{"id":33116,"date":"2025-07-28T11:28:20","date_gmt":"2025-07-28T09:28:20","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/sunce-st.org\/?p=33116"},"modified":"2025-12-03T08:01:16","modified_gmt":"2025-12-03T07:01:16","slug":"healthy-skin-and-a-clean-planet-the-best-sunscreen-choices","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/sunce-st.org\/en\/news\/healthy-skin-and-a-clean-planet-the-best-sunscreen-choices\/","title":{"rendered":"Healthy skin and a clean planet: the best sunscreen choices"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Summer is in full swing, and so is vacation season, sunbathing, swimming, and long days at the beach. During the warmer months, we pay extra attention to our skin and reach for sunscreen daily. But how often do we stop and think about the environmental impact of the products we use?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Marine plastic pollution is already a serious problem, but it turns out many chemical sunscreen ingredients can also harm the ocean \u2013 especially coral reefs and fish fertility. As The Guardian<\/em> highlights, between 6,000 and 14,000 tonnes of UV filters wash into coral-reef areas every year. According to UN estimates, one-fifth of the world\u2019s coral reefs are dead, with chemical ingredients from cosmetic products playing a significant role.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

To ensure effective protection while reducing environmental impact, sunscreen should be applied 15 to 20 minutes before sun exposure so it can properly absorb into the skin. Using water-resistant formulas is also recommended because that way they wash off less easily, limiting the release of harmful substances into marine ecosystems.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A study published in Frontiers<\/em> confirmed that certain sunscreen ingredients can seriously damage Posidonia oceanica<\/a><\/em>. This seagrass species \u2013 endemic to the Mediterranean and strictly protected \u2013provides habitat for more than 400 plant and around 1,000 animal species<\/strong>. Some ingredients can trigger oxidative stress for Posidonia, disrupting essential processes like photosynthesis and nitrogen fixation. Over time, this threatens the health of seagrass meadows, which are fundamental to underwater biodiversity.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Because of these impacts, scientists are increasingly calling for comprehensive research into how sunscreens affect the delicate balance of marine life.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Pharmacy technician and phyto-aromatherapist Milena Ileni\u0107<\/strong>, who has 25 years of industry experience, shared practical advice on which ingredients to avoid and which sunscreens are safest for both people and the ocean.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

To protect your skin and<\/em> the sea, she recommends avoiding <\/strong>products containing:<\/p>\n\n\n\n