Sunscreen - The Best

[BRT]

I had no idea sunscreen could damage coral. but after reading the interesting article linked above, I thought I would check out the KINeSYS spray...

Clicked the link to amazon US, a fantastic deal at $14.59, or approximately just over 10 of my British pounds, not at all unreasonable for a sunscreen that will protect both me and the environment I have fallen in love with. Imagine my shock then when I go to Amazon UK and for the same product, including delivery, I am to be charged a whopping 60 British ponds, or roughly 85 and a half of your US dollars! Now I like I say, I have fallen in love with this coral subaquatic land, but at that price, I think I'll just sit in the shade!

I'll keep searching for a better option, if anyone has a tip for a coral friendly sunscreen that doesn't break the British bank, let me know! I'll update on my findings...

KINeSYS Performance Sunscreen SPF Spray Mango Scent 4-Ounce Bottles: Amazon.co.uk: Beauty

 

[desert diver paul]

KINeSYS Performance Sunscreen SPF Spray Mango Scent 4-Ounce Bottles: Amazon.co.uk: Beauty

Good spot, not sure why mango scent is cheaper though!

 

[NYCNaiad]

I burn easily, but haven't had a problem when using this sunscreen which is biodegradable and safe for the reefs: Tropical Sands - Tropical Sands® SPF 50+ Unscented Sunscreen #TS-50LZ-5. (They also have a "Coral Safe" brand, but it's only SPF 30 which is not enough for me...and frankly, I don't see why it's better than their original.)

It is a physical sunscreen (as are all reef safe sunscreens I believe) which means it doesn't really soak in like chemical sunscreens. Pro: You don't need to put it on 30 minutes before you're out in the sun. Con: It can be a little more visible then chemical sunscreens, but it is much better for the reefs so it's worth it. Just rub it a bit when you put it on so it doesn't get trapped in your nooks and crannies.

To prevent burning, I also: Wear a dive skin with a high SPF while diving and when above the water I: Wear a big hat, lots of sunscreen applied often, a rash guard/swim shirt with a high SPF in a light color so it's cooler, light weight pants, and stay under umbrellas/awnings/etc. I may not look as awesome as the women laying out in just a bikini under the sun...but I also don't have their horrible skin. I'm 43 and everyone thinks I'm 30 because I've taken such good care of my skin over the years.

 

[WrmBluH2O]

"...It is a physical sunscreen(as are all reef safe sunscreens I believe)"

Doh! Physical only. That means only one of the three brands I had mentioned earlier is reef safe. Plus, I overlooked the chemicals listed in the article provided by NWGratefulDiver, an article I'd already read no less. Think I may have been overly focused on the EWG ratings and missed the bigger point completely!

 

[JohnN]

As a scuba diver, our first priority should be choosing something that doesn't contain chemicals known to cause coral bleaching ..

Coral Reef Safe Sunscreen for Scuba Diving?

... Bob (Grateful Diver)

Sorry to be a doubting Thomas. I believe this is definitive paper on the subject: Sunscreens Cause Coral Bleaching by Promoting Viral Infections

I have two observations about the paper.

Observation the first:

I think my use of sunscreen among divers is pretty typical, I wear a rash guard top and apply sunscreen only to my face. The 2 mg/cm^2 application rate is in excess of what I use, but even given that rate, and using 370 cm^2 as the area of the face (What is the surface of human face in square meters) I get only ~750 mg (0.026 oz)

So the amount of sunscreen in use is about 7.5% of what the authors were calculating​

Observation the second:

The authors looked at relatively high concentrations of sunscreen (10, 33,50, 100 uL/L) and even at the "low" concentrations tested, while there was noticeable bleaching, I cannot reconcile those concentrations to practical conditions. There is nothing I can find in the paper to support those types of concentrations for divers. Even with zero current (unlikely), there is whole lot of water being traversed that is constantly trying to dilute that sunscreen. Again I use "waterproof" sunscreen so it is being diluted by the water at an extremely slow rate.

Barring physical contact with the reef with sunscreen contaminated skin, I just don't see this happening.
​

So "interesting" paper, I'm certain it helps to sell alternative sunscreens, I'm not convinced it is relevant.

​

 

[2airishuman]

I keep my use of sunscreen to a minimum.

During surface intervals, I wear a rashguard (above the waist only), a hat, and convertible pants (that can turn into shorts). These are all lightweight and cool. In cooler weather I switch to a long sleeve cotton t-shirt. I have long hair so my ears and neck are covered, although the hat helps with this too. If I use sunscreen at all it's on difficult areas like the backs of my hands, tops of my feet, and tip of my nose.

In future I might try some of the one-piece full body rash guards with a zipper, especially if the water is warm enough that I don't want a wetsuit.

To prevent burning, I also: Wear a dive skin with a high SPF while diving and when above the water I: Wear a big hat, lots of sunscreen applied often, a rash guard/swim shirt with a high SPF in a light color so it's cooler, light weight pants, and stay under umbrellas/awnings/etc. I may not look as awesome as the women laying out in just a bikini under the sun...but I also don't have their horrible skin. I'm 43 and everyone thinks I'm 30 because I've taken such good care of my skin over the years.

This.

People of whatever gender can look just as good in a tight rashguard as in outfits that show more skin.

 

[TMHeimer]

Very little of my face touches the water, between the hood and mask. Most of the time we're not talking the tropics, but for the surface intervals & before & after the dives I need very strong stuff as my face has had some pre-cancerous stuff frozen off. Then again, 99% of my dives have been reefless anyway. Not too concerned about affecting the seaweed and rocks.

 

[NYCNaiad]

Sorry to be a doubting Thomas. I believe this is definitive paper on the subject: Sunscreens Cause Coral Bleaching by Promoting Viral Infections

This isn't the only paper on the subject, but I agree it is something that needs to be studied more. However, choosing a physical sunscreen is generally also less toxic on our own skins. Just look at Hall of Shame | EWG's 2015 Guide to Sunscreens and Best Beach & Sport Sunscreens | EWG's 2015 Guide to Sunscreens.

So there's no real downside in choosing a sunscreen that is definitely better for me and may be better for the reefs and the marine life in general.

 

[MAKO Spearguns]

Possibly the most environmentally responsible method is to cover up. Long sleeve rash guard, a hat, shades, lycra hood (in the water) and a "tube scarf" on the boat provide excellent protection without the mess of sunscreen.





Tube Scarf | MAKO Spearguns

Spearfishing Rash Guard with Removable Hood | MAKO Spearguns

 

[WrmBluH2O]

Oooh, I like the tube scarf!