Can sunscreens be harmful to the environment? Pollution, spills, and diesel from ships damage marine life in seas and oceans. Despite being the main causes of the disappearance of marine flora and fauna, the truth is that they are not the only ones: sunscreens can also harm the marine ecosystem.
Traditional sunscreens usually contain chemical filters, which can be harmful to the preservation of aquatic life. That's why we should start opting for a sunscreen that uses physical filters and is ocean-friendly.
How can sunscreens harm the environment?
Some compounds commonly found in chemical sunscreens, such as oxybenzone, affect corals, bleaching them and slowing their growth, which also harms marine fauna as they have less food.
Parabens, present in much of traditional cosmetics (whether sunscreens or body creams), can also harm coral and marine fauna.
However, chemical filters are not only harmful to the environment but also to ourselves, as they are endocrine disruptors and are often more likely to cause allergies.
How to know if my sunscreen is harmful to the environment
As always, to know if your sunscreen is harmful to the environment, you just need to look at its formulation.
In short, the harmful components are those found in chemical sunscreens, the ones we are most used to seeing. Oxybenzone, cinnamates, camphor, BPA (bisphenol), benzophenones, and other synthetic petroleum-derived elements are some of the ingredients you should avoid if you want to use a sunscreen that respects marine flora and fauna.
The alternative to chemical sunscreen
The alternative to traditional sunscreens with chemical filters are physical sunscreens. The ingredients typically used to make physical sunscreens are natural mineral particles, such as zinc oxide or titanium dioxide without nanoparticles. These are natural substances that also rarely cause allergies in users.
Contrary to popular belief, physical sunscreen protects much more effectively than chemical sunscreen. What's more, sunscreens with physical filters can be applied just before sun exposure as they act like a shield, whereas chemical sunscreens need to be applied an hour before sun exposure because they need to penetrate the skin.
Why choose Maminat sunscreen?
At Maminat, we are highly committed to your health and the environment around us, which is why we have decided to create a sunscreen with a physical filter suitable for all skin types that does not harm marine flora or fauna.
Our SPF 50 sun cream is formulated solely with natural ingredients such as aloe vera, zinc oxide, and titanium dioxide, and it does not contain nanoparticles.
Furthermore, its 100ml packaging makes it ideal for packing in a suitcase and taking it wherever you want.
With this sunscreen, we have also solved one of the main problems presented by physical sun filters: their whitish color. Thanks to the vegetable and mineral pigments we have added to its formulas, we have eliminated the unpleasant white effect that sunscreens often leave on our skin.
Common questions about our physical filter sunscreen
Is it water-resistant?
Yes, but like all sunscreens, reapplication is recommended after swimming or if you sweat excessively.
What makes it better for the environment?
It does not contain ingredients toxic to oceans or corals. It is an option that respects marine life and the planet.
Is a physical filter sunscreen as effective as a chemical one?
Yes. It protects against UVA and UVB rays from the moment you apply it. The difference is that it acts by reflecting the rays instead of absorbing them, as chemical ones do.
