Reef-Friendly Suncare
Dive in with care!
Coral reefs are incredible creations of the natural world. Not only are they a home and habitat, but they are also coastal protectors that absorb wave energy and reduce erosion, they provide an important source of food (especially for us here in Southeast Asia) and are even a promising source of new pharmaceutical discoveries.
Calling all coral killers
But our fun in the sun doesn’t come without responsibility. Both Nana and I could talk for hours about the importance of wearing sunscreen with an SPF of 30 or higher, especially in the wild warmth of the heatwave in Malaysia. Whether you are directly under the sun’s golden rays on the beach, prefer the window seat on your morning commute, or sit under fluorescent tubes at your office, our motto this season has been “USA” - which stands for “Use Suncare Always.”
But if you’re planning to pay a visit to our underwater pals - we have a little more to consider. Benzene derivatives like oxybenzone, benzophenone-1, and benzophenone-8, as well as chemicals like nano-titanium dioxide and nano-zinc oxide, have been long used in sunscreens as effective ways to protect against the harmful effects of UV radiation. But the use of these ingredients become controversial due to devastating effects to coral reefs.
The ripple effect
There are a number of ways that these controversial ingredients affect coral reefs and their innocent inhabitants. From stunting growth and bleaching to causing mutations and growth defects - these little choices we make all have the potential to do some serious damage in the long run.
In the same way that leaving suncare out of your skincare routine can have irreversible consequences, time is of the essence. The sooner we act, the better.
So what do we do?
Let’s start with the basics. Suncare is non-negotiable, so if we know we’re going to be wading in the waters - pick a coral reef-friendly sunscreen. Thankfully, as we learn more about how to better care for our environment - the collection of earth-friendly products keeps expanding so we can take care of the planet as well as our skin.
Tickle me pinkThe Tone Up No Sebum Sunscreen delivers protection and perfection by giving your skin a temporary tone-up! Not only does it help to reduce the appearance of your pores, but it also keeps your complexion matte.
Serious sun shieldA no-brainer for high-intensity outdoor activities, the Intensive Triple-shield Sunscreen filters UV rays, reflects blue light, and is water-resistant. To make sure you look good when you’re out there, it also has a brightening and anti-wrinkle effect.
Water-resistant workhorseThis one’s for all of you who don’t want to think too much. The Intensive Long-lasting Sunscreen will protect against UVA and UVB rays while hydrating your skin and improving the look of your overall skin tone. Its formula includes beta-glucan to help promote skin regeneration.
And since we’re talking about INNISFREE sunscreens, I’ll take this opportunity to remind you that the sun’s rays are the most harmful to your skin from 10am to 2pm. My recommendation is to stay in the shade if you can, but if you know you’re going to be out there at those times, be prepared to apply and reapply your suncare.
Remember to also give your face a good wash with an oil-based cleanser or cleansing water before the rest of your skincare routine to keep build-up away and your pores nice and clear.
A healthy ecosystem is a happy one!