Image By Matt McDonald / 63mph.com
Since August 2016 Mana Foods has made sure to only carry and sell reef safe sunscreen...
Long before the state of Hawaii banned sunscreen containing harmful chemicals, Mana Food's decided to take matters into our own hands and stop selling sunscreen that wasn’t reef safe. The health of the environment, including ocean reefs, is a huge priority to all of us at Mana Foods. Thus, in an effort to do everything we can to do our part on this front we’ve made it our mission to locate, carry and sell the best reef safe sunscreens that we can get our hands on.
First, a bit about sunscreen and how it’s harming reefs…
“Over the past three years, one-fifth of the world’s coral reefs have died off — and there is a growing awareness that sunscreen is playing a role. From 6,000 to 14,000 tons of sunscreen slide off of humans into coral reef areas each year, exposing the gorgeous underwater ecosystems to chemicals that can kill them.”
“These coral-rich coastal areas include Hawaii. And that’s why the island state is about to become the first in the nation to prohibit sunscreens that contain oxybenzone and octinoxate, chemicals some scientists and lawmakers say are endangering coral reefs.”
“Already Hawaii’s reefs are under threat. In recent years researchers have documented unprecedented levels of coral bleaching. In a 2017 study, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration scientists found that 56 percent of the Big Island’s coral was bleached, as was 44 percent of West Maui’s corals, and 32 percent of Oahu’s reefs.” -Julia Belluz via VOX
Mana's favorite reef safe sunscreens and why…
TropicSport
Their Story...
Image from TropicSport's Website
Co-Founders Tony and Lisa Palmer were ahead of their time...
Image from TropicSport's Website
Image from TropicSport's Website
"Tony Palmer grew up surfing in Queensland, Australia, but moved to the U.S. in the late 1990s for work. He was inspired to start the sunscreen company after seeing bleached and dying coral reefs. He began researching and discovered that chemical-based sunscreens had been linked to the damage. And, he said, he was troubled by the idea of putting the same chemicals on his skin."
Image from TropicSport's Website
"For about five years, the Palmers developed the mineral sunscreen with a focus on surfers and extreme athletes. They worked with a formulator in California to develop a mineral-based sunscreen that would weather the wind, sand and surf for hours at a time, but without the chemicals." -Melissa Repko
What they stand for...
TropicSport is the official sunscreen and skincare brand of USA Water Polo and US Master Swimming and their whole motto is what they call they "The 3 C's."
Care for your skin
Their sunscreen is gentle and natural enough for daily use, while also designed to last through hours of sun, sweat, sand, and water.
Care for the environment
Their sunscreen is mineral based and does not contain any harsh chemical active ingredients. TropicSport is cruelty free and is not toxic to marine life.
Care for the communities
TropicSport donates up to 20% of their sales to like-minded organizations like Mauli Ola Foundation, Surfrider Foundation, Jimmy Miller foundation, and Surfers Healing.
TropicSport also attends and hosts events all around the country aimed at informing and educating communities about sun care and skin care.
"Raw Love reef-safe sunscreen is made for people who love to dive, surf, swim, paddle, hike and adventure in the sun with friends in tow. Raw Love was created on the beautiful island of Maui in 2015 by a dive master and SNUBA instructor who is constantly on the water and in the sun. Jenna Davis wanted to protect her skin and tattoos without using chemicals that stung her eyes and had the potential to hurt the reef and her body, so she developed an eco-friendly, reef friendly, biodegradable, moisturizing mineral sunscreen! Check out our sunscreen ingredients—safe for the entire family." -Raw Love Sunscreen
Maui Naturals & Maui Surfer Honey Natural Sunscreen (locally made)
"We offer two Natural Mineral Based Sunscreens without harmful chemicals. No Parabens, no avobenzone or oxybenzone. No Nano particles. They are Reef Safe and People Safe."
"We base our claims on an unbiased view presented by the Environmental Working Group, a non-profit organization whose mission is to protect the environment and the people who live in it. Go to EWG.ORG to find out about the Environmental Working Group."
"Each of our two Sunscreens has received the coveted #1 rating from the Environmental Working Group. To access the report for Maui Surfer Honey SPF 30, go to: EWG Surfer Honey Report. to access the report for Maui Natural SPF 30, go to: EWG Maui Natural Report." -Maui Naturals
Image from Maui Naturals Website
Image from Maui Naturals Website
Image from Zeb's Website
"Zeb's Organics was created by two Colorado Native parents on a mission to create products that are safe, effective, and affordable. We created these products for our son Zeb." -Zeb's
"None of our sunscreen contains chemicals. We use all natural mineral based ingredients to block UV rays"
"We don't use any chemicals that have been shown to be harmful to ocean life. We also do not use Titanium Di-Oxide which in some studies has shown to be harmful to ocean life."
"We have created a formula that minimizes whitening compared to other natural sunscreens. Our formula is also easy to apply."
"Zeb's Organics Sunscreen is broad spectrum... it blocks both UVA & UVB radiation." -Zeb's
