http://www.diveheart.org/

Beware of sunscreen!

Please register or login

Welcome to ScubaBoard, the world's largest scuba diving community. Registration is not required to read the forums, but we encourage you to join. Joining has its benefits and enables you to participate in the discussions.

Benefits of registering include

  • Ability to post and comment on topics and discussions.
  • A Free photo gallery to share your dive photos with the world.
  • You can make this box go away

Joining is quick and easy. Log in or Register now!

bokenhobo

New
Messages
3
Reaction score
0
Many sunscreens are actually harmful to aquatic ecosystems. Especially in high concentrations of divers/bathers that use it, sunscreen can come off and accumulate on the water's surface like an oilslick. This is a big concern at the Great Barrier Reef for example. People are encouraged to use more organic solutions for sun protection. An alternative remedy has been to use:

Sesame oil
Distilled water
Coconut oil
And one tiny glob of zinc oxide
 
Think I'll skip the skin cancer and stick with an SPF that I know works....
 
creggur:
Think I'll skip the skin cancer and stick with an SPF that I know works....

There are some organic and bio-friendly brands that work as well, so you can have an "SPF that works". Many confined water areas make you use them. That being said I doubt any combination of chemicals/oils/powders is good. Just some are less bad than others.

Try this: http://www.smartshield.com/our-formula.html
info: http://www.smartshield.com/marine-friendly.html
 
surely the Body shop or some other retail chain can come up with a Bio organic sun cream????
 
In Coz I wear a 3mm wetsuit and a beanie.

On Bonaire, I wear a .5mm wetsuit and a beanie.

The SPF is infinite and it doesn't wash off.

Terry

bokenhobo:
Many sunscreens are actually harmful to aquatic ecosystems. Especially in high concentrations of divers/bathers that use it, sunscreen can come off and accumulate on the water's surface like an oilslick. This is a big concern at the Great Barrier Reef for example. People are encouraged to use more organic solutions for sun protection. An alternative remedy has been to use:

Sesame oil
Distilled water
Coconut oil
And one tiny glob of zinc oxide
 
That's what my wife and I do, we wear a rash suit. She used to turn all pretty shades of RED after a day of snorkelling. Now she just zips up the suit and is ready to go, no fear of the lotions washing off etc..........
Thanks for the info
Joe B
 
bokenhobo:
Many sunscreens are actually harmful to aquatic ecosystems. Especially in high concentrations of divers/bathers that use it, sunscreen can come off and accumulate on the water's surface like an oilslick. This is a big concern at the Great Barrier Reef for example. People are encouraged to use more organic solutions for sun protection. An alternative remedy has been to use:

Sesame oil
Distilled water
Coconut oil
And one tiny glob of zinc oxide

This sounds more like what I would use to fry chicken mixed with some dark green veggies, minus the zinc oxide. Then again a small dab of oxide might make a nice garnish.
:D
 
https://www.shearwater.com/products/teric/

Back
Top Bottom