Finding a good everyday sunscreen is one thing, but it’s worth switching things up when you hit the beach. In order to protect marine environments, the best SPF for the beach tends to be what’s known as “reef safe”: It doesn’t contain ingredients known to do additional damage to coral reefs.
‘Reef-safe’ is an unregulated term, but generally refers to sunscreens free of oxybenzone and octinoxate, which are linked to coral damage,” says Ursula Diaz, cofounder of Honor MD Skincare and the Dr. John Diaz Med Spa in Beverly Hills.
How to protect yourself from sun while swimming
If you’re venturing out into the water, the best way to protect yourself from the sun is to wear a long-sleeve shirt, rash guard, or wet suit, and only apply sunscreen to the neck, face, and the back of your hands. According to the Divers Alert Network, the largest scuba diving safety association, this strategy reduces sunscreen loads in the water by 90 percent.
What to look for in a reef-safe sunscreen
For typical days at the beach, there are two ingredients to steer clear of on your SPF’s ingredient label: oxybenzone and octinoxate.
“I generally recommend any 100% mineral, non-nano zinc oxide sunscreen that avoids oxybenzone and octinoxate,” says dermatologist Dr. Naana Boakye, who dispenses skin advice to more than 61,000 followers on Instagram. “These ingredients are better for both the skin and the environment, especially for patients who are ocean enthusiasts or eco-conscious.”
FYI, You don’t necessarily need an SPF over SPF 50 to get adequate sun protection. “Properly applied SPF 50 sunscreen blocks 98 percent of UVB rays; SPF 100 blocks 99 percent,” according to the Environmental Working Group. “When used correctly, sunscreen with SPF values between 30 and 50 offers adequate sunburn protection, even for people most sensitive to sunburn.”
Boakye’s given us her recommendation for best reef-safe sunscreen below, plus we found TK more top-of-their game skin experts to recommend their best reef-safe SPF picks, too. Then, we checked them against the Environmental Working Group’s ratings for personal health and environmental safety and only included those that were top scorers.
The result? A great list of reef-safe sunscreens, as recommended by those who know best. Read on and shop their expert picks below.
Dermatologists’ top picks for reef-safe SPFs:
Blue Lizard Sport Mineral Sunscreen Lotion SPF 50, $10: Affordable water-resistant formula for sensitive skin
Peter Thomas Roth Max Mineral Tinted Sunscreen SPF 45, $38: Airy, mousse-like SPF that acts like a blurring primer
La Roche-Posay Anthelios Mineral SPF 50 Gentle Lotion, $26: Primer-like SPF with water resistance
La Roche‑Posay Anthelios 60 Ultra Light Fluid, $36: Lightweight formula also great for daily use
EltaMD UV Clear Broad-Spectrum SPF 46, $45: Derm-loved SPF has niacinamide to reduce redness
