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What does coral and reef-friendly mean?

What does coral and reef-friendly mean?

The question of "reef-friendly" is one we get asked about a lot.

Unfortunately, the answer isn't straightforward or at least it isn't one that can be provided via a concise direct message. That's why we've taken to our LifeJournal to give the subject some extra context.

Background

Within Europe there's a defined list of ingredients and UV filters that are allowed to be used in sunscreen products (covered under Annex VI of the EC regulation 1223/2009)

The filters on the list have extensive data available concerning their safety and use. The list also sets out permitted conditions of use and the maximum dose that can be used.  The primary concern for cosmetics regulators is, of course, human safety.

How does LifeJacket deal with this?

We obviously keep a very close eye on the latest regulation in respect of both the organic (i.e. chemical) and inorganic (i.e. physical/mineral) filters that we use in our products.

We must (and do) follow the regulations in the territories where we sell and this is focused on human safety, as mentioned.

Looking past human safety

We also follow additional guidelines that are unrelated to human safety but more environmental considerations. Our ambition is always to minimise LifeJacket's footprint on the ecosystems where our products are used. That's important to us and we understand how important it is to you too.  

In respect of reef safety, this is an evolving topic of conversation among scientists and governments and one we always keep an eye on. A tiny minority of territories have their own guidance on sunscreen ingredients. They ban the use of sunscreens on their shores should the sunscreen contain certain ingredients.  

For example, Hawaii banned oxybenzone and octinoxate in 2018 and later expanded this to include octocrylene. 

The case for...

The study that triggered the Hawaii bill was published in the journal, Archives of Environmental Contamination and Toxicology.

It found that specific chemical sun filters have a range of effects on coral, including mortality in developing coral, bleaching of coral and genetic damage to coral and other organisms.

The study also found that certain chemicals found in sunscreen induce feminisation in adult male fish and increase reproductive diseases in creatures from sea urchins to parrotfish and mammal species similar to the Hawaiian monk seal.

The chemicals can also induce neurological behavioural changes in fish and have possible impact on the many endangered species found in Hawaii’s waters, including sea turtles.

The case against...

On the other hand, the bill has been heavily criticised. 

There are suggestions the decision was based on a limited body of scientific research, that the amount of sunscreen that actually finds its way into the world's enormous bodies of ocean doesn't come close to those used in the study and, perhaps more critically, that there are far more significant factors threatening coral and sea life, such as global warming and coastal development.

Some people believe it's easier for governments to ban sunscreen ingredients in the name of supporting the environment rather than address the bigger matter of climate change. 

Marketing jeopardy

Whichever side of the fence you're on, this is a subject that has been jumped on by brands who use terms like "reef safe" or "ocean friendly" on their packaging. 

While there are clear laboratory tests and regulatory hurdles we must achieve to make certain claims on our products, "reef safe" (and any variants) are completely un-regulated. There is no official accreditation. There are no rules. There is no formal definition. And so, we feel it becomes open to abuse by brands and marketing folk.

As a brand that takes science and data so seriously, it's not a term we want to adopt opportunistically simply because it's what people want to hear. If it isn't regulated or defined, we won't use it. 

So are LifeJacket products reef-safe?

None of our products contain oxybenzone or octinoxate, the two most commonly referenced ingredients when it comes to this subject.

Our Mineral Sun Stick uses 100% mineral filters and does not contain oxybenzone, octinoxate or octocrylene.

Our Sun Gels and Sun Protection Spray both contain octocrylene. We use it because it is an incredibly effective UV filter and we use it in a dose prescribed as being safe by European guidelines. But we recognise there are a few areas where it is banned.

We keep a close eye on scientific reviews, peer-reviewed research and, of course, the regulators when it comes to the use of octocrylene. If anything changes, we will adapt but for now, we see no clear reason to re-formulate given our overarching priority for human safety and protective performance.

Conclusion

Like most things in life, a balance needs to be struck between protecting ourselves and our environment. Rest assured that at LifeJacket we're fully aware and informed about the ingredients we use and they're carefully selected with that balance in mind for watersports like surfing and paddle.