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Safe Sunscreen - Keep Swimming

In Popular Science, "Why Hawaii is trying to ban a common sunscreen", it explains how a common sunscreen ingredient, oxybenzone, might be killing off coral reefs.   

As is stands, there isn't a fan club for oxybenzone.  There are studies that are yet to be conclusive, that point to the possibility of it being a hormone disruptor.  So to stay on the safe side, we don't use it in our Anti Aging Moisturizer with SPF 30.  Instead, we use avobenzone, octinoxate and octisalate.  (You can find a full list of all of our ingredients on every product page.)

The effects on algae and coral reefs

Now there is further evidence to support not using oxybenzone because it may be killing off algae needed to support coral reefs and the coral reefs themselves.  I know everyone isn't reading Popular Science on a Friday night, but it's important to know, we are very particular about what we put in our products and want you to know we don't use it.  

There are a few facts that are interesting in this article and very scary: 1) a single drop in 4.3 million gallons of water, or 6.5 Olympic sized pools, is enough to be deadly; and 2)  it is estimated 6,000 to 14,000 tons of sunscreen lotion are released into coral reefs each year.

Mineral versus Chemical Sunscreens

The article goes on to talk about mineral versus chemical sunscreens - a topic I have written about in further detail below:

Read More: Understanding the Different Types of Sunscreen

The article also refers to an analysis by Consumer Reports which found that only 26% of natural sunscreens met their SPF claims as compared to 58% of chemical sunscreens.  As far as I'm concerned both are horrific.  We test to a SPF 39 and we label it SPF 30.  The FDA regulation and tests are very specific so I'm not sure how all these products are failing to meet their federally mandated obligation and truth in labeling laws. 

Read More: FDA Regulation Mean an Even Playing Field

Conclusion

There were two final facts that were disturbing.  1) It doesn't matter if you're not swimming in a marine ecosystem because we all take showers and it ends up being carried there and the absolute worst was 2) one study detected oxybenzone in 96% of American urine samples.  

So, please, check your medicine cabinets and your beach bags, and throw out your oxybenzone. 

Order yours here Anti Aging Moisturizer with SPF 30

~ Jill


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