Reefs are at Risk. What is in Your Sunscreen?

MyChelle Dermaceuticals is collaborating with Coral Restoration Foundation™, a nonprofit conservation organization that runs the largest coral reef restoration effort in the world. For the entire month of July, MyChelle will be donating 1% of all net proceeds from mychelle.com to the Coral Restoration Foundation™.

We don’t need to be convinced that wearing sunscreen is important to protect our skin. This is not news. Men, women, and children of all skin colors should wear sunscreen. Summertime is when sunscreen use and sales are at their peak, and this is a great thing. What‘s not great is the impact sunscreen has on marine life. Approximately 14,000 tons of sunscreen wash off swimmers and water sports enthusiasts each year. Our seas, and specifically our world’s coral reefs, are harmed by Oxybenzone and Octinoxate, common sunscreen ingredients.

Oxybenzone and Octinoxate NEVER biodegrade and have been shown to join forces with dormant viruses living in coral reefs, causing irreversible damage and sometimes fatal bleaching. You are probably wondering how “bleaching” affects our coral reefs. Well, you see, bleaching obstructs the growth of new coral, a problem when approximately 1 million species in our oceans depend on reefs to survive. Scientists theorize that our coral reefs have already been adversely affected by these bleaching events. Studies reveal that the Great Barrier Reef has declined by 40%, Caribbean reefs by 85%, and the Florida Keys‘ reefs by a dramatic 99%!

Why should we be concerned? The main reason is coral reefs support nearly 24% of marine life, yet cover less than 1% of the ocean floor. Really, think about that! We can help stop the destruction, and teach others to make a difference, by following a few tips:

Avoid Toxic Ingredients

Pass up chemical sunscreens made with Oxybenzone, Octinoxate, Butyparaben, Retinypalmitate, and 4-Methylbenzylide Camphor. Choose natural sunscreens that are reef friendly, vegetarian, and cruelty free.

Make a Switch 

Choose 100% mineral sun–protection products that direct UV rays away from your skin.

Take Cover 

Shield yourself from the sun by wearing clothing that protects you, such as hats and long-sleeved shirts.

When you think about sun protection, please remember our coral reef friends. Sun protection and reef protection go hand in hand. We need to help the planet by doing our part. It’s not enough to keep sun products safe and clean for us — we need to keep them safe and clean for the ocean as well. Let me introduce you to my friends at MyChelle dermaceuticals. All their sun–care products are reef friendly, 100% non-nano, broad spectrum UVA/UVB, vegetarian, cruelty free, and free of phthalates, parabens, sulfates, ureas, artificial fragrances and colors, petroleum, GMOs, and gluten. Their mineral–based sunscreen is the best! Thank you MyChelle dermaceuticals for introducing me to your reef-friendly sun protection line.

They are definitely pioneers in advanced bioactive skincare. Since their inception, they have changed the natural beauty industry by being the first beauty company to incorporate anti-aging peptides, plant stem cells, and clinically proven dermatological ingredients. MyChelle dermaceauticals practices sustainable, eco-friendly manufacturing techniques, and they offer a complete line of highly effective, targeted treatments including cleansers, exfoliators, serums, moisturizers, and sun protection. You definitely want to check out this special company.

Even better, MyChelle dermaceuticals is currently collaborating with Coral Restoration Foundation™, a nonprofit conservation organization that runs the largest coral reef restoration effort in the world. For the entire month of July, MyChelle will be donating 1% of their net proceeds from mychelle.com to the Coral Restoration Foundation™. You can help by shopping with MyChelle now through July 31st.

Let’s give our reefs love! Please, consider what is in your sunscreen.

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@debbiessavage + @savagemaison

Photography by Bleudogfotography