Natural Sunscreens and Reef-Safe Protection: What You Need to Know

When the sun comes out, we know to reach for protective SPF. In recent years we've learned more about the importance of looking after our skin, with the rise of skincare trends we know why using an SPF every day is crucial for aesthetic and health reasons. 

But not all sun creams are created equal and not all sunscreens are able to do good by you and do good for the environment. 

We're about protecting your skin and the planet, which is why we stock carefully chosen natural sunscreens that doesn't affect marine life.

In this post, we’re diving into what it really means for a sunscreen to be natural and reef-safe, and why that matters more than ever.

🧴 What is Natural Sunscreen?

Natural sunscreens (sometimes called mineral sunscreens) use non-toxic, mineral-based ingredients to reflect UV rays away from the skin. The most common active ingredients are:

- Zinc oxide
- Titanium dioxide

Unlike chemical sunscreens, which absorb UV rays using synthetic filters, natural options form a barrier on the skin that offers immediate protection.

🌊 What Does Reef-Safe Actually Mean?

Many conventional sunscreens contain chemicals like oxybenzone and octinoxate – these have been linked to coral bleaching and long-term damage to marine ecosystems.

"In a 2016 study, a team of international scientists found that a common chemical in many sunscreen lotions and cosmetics is highly toxic to juvenile corals and other marine life. Oxybenzone, or BP-3, is found in more than 3,500 skin care products worldwide"

Source - National Ocean Service

A reef-safe sunscreen is one that’s free from those harmful ingredients. It typically avoids:

- Oxybenzone  
- Octinoxate  
- Octocrylene  
- Avobenzone  
- Nanoparticles (which can still enter and harm marine life)

Choosing reef-safe is especially important if you're swimming in the sea – even small amounts of these chemicals can affect coral reefs and marine life.

 🌿 Our Picks: Natural, Reef-Safe Sunscreens

We stock two brilliant options that tick all the boxes when it comes to gentle, eco-conscious sun protection:

UpCircle Mineral Sunscreen SPF 25

- Made with non-nano zinc oxide
- Light, non-greasy formula that blends in better than most mineral sunscreens
- Reef-safe, vegan, cruelty-free and packaged in an aluminium tube
- Enriched with aloe vera and raspberry seed oil for added skin nourishment

Perfect for everyday use — gentle enough for sensitive skin, with zero plastic and zero nasties.

👉 Explore UpCircle Mineral Sunscreen

🧴 Shade All-Natural Sunscreen SPF 25

- Ultra-simple ingredients: just four – including shea butter, coconut oil and non-nano zinc oxide
- Thick and rich – great for longer days outdoors, especially on sensitive spots like noses and shoulders
- 100% plastic-free, in a recyclable metal tin
- Not diluted or fragranced, making it ideal for those with allergies or sensitivities

Handy to keep in your bag, campervan or backpack.

👉 Shop Shade Sunscreen

🏖️ How to Use Mineral Sunscreen Effectively

Because natural sunscreens sit on the surface of the skin, it's important to:

- Apply generously and evenly
- Reapply after swimming, sweating, or towelling off
- Be aware that some formulas (especially richer ones like Shade) may leave a slight white cast - but this is a small trade-off for protecting ocean life.

🌍 Why It Matters

More than 14,000 tonnes of sunscreen are thought to wash into the oceans each year. By switching to reef-safe, natural sun protection, you're helping reduce the impact on fragile marine ecosystems — and taking care of your skin without compromise.

Whether you’re heading abroad, wild swimming locally, or just spending more time in the garden, we’re proud to offer sun care that keeps things safe, simple and sustainable.