---

Biodegradable sunscreen

The sun care industry has gotten in on the environment-friendly bandwagon by offering biodegradable sunscreen. Very few products admittedly, but its a start. Not only are people becoming more health conscious, they're starting to go green. The growing concern for the environment and our place in it has become a popular topic among the general public, leading many manufacturers to rethink the way they develop and distribute their products.

But what exactly does the term “biodegradable” mean? When a product is labeled biodegradable, this means it has the ability to dissolve within the environment without causing harm to nature and its surroundings. This allows for a cleaner method of waste that won't contribute to pollution or toxicity in our waters and other natural settings.

Wearing sunscreen has the potential to harm the environment, surprisingly. Studies have shown that the millions of sunscreen wearers around the globe end up having their sunscreen washed off while swimming in the ocean, lakes and rivers. As a result, the chemicals present in the sunscreen travels and does damage to the water and its inhabitants. The most recent studies have spotlighted the negative effects sunscreen can have on coral reefs. The chemicals tend to bleach and destroy the coral reefs, causing them to die, which throws off the natural balance of the sea and deprives the animals that live in the coral reef of a home.

Because of studies like this, a few sun care companies now sell biodegradable sunscreen, which means you still get the necessary UVA and UVB protection but without the harmful ingredients. Instead, these sunscreens make use of ingredients that easily break down in the environment. There are some brands that specialize exclusively in biodegradable sunscreen and can be found at online specialty stores. Many of these brands also carry formulas that are gentle on the skin and are often especially suitable for younger children and babies.