaging: The vast majority of sunscreen comes in a plastic or aluminum tube or spray bottle. Considering you're looking for sunscreen that's reef-friendly, it's likely important to you that packaging be as eco-friendly as possible. Every city's recycling rules are different, but we tried to pick products that are largely recyclable in most places.
• Ingredients: Most mineral sunscreens made from zinc or titanium will be reef safe, but some contain micronized particles, which is thought to be harmful to marine life, Dr. Carqueville explains. The other key ingredients that are harmful for coral reefs include oxybenzone, octinoxate, Benzophenone-1, Benzophenone-2, Benzophenone-8, OD-PABA, 4-Methylbenzylidene camphor, 3-Benzylidene camphor, and octocrylene. Similarly, benzophones are a human endocrine disruptor, meaning they interfere with your hormone production, explains Dr. Skotnicki. And they often cause skin irritations, Dr. Carqueville adds.

What makes sunscreen reef-safe?

A sunscreen is considered “reef safe” if it is free of specific chemicals that have been shown to be toxic to coral. In 2015, researchers found oxybenzone, a common chemical in sunscreens, was incredibly toxic to young coral and other marine life. Since then, the National Academy of Sciences has released a comprehensive report saying certain active ingredients in sunscreens—UV filters—have been found in ocean water, sediment, and the tissue of aquatic animals, potentially disrupting aquatic ecosystems.

What are the typical reef-safe sunscreen ingredients?

The active ingredients in sunscreens that are still reef-safe are zinc oxide and titanium dioxide. Just be sure they’re “non-nano” particles, which can’t be ingested by corals. (Learn more about what “non-nano” means, and how exactly oxybenzone harms marine life.)

What ingredients are not safe for coral reefs?

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) National Ocean Service outlines which chemicals found in some sunscreens are harmful to marine life: 

• Oxybenzone
• Benzophenone-1
• Benzophenone-8
• OD-PABA
• 4-Methylbenzylidene camphor
• 3-Benzylidene camphor
• Nano-Titanium dioxide
• Nano-Zinc oxide
• Octinoxate
• Octocrylene

Here’s what the National Ocean Service says these chemicals can do: 

• Impair the growth and photosynthesis of green algae
• Accumulate in coral, inducing bleaching, damaging their DNA, deforming their young, and even killing them
• Induce defects in young mussels
• Damage the immune and reproductive systems of sea urchins
• Decrease fertility and reproduction in fish
• Accumulate in the tissues of dolphins, which can be transferred to their young

(Scientists are trying to save coral reefs. Here’s what’s working.)

Tips for buying reef-safe sunscreen

Consider the active ingredients

Look for products with the active ingredients of zinc oxide and/or titanium dioxide. These protect against harmful UV rays but are often more eco-friendly than chemical sunscreens. What you don’t want to see under active ingredients is oxybenzone or octinoxate, which are damaging to coral reefs.

(These images will help you see coral reefs in a whole new way.)

Consider SPF levels

You want to look for sunscreens that are a minimum of SPF 30, but ideally SPF 50 or higher. Most people under-apply sunscreen, so a higher SPF means if you apply half the required amount, you’re more protected, says Dr. Skotnicki.

Look for broad-spectrum

Look for sunscreens that are labeled “broad-spectrum”, which means it protects against both the harmful UVA and UVB rays from the sun, Dr. Carqueville explains.

Consider water resistance

Sunscreen only protects your skin if it stays on it. Look for waterproof reef-safe sunscreen that won’t rinse off when you go swimming (though you should still reapply every 90 minutes, even if your coverage is waterproof).