Having recently done quite a bit of research about the importance of protecting our precious coral reefs from the effects of conventional chemical sunscreens, I have been trying out some of the reef-safe sunscreen brands that I recommended, one of which: Tropic Sun Day has come out on top! This product is a mineral sunscreen and part of the Tropic Sun Care range, and I have been using it now for a couple of weeks, with amazing results.
WHY IS IT IMPORTANT TO USE A REEF-SAFE SUNSCREEN?
In my article, I discussed coral bleaching, unsustainable fishing practices and land-based pollution, all of which have a detrimental effect on our beautiful coral reefs around the globe. In this article I discussed why it’s essential to address the root causes of pollution and reduce our reliance on harmful practices like industrial agriculture and coastal development, but what can we do as individuals to protect coral reefs?
Related – LET’S PROTECT OUR CORAL REEFS
what can we do individually to protect coral reefs?
We can of course start the process of saving the reefs by supporting policies and initiatives that prioritise the health of our oceans, such as the Coral Reef Conservation Program, but we can also analyse in detail the sustainability of the products we use that go into the sea, for example, swimwear that releases microplastics into the ocean – which is a form of pollution, as well as our sunscreen choices.
Related – SKIN DEEP: THE PROBLEM WITH PLASTICS AND NANO PARTICLES
As previously mentioned, when we apply sunscreen, this eventually washes off and makes its way into the ocean, impacting life there. Unfortunately, the use of chemical sunscreen is a major cause of coral reef damage. In addition to oxybenzone, which is present in most chemical sunscreens, octinoxate is another common ingredient that has been found to cause coral bleaching and coral death.
Mineral Sunscreen
It’s not all doom and gloom! Mineral sunscreen, also known as physical sunscreen, is considered better for the ocean and coral reefs compared to chemical sunscreens as it’s made from natural ingredients and is biodegradable.
what are the ingredients in mineral sunscreen?
Mineral sunscreens contain active mineral ingredients like zinc oxide and titanium dioxide, which work by reflecting and scattering the UV rays away from the skin. These minerals are considered safe for the environment, as they are not known to cause harm to marine life or coral reefs. These ingredients are generally considered to be more biodegradable compared to some chemical sunscreen ingredients. This means that they break down more easily in the environment, reducing the accumulation of harmful substances in water bodies like oceans and lakes.
Mineral sunscreen ingredients have been extensively studied and are known to have low toxicity to aquatic life. They are less likely to cause harm to fish, sea turtles, and other marine organisms when washed off into the water.
USE mineral sunscreen responsibly
It’s important to note, however, that even mineral sunscreens should be used responsibly to minimize any potential impact on the environment. Avoiding excessive use, properly disposing of empty containers, and choosing sunscreens with minimal packaging can further help reduce environmental impact. It’s always a good idea to check the label of any sunscreen product to ensure that it is mineral-based and specifically labelled as reef-safe or coral reef-friendly.
Tropic Skincare’s Sun Care
Thankfully, Tropic Skincare, is a brand that is making saving the coral reefs its main purpose. Their Sun Day cream is really light and easy to apply and I fell in love with it straight away, so I did a bit of research and couldn’t recommend this brand more to all of you looking to find the perfect sun care routine this Summer!
Revolutionizing the beauty industry with their award-winning ethical products, Tropic Skincare has become one of the UK’s fastest-growing beauty companies. Their vegan products are made with wild tropical botanicals using advanced scientific techniques and are free from artificial preservatives and toxins to give you a natural, healthy glow while being sustainable for the planet.
“TRANNSPARDENCY HAS ALWAYS BEEN AT THE HEART OF TROPIC. FROM DAY ONE WHEN I STARTED SELLING MY PRODUCTS IN GREENWICH MARKET. IT WAS BEING HONEST AND UPFRONT THAT HELPED ME TO FORGE TRUST WITH MY CUSTOMERS AND BUILD LASTING RELATIONSHIPS.”
SUSIE MA, FOUNDER AND CEO
THE INGREDIENTS
All their ingredients are sourced from the sunniest regions around the equator, in fact, the brand takes pride in sustainably sourcing powerful plants, nuts, and seeds for all their products. They even have a full list of ingredients on their website, and if you just scroll through this, you’ll see just how natural these are. Sunscreen should not only shield your skin from harmful UV rays, but it should also be eco-friendly, according to Tropic.
TROPIC Sun day sunscreen
The company’s sunscreen line is the first in Europe to receive Protect Land + Sea certification, ensuring that all of its products are safe to use in coral reef environments and oceans. The Haereticus Environmental Laboratory granted this certification after conducting independent tests on the entire sunscreen range to guarantee that no products contain environmental pollutants.
I would really recommend their Sun Day facial UV cream: Just apply a teaspoon of sunscreen for your face and neck, or a shot glass worth for your entire body!
This lightweight, fast-absorbing SPF50 is blended with hyaluronic acid to hydrate, tropical banana flower extract to calm, and prebiotics to nourish your skin’s microbiome – without leaving any white chalkiness – which makes it perfect even for the greasier skin types.
This sunscreen smells delicious too! Another ingredient – hyaluronic acid, a gel-like substance that has the unique ability to retain moisture, works wonderfully as an anti-aging component in face creams and serums, as the hyaluronic acid can hold over 1,000 times it’s weight in water.
Sustainable & Ethical Products
Tropic prides itself on selecting only the most nutritious ingredients and developing clinically tested formulations that produce real results. They also design packaging that is environmentally friendly and maintain the highest ethical beauty standards. All of these processes are managed in-house, right here in the UK. Plus, all of their products and processes are cruelty-free and vegan-certified.
Return, Recycle, Reward Scheme
The brand is 100% landfill-free and here’s how they’re doing it: They have partnered with recycling experts who collect and recycle all the returned products, transforming them into something new. Any waste that can’t be recycled is repurposed to generate an alternative fuel that replaces fossil fuels and powers homes and businesses sustainably. Their recycling process is double carbon offset, which means that the energy used is fully compensated for and verified by Valpak, a leading provider of environmental compliance, ensuring transparency in business operations.
refillables
They also offer refillable options, in fact, Since 2019, they have prevented over 20 tonnes of plastic waste from going to landfills by providing eco-friendly top-ups. Not every single product is available as a refillable option yet, but you can still contribute to their sustainability efforts by participating in the Return, Recycle, Reward Scheme. You can just send back your old packaging, and they will recycle it for you, and you’ll receive a £10 voucher to spend online. So, it’s good for the environment and for your wallet!
COSMOS Certified Organic
If you’re seeking organic products, look for the trust guarantee logo of the not-for-profit international and independent association that manages the COSMOS standard. This is the gold standard when it comes to creating products that are kind to both skin and the planet and operates worldwide!
While some of Tropic’s ingredients, such as encapsulated vitamin C, cannot technically be certified as organic, as they’re nature-identical and not organically grown, many of their products are verified. Though some of their serums are not certified as organic, the brand is working diligently behind the scenes to source organic ingredients for all their ranges, and are committed to making their products sustainability.
10% For The World
Furthermore, by purchasing just one of Tropic’s skincare products, you will support a variety of initiatives. The brand donates 10% of all profits to charities and good causes, such as:
- Donating over £200,000 to the Trussell Trust
- Funding over six million school days in the world’s poorest and most remote regions. They are working in partnership with United World Schools (UWS) and have opened three Tropic schools in Nepal, Cambodia and Madagascar.
- They provided care packages to survivors of domestic abuse in partnership with Women’s Aid and have supported young LGBTQ+ individuals facing homelessness
- They have supported orphaned children in South Africa in partnership with the Winnie Mabaso Foundation.
tropic reforestation projects
The brand is truly paving the way within the clean beauty industry for sustainability. They have most recently planted their own climate change-resistant forest in the UK and are currently growing a Tropic nursery of climate-resilient baby coral on the Great Barrier Reef.
- Tropic were the first member of Forestry England’s Future Forest Collective, supporting Forestry England – an initiative focused on protecting our natural environment to help people, wildlife and nature thrive. In 2022, they planted a Tropic forest of over 7,000 native and climate-resilient trees in Queen Elizabeth Country Park of the Hampshire South Downs, helping to replace over 20 hectares that were felled in 2019 due to ash dieback.
- They also support Reef Restoration Foundation in Cairns, Australia, a not-for-profit social enterprise works to regenerate damaged reefs by establishing new, climate-resilient coral nurseries.
get involved
“REEF RESTORATION FOUNDATION IS BUILDING A MOVEMENT IN OUR COMMUNITY THAT IS GALVANISED AROUND MAKING A DIFFERENCE AT THE LEVEL OF THE INDIVIDUAL – THE POWER OF ONE. WE ARE GROWING CORALS AT AN ACCELERATED RATE TO FIGHT THE LOSS OF BIODIVERSITY ON CORAL REEFS THROUGH FREQUENT DISTURBANCE. WE DO IT THROUGH PARTNERSHIPS AND IT IS THROUGH THE LEADERSHIP OF COMPANIES LIKE TROPIC SKINCARE THAT WE ARE ABLE TO DO WHAT WE DO.”
” RYAN DONNELLY – CEO OF REEF RESTORATION FOUNDATION
shop with confidence
At Tropic, they know just how important transparency is when it comes to sustainability. In fact, they use Provenance, a software that brings all of this ethical information together in clear Proof Points, to validate their claims. Covering everything from cruelty-free, vegan status, to the origins of the ingredients, and the various charity partnerships, this software ensures that you can shop with confidence, knowing that your product is truly sustainable and ethical. Plus, you can check all the other beauty brands using Providence and compare them on the platform! To learn more about Tropic Skincare’s full sustainability profile, click here.
awards & certifications
What began as a market stall side hustle, has now blossomed into a multi-award-winning business with millions of customers and over 30,000 five-star reviews.
Disclosure: ad, Tropic Sun Day was offered as a sample to try. All my opinions are honest, unbiased and free from commercial concerns. I did not receive any commission for this post.