Biodegradable Sunscreen - Facts and Information

What is Biodegradable Sunscreen?

Biodegradable sunscreen is exactly what it sounds like; sunscreen or sun block that dissolves naturally into water, or earth, without leaving behind harmful chemicals or minerals. Ecologists have determined that mainstream sunscreen and sun block share in the responsibility of the deterioration of many beautiful coral reefs. The chemicals bleach the coral, and kill off the tiny life forms that take decades to become coral reefs; an infection is spread, with the chemicals, that takes hold, and not only kills off coral, but also other tiny organism species in the ocean. It's similar to what would happen if the entire human body was exposed to a corrosive chemical, and received no medical care.

Biodegradable sunscreen is organic, causes no harm to the ecosystem, and ideally, creates minimal or no disturbance to the surrounding aquatic environment. Any sunscreen that claims to be 'organic' or 'biodegradable' should contain zinc oxide, or similar minerals, like titanium oxide as its primary ingredient. Zinc oxide collects, like silt, on the ocean floor, and blends easily back into the sand, with no discernible effect on the surrounding environment. Other ingredients should be recognizable, non-chemical elements, like plant oils, butters, and natural waxes, like beeswax. However, keep an eye out for synthetically created 'natural' ingredients, for example, shea butter can be synthesized from a variety of chemicals.

Needless to say, biodegradable sunscreen has a variety of benefits for the environment, but also for the body as well, whereas, chemical sunscreen has been determined harmful to the body by researchers. By choosing organic, biodegradable sunscreen over harmful chemical sunscreen, you're making a decision to protect yourself, your family, and your environment. You'll also be putting a dent in the estimated six thousand tons of chemical sunscreen being dumped in the ocean every year. Swimmers go in the water with sunscreen on, the water washes it away and circulates it, poisoning the water and environment.

Many protest that biodegradable is hard to find; actually, there are several brands available online, and in health stores. Another reason to procrastinate is that biodegradable, or organic sunscreen, is too pricey for them, because of current economic troubles. Many brands are not that expensive; they're often sold at reasonable prices, both online and in stores. Furthermore, by spending an extra dollar or two, you can start a trend that may lead to a cleaner planet - and saving our planet is worth every penny.

The Difference Between Biodegradable Sunscreen and Non-Biodegradable Sunscreen

Biodegradable sunscreen, is, well, biodegradable. The definition for biodegradable is: "capable of being decomposed by e.g. bacteria; "a biodegradable detergent", this is according to the Princeton dictionary online. So vice versa, a non-biodegradable sunscreen does not decompose. The chemicals remain intact, and continue harming the environment, for years, sometimes decades, before decomposition affects the substance. Sometimes, the process of decomposition creates a reaction within the chemical, making it not only a pollutant, but a corrosive.

Some of the most popular ingredients within non-biodegradable sunscreen, are varieties of parabens, cinnamates, and benzophenones. Clinical research conducted, determines these same ingredients, that are the most destructive to the natural environment, are also harmful to the human body, which isn't really that big of a surprise. After all, if it harms the planet, it harms you; whether it's directly or indirectly.

Biodegradable organic sunscreen, isn't exactly biodegradable. The only biodegradable sunscreen that actually works, contains a mineral ingredient such as titanium oxide, zinc oxide, or similar minerals. The mineral element is what makes the product work; there are other things mixed in as well, which ideally would be organic butters, plant oils, and other natural elements. It's important to keep an eye on popular 'natural' ingredients such as shea butter, though, because it can be synthesized from chemicals, which makes it cheaper to produce, and sell at high prices, with a label claiming the contents are 'all-natural'.

The zinc oxide or titanium oxide within the organic sunscreen varieties may wash into the ocean, from the wearer's skin. However, the minerals do not affect the surrounding environment. They sift to the sea floor like silt, and get buried in the sediment over a short period of time. Zinc and titanium have low toxicity levels, which means that, on the chance that any organic life form ingests them, they are passed through the system with little or no effect on the body. The same goes for people; the advertisers of biodegradable sunscreen often say "You can eat this stuff!" And it's true. The ideal sunscreen can be eaten, because it contains only natural, organic ingredients that won't harm the body (ps: doesn't mean you should actually be eating it!).

If you look on the back of a bottle of non-biodegradable sunscreen, or in the instructions, you'll probably see a warning notice, advising you to call poison control in case of accidental ingestion. Does that sound like a safe product to you?

Types and Brands of Biodegradable Sunscreen

Many varieties of sunscreen do not offer enough protection from harmful UV rays; but with our helpful guide, you'll learn not only what kind of sunscreen can offer the adequate amount of UV ray defense, but also, which of the many biodegradable sunscreen brands are -really- environmentally friendly, and safe for reefs and coral.

What is SPF? It's estimated that around 78% of Americans don't know what SPF stands for, and another 53% don't know how the SPF number system works. SPF stands for 'Sun Protection Factor', and the number beside it, is the laboratory tested amount of radiation that will cause your skin to burn: if you're wearing SPF 50, then it will take 50 times the amount of UV rays to burn your skin, than if you were not wearing sunscreen. The most powerful ingredient known to effectively prevent sunburn, and damage from the sun? Zinc oxide, which is the primary ingredient of organic and biodegradable sunscreen.

Here are some of the best brands of organic, biodegradable sunscreen available:

Soleo Organics SPF 30 - Contains no harmful ingredients, the primary effective ingredient is zinc oxide. The other ingredients are all natural, and listed right on their website. They have a great variety of sun care products, and they're affordable.

Keys Soap Solar Rx SPF 30+ - Keys Solar Rx contains smaller particles of zinc oxide than other sunscreens, even other biodegradable sunscreens, --this spreads out the effective ingredient in a more thorough layers. Instead of chunkier, larger zinc oxide particles, with a lot of space and reflection points in between, Keys Solar Rx spreads in a fine layer that UV rays bounce right off of.

TruKid Sunny Days Face Stick SPF 30+ - This biodegradable sunscreen has several chemical ingredients, though its effective ingredient is zinc oxide. Another problem is that it's poisonous if swallowed, and you have to re-apply every 80 minutes, so that it will 'last all day.'

California Baby Stick SPF 30+ - This stick sunscreen is much more high quality than the above; all the ingredients are certified organic, and the company who produces it, is very customer oriented. The website has all the information someone with a green lifestyle could ever hope for. There are no poison warnings, you don't have to apply it as often, and it's safe to use on infants, and small children - it won't melt and run into the eyes.