No matter where you’re going this summer, sunscreen is one of the best ways to protect your skin from the sun. And if you’re jetting of for an exotic beach break, you’ll want one of the best reef-safe sunscreens, as some are so harmful to the environment that they might even be banned at your holiday destination.
In 2015, a study found that a widely used chemical UV filter in many sunscreens can harm oceans, coral reefs and marine life. Further research has also flagged other chemical filters as potentially damaging. A useful way to remember the main ones is the “three Os”: oxybenzone, octinoxate and octocrylene, though there are additional ingredients of concern.
