The summer solstice is just around the corner, and I’m positive many of you have already enjoyed the warmer weather, a trip to the beach, or a lie-down at the park. I for one have made my move over to Hawaii, which has made me somewhat of an expert on the best reef-safe sunscreens. You see, Hawaii has strict guidelines when it comes to protecting their corals, and any sunscreen that contains harmful chemicals are banned. What are those chemicals, you ask? For Hawaii, it’s oxybenzone and octinoxate. It’s important therefore to look through the ingredient list and make sure these two chemicals aren’t included when purchasing a reef-safe sunscreen. Instead, you want to look for zinc oxide and titanium dioxide.

During my last visit, I brought a number of my favorite sunscreens to Hawaii, only to realize a good number of them weren’t reef-safe. Sure, I could wear them while walking around Waikiki or enjoying a hike up the Pu’u Pia trail, but that would mean packing two different sunscreens, and who has space for that in their luggage? To make sure you’re following proper guidelines, I’ve listed out the best reef-safe sunscreens, below.

What’s the difference between mineral and chemical sunscreen?

Chemical sunscreens absorb UV rays and convert them into heat, whereas mineral sunscreens physically block and reflect UV rays off the surface of your skin. Chemical sunscreens typically have oxybenzone and octinoxate in their formulations, but mineral sunscreens lean on zinc oxide and titanium dioxide to block off UV rays. And because the latter keeps any UV rays and chemicals from ever entering the skin, people with sensitive skin types can tolerate them better. Mineral sunscreens, therefore, are better for both skin, coral, and environment, making them the optimal choice for travel.