Alternatives to Stop the coral-killing sunscreen
1. Use the Shade
Wearing clothes
Clothes are the best sunblock. They absorb or reflect sunlight and keep your skin safe. Long sleeve sun protective clothing with UPF 50+ is recommended.
Put on a hat or Use an Umbrella
Stopping excess sun exposure, costs less, and doesn’t harm the ocean
2. Take supplements
Taking Astaxanthin tablets daily helps protecting the skin from the inside out. It protects our skin from solar injuries and even helps prevent DNA from being damaged by UV.
3. Avoid toxic chemical used in sunscreen
Many sunscreen contain chemicals which cause the coral to bleach and die and harm juvenile fishes. As listed below.
- Oxybenzone (Benzophenone-3, BP-3)
- Octinoxate (Ethylhexyl methoxycinnamate)
- 4-Methylbenzylid Camphor (4MBC)
- Butylparaben
4. Use reef friendly sunscreen
Select Natural & Mineral-based Sunscreen
If you are in the sun for extended periods of time, you have an option. Please choose natural and biodegradable sunscreen with non-nano Zinc Oxide/Titanium Dioxide, all-natural and organic ingredients.
Apply sunscreen 30 minutes before exposing the Sun
If the sunscreen does not dry in place, it is possible to remove with rubbing and sweating.
Brands that available in Thailand
ReReef
Mineral-based sunscreen.
Made in Thailand and will be sold by next month (August,2017). The owner interests in supporting Greenfins work.
(https://www.facebook.com/
Badger
Mineral-based and Certified organic sunscreen.
Made in USA. Available in Thai online shopping (http://www.lazada.co.th)
(https://www.badgerbalm.com/s-
SafeSea
Organic formula sunscreen with Jellyfish Sting Protection.
Made in Israel and imported to Thailand by Ocean Line Company located in Phuket.
(http://oceanline.asia/
Stream2Sea
Mineral-based and biodegradable sunscreen.
Distributed in Thailand by Aussie Divers Phuket.
(https://stream2sea.com/
https://www.
Homemade sunscreen (non-waterproof)
Look for ingredients here (https://wellnessmama.com/
5. After sunburn lotion
Use Aloe Vera or Coconut oil to cool down your skin.
Sources:
goo.gl/JtNEmQ (in Thai) by Petch Manopawitr/Green World Foundation
https://sunwarrior.com/