The sun is an excellent source of vitamin D, but too much sun can be dangerous. The sun’s ultraviolet rays can be harmful to your skin and have been linked to skin cancer, the most deadly of which is melanoma. This is why using sunscreen is important. Everyone should protect their skin. However, most sunscreen actually contributes to algae bleaching, which is destroying the ocean’s coral reefs. Coral reefs are vibrant, diverse ecosystems that provide food, shelter, and protection from predators that help an estimated two million species thrive. They also “protect the coast from erosion and flooding by acting as a buffer against intense waves, protecting homes and natural habitats in the process.”

One of the things you can do to protect and preserve coral reefs is to use sunscreen that is reef-safe. These sunscreen products are free of chemicals like oxybenzone, octinoxate, parabens, titanium dioxide, and others that are harmful to aquatic life. To help you find the right sunscreen for your skin and the ocean, we put together this list of 15 sunscreens available on Amazon that are all cruelty-free and coral reef-safe!

1. Amavara Mineral Sunscreen

Source: Amavara Mineral Sunscreen

Amavara Mineral Sunscreen has an SPF of 30. It’s cruelty-free and reef safe! The formulas are also free of nano titatnium dioxide, oxybenzone, and octinoxate. The formula is gentle, hypoallergenic, and safe for all ages. Non-comedogenic, paraben-free, and lightweight, this sunscreen is safe for daily use. This 3-ounce tube costs $30.00.

An Amazon customer says, “This is by far the best zinc sunscreen I’ve used. I love the not-greasy-at-all application. The lotion sinks right in and leaves my hands dry and skin moisturized and well protected.”

2. All Good Sport Sunscreen Lotion

Source: All Good Sport Sunscreen Lotion

All Good Sport Sunscreen Lotion is vegan, gluten-free, oxybenzone-free, non-nano, biodegradable, and coral reef friendly. The lightweight formula makes it non-greasy. Organic green tea, rose hips, and buriti oil are some of the ingredients, which are great for repairing damaged skin. The price for a pack of two 3-ounce lotions is $29.99.

An Amazon customer says, “I have tried all kinds of sunscreens and this sunscreen not only works great, it glides on and absorbs like lotion. It does not feel like it sits on top of your skin and greasy feeling. I can put it on in the am then get dressed and it does not come off on clothing. If I am outside all day I will reapply since it is only spf30 but works well for the rating it is. Also love that it is made out of healthier ingredients for the ocean and for my skin. Highly recommend!”

3. Tropical Sands All Natural SPF 30 Sunscreen

Source: Tropical Sands All Natural SPF 30 Sunscreen

Tropical Sands All Natural Sunscreen is hypoallergenic, contains no harsh chemicals, and is free of nanoparticles. It’s certified biodegradable and contains green tea, a powerful antioxidant. There are no chemical fragrances or chemical preservatives like parabens or emulsifiers, and it’s reef-friendly. The price for 8 ounces is $17.95.

An Amazon customer says, “I got this because it is reef safe and we had a trip to the FL Keys planned. We spent 7 days in the blazing sun snorkeling, and not one of us burned. The product is pasty, not greasy. A little goes a long long way.”

4. Reef Repair Sunscreen SPF 30 All Natural

Source: Reef Repair Sunscreen SPF 30 All Natural

Reef Repair Sunscreen is completely oxybenzone, octinoxate, and titanium dioxide-free, making it safe for marine and aquatic life, including coral reefs. It’s not sticky and non-oily because it’s made with a water-based biodegradable formula. Some of the ingredients it includes which are great for skin are red raspberry seed oil and coconut oil. The price for 4 ounces is $14.95.

Aboud says, “This is a fantastic cream! Not only is it reef-safe, it performs super well. Goes on like most sun screens you might be familiar with. Rub it in well and you’re good to go for beach chilling, snorkeling, or diving.”

5. Stream2Sea Sunscreen

Source: Stream2Sea Sunscreen

Stream2Sea Sunscreen contains an antioxidant blend of organic green tea, tulsi, wakame, and olive leaf. It’s non-greasy and absorbs fast. This sunscreen is also reef-safe, biodegradable, and paraben-free. The price is $16.95 for three ounces.

Ellen says, “Many chemically based sunscreens are toxic to coral reefs and fish. This is a mineral based sunscreen, so it is safe to wear around a reef when diving or snorkeling, and is probably much safer for humans […] I used this 30 spf so I did not contribute to reef and fish death. This product stays on and protects better than spray sunblock. It has no odor. It is not at all greasy and washes off pretty well with soap. It is easy to reapply even on whey skin.”

6. Goddess Garden Organics SPF 30 Sport Mineral Sunscreen

Source: Goddess Garden Organics SPF 30 Sport Mineral Sunscreen

Goddess Garden Organics Mineral Sunscreen is made with natural, non-nano minerals, and soothing ingredients like aloe very and coconut oil that hydrate and nourish skin. It’s certified organic, coral reef-safe, vegan, and Leaping Bunny-certified cruelty-free. A 6-ounce bottle costs $17.99.

Sandy says, “This is the best natural sunscreen spray I’ve found yet! So much easier to apply than most mineral sunscreens (it’s not thick and gluey). It does leave a little bit of that white hue, so I prefer to use the sunscreen stick for the face and the spray everywhere else. Awesome product. Living in California our family goes through a lot of sunscreen, this is now our trusted, go-to brand.”

7. Skinnies SunGel Sunscreen

Source: Skinnies SunGel Sunscreen

Skinnies SunGel Sunscreen is made with an organogel technology and contains no water, parabens, preservatives, alcohol, emulsifiers, or fragrances. It’s also 100 percent coral reef safe, vegan, cruelty-free, and biodegradable. The price for 3.4 ounces is $33.99.

An Amazon customer says, “A little goes a long way with this product. We first purchased this while we were on vacation in New Zealand and fell in love with it. When we got home we finished the product and stoped using all of the other sunscreen we had around. It is long lasting and you can go out in the sun right away! We were so excited to be able to find it on Amazon and have it shipped to us. If you are looking for a sunscreen that works well and does not have a nasty smell, this is for you!”

8. Blue Lizard Australian Sunscreen

Source: Blue Lizard Australian Sunscreen

Blue Lizard Australian Sunscreen contains no oxybenzone or octinoxate, making it safe for the delicate coral reefs. It’s also free of fragrances and parabens, which also makes it safe for sensitive skin. It’s made with mineral active zinc oxide to provide protection from UV rays. The price for 5 ounces is $19.28.

Anemone says, “This has replaced another brand as my number one everyday sunscreen. I work outdoors in the desert so I apply sunscreen up to 4 times daily. I have to use mineral sunscreen because of my skin and not only does this not irritate my skin, it’s not too thick so if I apply a 2nd layer it doesn’t cake on and it doesn’t look too pasty. Great all-around sunscreen.”

9. Alba Botanica Hawaiian Sunscreen

Source: Alba Botanica Hawaiian Sunscreen

Alba Botanica Hawaiian Sunscreen does not contain oxybenzone, octinoxate, gluten, or synthetic fragrances, making it reef-safe and biodegradable. It’s a lightweight sunscreen made with coconut extract, shea butter, and avocado oil. A 6-ounce bottle costs $11.25.

Vicki says, “I love this stuff! It’s hard to find fragrance free sunscreens and almost impossible to fine one that isn’t a thick white cream. This sunscreen is a convenient spray and it works great. I used it when I’m in the sun for hours and do not get burned.”

10. Love Sun Body 100% Natural Mineral Sunscreen

Source: Love Sun Body 100% Natural Mineral Sunscreen

Love Sun Body 100% Natural Mineral Sunscreen is free of oxybenzone, parabens, and synthetic chemicals. It’s 100 percent natural, plant-based, and safe for coral reefs. Because it is clinically tested hypoallergenic, non-comedogenic, fragrance-free, it is also safe for sensitive skin. The ingredients include sunflower seed and almond oil, which moisturize skin. The price for 6.76 ounces is $32.00.

An Amazon customer says, “I needed a safe and effective natural mineral sunscreen (without the cancer-causing chemicals found in most other sunscreens.) I tried Love Sun Body and was pleased with its natural ingredients and feel and even forgot I was wearing sunscreen. Just one application effectively protects my skin from damaging UV rays all day long. Great product!! It’s safe for coral reefs too.”

11. Coral Isles Reef Friendly & Safe Sunscreen

Source: Coral Isles Reef Friendly & Safe Sunscreen

Coral Isles Reef Friendly & Safe Sunscreen is free of oxybenzone, octinoxate, and parabens. It’s also gluten-free, cruelty-free, fragrance-free, contains no nut oils, and is non-greasy. A pack of two 6-ounce bottles costs $27.99.

12. TotLogic Natural Mineral Sunscreen

Source: TotLogic Natural Mineral Sunscreen

TotLogic Natural Mineral Sunscreen is hypoallergenic and gentle, safe for everyone, including children. The formula is eco-friendly, non-toxic, biodegradable, and non-comedogenic, as well as vegan, cruelty-free, and non-nano. It’s a zinc oxide sunscreen that’s free of parabens, phthalates, artificial fragrances, and dyes. Some of the great ingredients include white tea, jojoba oil, hyaluronic acid, arnica, chamomile, and lavender. A 3-ounce tube costs $14.95.

An Amazon customer says, “First of all, this a completely natural product, which is great. The best thing about Totlogic Sunscreen is that it avoids many of the issues that I have with other brands in the marketplace – most importantly it doesn’t have any harsh chemicals – all of the ingredients are natural so when I rub the lotion onto her skin I know that she is getting the best nature has to offer. When I read that everything you put on your skin gets absorbed into your bloodstream, it makes me even happier to use this product knowing that it is safe and Hypo-Allergenic.”

13. Sun Bum Original Moisturizing Sunscreen

Source: Sun Bum Original Moisturizing Sunscreen

Sun Bum Original Moisturizing Sunscreen is hypo-allergenic and made with reef-friendly, vegan ingredients. It’s non-comedogenic, cruelty-free, gluten-free, and free of parabens, oxybenzone, and octinoxate. The price for 3 ounces is $9.99.

An Amazon customer says, “This sunscreen is the best. Easy to apply, easy to rub in and doesn’t feel greasy, and I actually really like the smell. My husband, who tans in 5 minutes, also really liked it. We would apply consistently during the days at the beach and neither of us burned at all! Best decision I ever made.”

14. Waxhead Tinted Facial Sunscreen

Source: Waxhead Tinted Facial Sunscreen

Waxhead Tinted Facial Sunscreen is certified organic and is 100 percent toxin free. It’s also biodegradable, reef safe, eco-friendly, cruelty-free, and does not contain petrochemicals. It’s also free of oxybenzone and octinoxate. It’s enriched with non-GMO vitamin E making it very moisturizing. A pack of two 1-ounce tubes costs $16.99.

An Amazon customer says, “Easy to spread and the tint is good so that the sunscreen doesn’t look so white. I wore this to the beach without any make up over it- just a little lip color. Was protected from the sun, did not break out my skin, and my face felt very soft after wearing it. I will be buying more!”

15. SPF Rx SPF 40, Natural Sunscreen

Source: SPF Rx SPF 40, Natural Sunscreen

SPF Rx Natural Sunscreen is paraben-free, chemical-free, and works for oily, dry, and sensitive skin. The ingredients include aloe barbadensis and shea butter, which are both great for skin. A pack of two 4-ounce tubes costs $24.95.

Jessica says, “LOVE this sunscreen! We have tried many different sunscreens over the years and this has been my fav one yet! We are at the pool all day every day and have not been burned! Yes, you have to rub it in more so then other chemical based sunscreen but the coverage is great and it is not that hard to rub in!”

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