HOw we classify ingredients
The active ingredients in sunscreens can be broadly split into two groups. They are either called Organic and Inoragnic - to describe their chemical makeup, or Chemical and physical to describe how they protect you. All these terms can be a bit of a nightmare - we only choose products that contain Non-Nano Zinc Oxide or Titanium Dioxide.
Research is starting to show negative environmental impacts for many Organic/chemical ingredients so we are looking to the safer options of physical/mineral based sunscreens as a low impact alternative. It would be too easy if one simple changed fixed everything... Unfortunately, the term reef-safe is not regulated, and to avoid an ashy white sunscreen many manufactures have turned to nano-zinc (and other nano-sized minerals). Nano-particles can be 100,000 times smaller than a human hair which is not good for the environment either, so for now, embracing that white and reflective sunscreen face is the way to go. If you really want to avoid the look or you have a darker skin tone try our Stream 2 Sea tinted sunscreen or the Badger Clear Zinc!
Sunscreen works to protect us from Ultra Violet (UV) Radiation from the sun. This radiation is split into different wavelengths, so we need a 'broad spectrum' sunscreen to make sure we are protecting ourselves from all the nasty side effects. All of our sunscreens provide broad spectrum coverage.
Research is starting to show negative environmental impacts for many Organic/chemical ingredients so we are looking to the safer options of physical/mineral based sunscreens as a low impact alternative. It would be too easy if one simple changed fixed everything... Unfortunately, the term reef-safe is not regulated, and to avoid an ashy white sunscreen many manufactures have turned to nano-zinc (and other nano-sized minerals). Nano-particles can be 100,000 times smaller than a human hair which is not good for the environment either, so for now, embracing that white and reflective sunscreen face is the way to go. If you really want to avoid the look or you have a darker skin tone try our Stream 2 Sea tinted sunscreen or the Badger Clear Zinc!
Sunscreen works to protect us from Ultra Violet (UV) Radiation from the sun. This radiation is split into different wavelengths, so we need a 'broad spectrum' sunscreen to make sure we are protecting ourselves from all the nasty side effects. All of our sunscreens provide broad spectrum coverage.
The term Organic Ingredients just means compounds with a carbon-carbon bond. Zinc Oxide and Titanium Dioxide don't have these bonds so are classed as Inorganic.... You might also hear the terms chemical and physical sunscreen these terms refer to the way in which the compounds work to block the suns rays. Chemical sunscreens typically work by absorbing the UV, whereas physical sunscreens reflect and scatter the UV. Chemical sunscreens normally refer to products with 'organic compounds (think Oxybenzone, Octinoxate etc.) and physical or mineral sunscreen is talking about inorganic compounds like the Zinc Oxide and Titanium Dioxide.
Ingredients to avoid
OUR LIST OF INGREDIENTS TO AVOID IS BASED ON RESEARCH BY THE HAERETICUS ENVIRONMENTAL LAB, AN INDEPENDENT RESEARCH GROUP FROM THE USA. We also take guidance from the information shared by the brands we stock.
THERE IS ALWAYS MORE RESEARCH BEING DONE, SO WE WILL MAKE SURE THAT WE KEEP YOU UP TO DATE WITH ALL THE INFORMATION.
THERE IS ALWAYS MORE RESEARCH BEING DONE, SO WE WILL MAKE SURE THAT WE KEEP YOU UP TO DATE WITH ALL THE INFORMATION.
OXybenzone
Aka. Benzophenone-3
Oxybenzone is one of the most common ingredients found in commercial sunscreens and other cosmetics. It is an active ingredient in sunscreen, reducing UV exposure and is used in other products to help them absorb into the skin.
Oxybenzone is an environmental contaminant that is found in every environment, from the Arctic to beaches on the equator. It moves through the food chain, accumulating in high concentrations in humans, birds, fish, coral and marine mammals.
As an endocrine disruptor it can cause male fish to become feminized, change territorial behaviour and reduce the number of eggs that female fish produce.
Oxybenzone causes bleaching, DNA damage, larval deformity and mortality in corals. It also inhibits growth in other invertebrates like bivalves and shrimp... its effects algae... and has even been linked to diseases in humans...
So definitely one that should be avoided!
Oxybenzone is an environmental contaminant that is found in every environment, from the Arctic to beaches on the equator. It moves through the food chain, accumulating in high concentrations in humans, birds, fish, coral and marine mammals.
As an endocrine disruptor it can cause male fish to become feminized, change territorial behaviour and reduce the number of eggs that female fish produce.
Oxybenzone causes bleaching, DNA damage, larval deformity and mortality in corals. It also inhibits growth in other invertebrates like bivalves and shrimp... its effects algae... and has even been linked to diseases in humans...
So definitely one that should be avoided!
Octinoxate
Aka. Octyl methoxycinnamate
OR Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate
Similar to oxybenzone, octinoxate is used in products as a UV-B filter. Octinoxate doesn't dissolve in water, but in oil, making it a fat-seeking substance in the body.
Octinoxate in absorbed through the skin and accumulates in the blood, urine, breast milk and fatty tissues. It acts as an endocrine disruptor, affecting your hormone system - particularly cells which grow in response to oestrogen. It has been linked to harmful changes in the development of reproductive organs in studies on rats.
Octinoxate has been directly linked to coral bleaching.
Octinoxate in absorbed through the skin and accumulates in the blood, urine, breast milk and fatty tissues. It acts as an endocrine disruptor, affecting your hormone system - particularly cells which grow in response to oestrogen. It has been linked to harmful changes in the development of reproductive organs in studies on rats.
Octinoxate has been directly linked to coral bleaching.
Octocrylene
Octocrylene is another UV absorber, often added to formulas to create a sunscreen with a higher SPF.
When Octocrylene absorbs UV rays it produces oxygen free radicals, highly reactive particles which can cause damage to cells, proteins and DNA; because of this it increases the risks of skin cancer and premature aging. It has been shown to accumulate in aquatic life, causing DNA damage, developmental changes and negative effects on reproductive systems.
Octocrylene has been found to accumulate in seafood from around Europe.
(Free radicals are a byproduct of many natural processes but can be harmful when they build up. Click here for more info)
When Octocrylene absorbs UV rays it produces oxygen free radicals, highly reactive particles which can cause damage to cells, proteins and DNA; because of this it increases the risks of skin cancer and premature aging. It has been shown to accumulate in aquatic life, causing DNA damage, developmental changes and negative effects on reproductive systems.
Octocrylene has been found to accumulate in seafood from around Europe.
(Free radicals are a byproduct of many natural processes but can be harmful when they build up. Click here for more info)
Parabens
- Methyl Paraben
- Ethyl Paraben
- Propyl Paraben
- Benzyl Paraben
Parabens are absorbed through your skin and can remain in your tissues; a study in 2004 found parabens in the breast tissue of 19/20 women. They have also been found in the tissue of marine mammals, probably from products released into the ocean through sewage water.
Parabens have been found to disrupt hormones by mimicking oestrogen, high levels of oestrogen have been linked to faster breast cell division and the formation of tumors.
Triclosan
Triclosan is an antibacterial and antifungal preservative. It is limited to 0.3% in European cosmetics, and currently under review by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in the US. It is predominantly an ingredient to look out for when buying abroad.
Exposure to high levels of Triclosan has been linked to abnormal endocrine/thyroid signals (hormone disruption), weakened immune systems, reproductive and developmental problems in animals, reduced testosterone and sperm production, and the potential to create antibiotic resistance in bacterial.
Most triclosan is broken down with chlorine or UV rays, however it is not all removed and still enters our oceans and water systems through sewage discharges.
Exposure to high levels of Triclosan has been linked to abnormal endocrine/thyroid signals (hormone disruption), weakened immune systems, reproductive and developmental problems in animals, reduced testosterone and sperm production, and the potential to create antibiotic resistance in bacterial.
Most triclosan is broken down with chlorine or UV rays, however it is not all removed and still enters our oceans and water systems through sewage discharges.
Other 'organic' ingredients
4-methylbenzylidene camphor or Enzacamene
Para-aminobenzoic acid (PABA)
Para-aminobenzoic acid (PABA)
Nano-Particles
Nano-particles are tiny bit of material up to 100,000 times smaller than a human hair, just 1 - 100 nanometers. These particles are insoluble or biopersistent, which means they are more likely to stay inside an organism than be expelled or break down.
Many sunscreens contain nano zinc or titanium dioxide because they are effective at blocking UVA and UVB radiation and make a clear sunscreen.
We avoid nano-particles because ongoing scientific research shows that even in low concentrations they can have negative impacts on development in sea life.
Titanium Oxide nano-particles and heavy metals in Mediterranean Mussels
Titanium oxide nano-particles and microalgae
Nanoparticles and Sea Urchin embryos
Many sunscreens contain nano zinc or titanium dioxide because they are effective at blocking UVA and UVB radiation and make a clear sunscreen.
We avoid nano-particles because ongoing scientific research shows that even in low concentrations they can have negative impacts on development in sea life.
Titanium Oxide nano-particles and heavy metals in Mediterranean Mussels
Titanium oxide nano-particles and microalgae
Nanoparticles and Sea Urchin embryos
'natural' Ingredients
Many botanical extracts - including Neem, Eucalyptus and lavender oils - can still have toxic effects on marine life. Many of these oils have insect repellent properties and have been found to increased relative toxicity to invertebrates. Lavender oil has also been found to act as an endocrine disruptor. The sunscreens we supply are made with simple formulas, using as few ingredients as possible to remain hypoallergenic and have as little impact as possible on marine life.
Beeswax can be contaminated by industrial fungicide and pesticide which can have negative effects on marine life. The ingredients in the products we supply are certified organic, and although each batch of sunscreen is not individually tested to check toxicity.
Beeswax can be contaminated by industrial fungicide and pesticide which can have negative effects on marine life. The ingredients in the products we supply are certified organic, and although each batch of sunscreen is not individually tested to check toxicity.
Natural ingredients |
suitable for all skintypes |
REcyclable packaging |