By now, we all know how important it is to protect our skin from the sun and how damaging UV rays are. We all love the sun, but prolonged unprotected exposure can damage your precious skin. In time, you see signs of sun damage like freckles, age spots, and wrinkles. Some people develop precancerous skin growths, skin cancer, or both.
Apart from these facts, most people don't know that the choice of sunscreen also plays a very important role in our environment.
Sadly there are sunscreens that contain harmful chemicals that we bring into the sea, which especially harm reefs and eco systems. In 2021 Hawaii banned sunscreen ingredients that were harming the local marine life, namely those containing oxybenzone and octinoxate.
An unimaginable amount of 14,000 tons of sunscreen ends up in the sea every year. It's time to ask yourself the question, do I really want to use sunscreen that is toxic for my skin and the eco systems around me? ''Of course you don't want to use that''

Luckily there are many alternatives nowadays!!
Look for mineral-based sunscreens containing zinc oxide and titanium dioxide as active ingredients, as they provide effective sun protection without posing harm to your skin and the marine ecosystems.
With a little research for eco-friendly sunscreen, you can go a long way toward protecting the environment; contribute to the conservation of our oceans and reefs.
Summer is a great time to enjoy the outdoors to the fullest, but as we indulge in the season's pleasure, it's necessary to remember that our actions can have a significant impact on the environment.

Sources:

https://www.merkur.de/welt/sonnencreme-uv-filter-korallen-meer-forscher-effekt-oxybenzon-
taucher-touristen-sterben-91606238.html
https://www.zdf.de/nachrichten/panorama/sonnencreme-meer-meeresbewohner-korallen-nano-
partikel-uv-filter-100.html
https://www.deutschlandfunk.de/sonnencreme-toedliche-gefahr-fuer-korallen-und-seeanemonen-
100.htmlhttps://www.ewg.org/sunscreen/report/the-trouble-with-sunscreen-chemicals/#.WWnYmjN7FE4