Is there a preferred sun screen product used on the island?

[Couv]

Is there a preferred sun screen product? I know clothes, hats, etc. work best, but sometimes it cannot be helped. Something reef safe and effective of course.

Links appreciated.

Thanks,

couv

 

[tursiops]

Stream2Sea

 

[RIHappyDiver]

Home - Stream2Sea.com. I understand their mask defog is really good, as well.

Another one that my wife and I have used is Badger Balm Reef Safe Sunscreens. It's a bit thicker, but holds up well. I also like it because it's a family owned company in New Hampshire, so local for me (I used to live in the same county).

 

[drrich2]

You will see Stream2Sea for sale in a number of places, from what I recall. I used it in Bonaire, and it seemed to work fine.

Richard.

 

[NDL_Diver]

We use "ThinkSport". Avaliable at whole foods. Reef safe Zinc (also states on tube) and blends in really well. SPF 50+.

It is our everyday sunscreen. Don't like the other chemical (non reef safe) types.

 

[tursiops]

Beware of products that call themselves reef-safe or reef-friendly; those words have no legal/regulatory/defined meaning. You have to look at the ingredients list. If you see any of following, it is bad stuff. It may be a fine sunscreen for YOU, but not for the reef.
From Sunscreen 101: Protecting Your Skin and Coral Reefs - Coral Reef Alliance

Key ingredients to avoid are Oxybenzone and Octinoxate. Additionally, look out for Benzophenone-1, Benzophenone-8, OD-PABA, 4-Methylbenzylidene camphor, 3-Benzylidene camphor, and Octocrylene. These can affect corals’ reproductive cycle, damage DNA, and worsen the effects of coral bleaching.​

Also, many of these chemicals use different names, possibly to hide what they actually are.

 

[NDL_Diver]

Beware of products that call themselves reef-safe or reef-friendly; those words have no legal/regulatory/defined meaning. You have to look at the ingredients list. If you see any of following, it is bad stuff. It may be a fine sunscreen for YOU, but not for the reef.
From Sunscreen 101: Protecting Your Skin and Coral Reefs - Coral Reef Alliance

Key ingredients to avoid are Oxybenzone and Octinoxate. Additionally, look out for Benzophenone-1, Benzophenone-8, OD-PABA, 4-Methylbenzylidene camphor, 3-Benzylidene camphor, and Octocrylene. These can affect corals’ reproductive cycle, damage DNA, and worsen the effects of coral bleaching.​

Also, many of these chemicals use different names, possibly to hide what they actually are.

Correct,
Thinksport is non-nano Zinc Oxide 20% as listed in Sunscreen 101. Non of that bad chemical crap you listed.

 

[bubblemonkey2]

Wetsuits, long sleeve hooded quickdry watershirts & bottoms, hats, gloves, shade ...

 

[NDL_Diver]

Wetsuits, long sleeve hooded quickdry watershirts & bottoms, hats, gloves, shade ...

And most important, 60' of seawater!

 

[USC8791]