With the sun out and summer just around the corner, it's time to start thinking about protecting ourselves from the sun. We also need to be mindful of what sunscreen we use when we're outdoors because some products are more impactful on our reefs than others.

We recently shared an instagram post with some key points regarding the importance of choosing reef safe sunscreen, and we loved the feedback so we decided to dive a bit deeper into the topic.

It's summer, and you know what that means: it's time to head outdoors. Before you do, it's important to remember that while UV rays may feel good on your skin, they can also damage it--from sunburns, to more severe issues.

Sunscreen is one of the best ways to protect yourself against UV rays. The right kinds of sunscreen will help block out some of those damaging rays so that when they hit your skin (and reflect back into space), there will be less damage.

On another note, its proven that sun exposure benefits our body’s systems in the right doses- so we are not suggesting any amount of sunscreen to use, or when and where to apply; simply, we are suggesting that when you do wear sunscreen, you think of your skin, your wellbeing, and our reefs.

So, what about our reefs?

A reef is a ridge or shoal of rock, coral or similar relatively stable material, lying beneath the surface of a natural body of water. Coral bleaching is caused by rising water temperatures. The coral expels its zooxanthellae, which are the coral's food source, causing it to lose its color and become more susceptible to disease.

Coral bleaching is one of the biggest threats to our reefs, and sunscreen has been shown to be a contributing factor. Some sunscreens are more impactful than others; for example, products with 'physical' UV filters like zinc oxide or titanium dioxide tend not to be as harmful as chemical ones like oxybenzone (which is sometimes referred to as BP-3). The best way to protect both you and your family is by choosing reef-friendly sunscreens that contain these physical filters instead of chemical ones.Look for zinc oxide or titanium dioxide. These are the most effective sunscreens, but they can be irritating to sensitive skin and may cause allergic reactions. Micronized zinc oxide is less likely to clog pores than non-micronized versions of these ingredients, so look for products that use it if you have sensitive skin or want to avoid irritation.Make sure your sunscreen is reef safe by checking the label for Helioplex (a type of photostable UV filter) or other reef-safe ingredients like octinoxate and octocrylene--both FDA approved as safe for use in cosmetics products marketed as "sunscreen."

The hardest part of choosing a reef safe sunscreen is that anyone can add “reef safe” to their label. So we’ve made it easy for you to explore different sunscreen brands that are Reef Safe / Reef Friendly and don't contain harmful chemicals that harm your skin, and the ocean.

Surfrider Foundation has provided an amazing list of do’s, and don’ts when it comes to sunscreen, as well as recommending brands that are not harmful to the ocean.

As previously mentioned, the terms “reef friendly” and “reef safe” are not regulated, so you can't always trust products with this description. It's important to actually check the “active ingredients'' label on the back of your sunscreen or personal care products to ensure that reef-harming chemicals are not included. The size of minerals can also have an impact. It is also advised to stick with lotions and avoid spray or misting sunscreens, especially those that contain titanium dioxide as it can be harmful to your health if inhaled.

Check the label! Make sure your sunscreen DOES NOT contain the following: