This morning, I was alerted by my sister to this piece of news in our local paper The Star. Apparently, all our sunscreens and sunblocks are killing off coral on the sea bed and by extension, killing off marine life.
So, the Terengganu government will only allow ‘green’ and eco-friendly sunblocks for use on Redang Island which is rich in corals and marine life (Do you know I’ve never been to Redang Island? I gotta remedy that!)
Before scoffing (as I do) I did a quick search online and I found that the National Geographic had said the same thing. Chemical sunscreens washed off swimmers are affecting the coral life in the seas – they can bleach corals and activate algae viruses. (source) 4 common ingredients in sunscreens are : paraben, cinnamate, benzophenone, and a camphor derivative. Other sites include octinoxate and oxybenzone as harmful ingredients to marine life.
The National Geographic site recommends that people use sunscreens with physical filters – usually Titanium Dioxide or Zinc Oxide – and eco-friendly sunscreens.
Personally, I’m not quite sure what all this means.
Even physical filters will be contained within a chemical compound that forms the cream which we apply on our bodies. So, what about those creams then? The local Terengganu government says they will be coming up with a list of sunscreens or sunblocks that will be allowed on Redang Island. I would be interested to see that list.
From my limited knowledge, I have not yet come across an easily available and affordable ‘green’ and ‘eco-friendly’ sunblock in our drugstores and pharmacies. If you are aware of any that are easily available here in Malaysia, please leave a comment – it will be very useful!
I set my gopher sis to do some online searching and she came up with some sites which we could find useful:-
- Smartshield sunscreen – marine friendly
- Best Beach and Sport Sunscreen – Lavera sunscreen is listed and might be available here but I’m not sure
- Some organic eco sunscreens – cannot recognize any as available here except maybe Jurlique and SPF15 is not sufficient for me
Now here is the problem.
Are ‘green’ ‘eco-friendly’ sunscreens easily available in Malaysia? I’d say no.
If they are available, are they expensive? In general, yes.
Will I buy ‘green’ ‘eco friendly’ sunscreens? Only if they will work for me, are easily accessible and do not break me out. Remember, just because something is organic or natural does not mean you will not be allergic to it.
I love our corals and our marine life and I don’t want them to die because I’m protecting myself from the sun’s harmful UV rays. But if it comes down to paying an inordinate amount of money for sunscreen that might break me out in a rash just for one trip to the beach, I might have to reconsider going swimming in the sea (I don’t usually unless I snorkel) and I’d just sit by the beach. I’m quite happy with the latter and if I don’t swim in the sea, I can stick to my regular sunscreen right? 🙂
I don’t know – my head hurts 😛
Please share your thoughts on this or on ‘green’ ‘eco-friendly’ sunscreens in general. Everything contains chemicals these days and I wonder if its not these ‘green eco-friendly’ sunscreen companies that are going to be making a killing out of this – so says the cynic in me 🙂
Paris B
Note: The image of Nemo from Disney’s Finding Nemo was used because Nemo is a clown fish that is found in abundance in our warm tropical waters and they live among sea anemones and corals
I do know all about green suncare. But my bone to pick is with Terengganu govt’s harebrained scheme of allowing/disallowing certain sunscreens. Implementation? Enforcement? Are you going to check through my bags? I’m not about to allow some sleazy govt officer paw through my bags! So typically politicians (australian, terengganu, seems like the prereq to be a politician is the ability to spew crap) to come up with airy fairy ideas with no proper planning nor afterthought. I’m all for saving our marine life and the environment. To begin, let’s stop wasting our resources, chopping down our rainforests and using harmful chemicals in our households. If we can’t teach the society to be a little concern about the little we can do at home, you can’t expect them to care about sunscreens for the marine.
Sorry for the long rant.
Haha I have my beef with that too but I’m saving it for my ranty site 😉 are there affordable green sunscreen in australia?
There shld be. I’ll keep an eye out if I can. But it’s autumn now so there probably won’t be any new products 🙂
Don’t go snorkelling – problem solved 😛
Haha that’s true 🙂
Hello Paris,
I am wondering if you have attended any L’Oreal warehouse sale and if yes, how was it and if it is worth going? (I am crowd-phobic, so if the price is not too much lower than the usual price, I might as well pass…)
I know there is one tomorrow around Bukit Bintang area, so I am just wondering if anyone is going…
If you’re phobic don’t go. The crowds are crazy! Some items are heavily discounted especially if they are being discontinued or have their packging changed or are near expiry. I won’t be going but if I have time I might drop by in the evening when crowds are less
yea, i also heard on the radio that either terengganu/kelantan/kedah’s government passed a rule that women are not allowed to wear lipstick that is too red, or high heels that are too noisy, so at least this sunscreen thing is more reasonable sounding since it has the ecosystem in mind.
anyway i really agree with u Paris! just because something is organic/natural whatever, doesnt mean u wont be allergic to it! i somehow cannot use ANYTHING organic! all must be synthethic and ful of manufactured goodness. haha!
and also, i LOVE the Guerlain meteorties perles! than you SO MUCH for introing them to me, it’s really amazing! some magic in the powder that makes u glow and covers imperfections…sigh. to quote paris “*hugs my guerlain meteorites*”. =)
I don’t read The Star anymore. Well, I just don’t read Malaysian newspapers anymore since I moved here. I am glad I spotted your post as we are avid swimmers and divers. I have saved the post to show my husband who dives whenever he’s got a chance to.
I will pay extra to buy a GREEN SS just for the coral I love for sure. I was disheartened over the recent oil spill up in Queensland and Mexico. But how is the government going on the REENFORCEMENT, especially when such products aren’t readily available? I know Malaysian government isn’t very good at doing that… Perhaps it’s more pocket $$$ for the police or $$$ for the rich hotels that happen to sell such products in case you haven’t brought some of your own since now Redang Island is going to aim at the high society only. (How many of the local high and mighty actually enjoy the SUN and DIVE???!!! Unless we are talking about foreign tourists…/travelers only…) I can rant and rant on this subject….
Anyway, Redang Island is beautiful marine life paradise, (& I am sorry you haven’t been there).
Thanks for the information. I am passing it to my husband…
I’ve been using Coppertone since I dunno when… if it hurts the corals, then it’s only right we all change the sunscreens we use… the rate of coral destruction caused by tourism is very very rapid… Some ignorant tourists would ‘accidentaly’ step on the corals and also decide to take home some ‘souvenirs’… I’m not saying everyone is like that but I’ve been some of them doing that… don’t get me started on littering!! horrible horrible…
Quick go to Redang Island before the gov turns it into some expensive playground for the rich & famous… i think it’s really silly for them to do so… I stayed at Berjaya and u don’t have to go far to see fishies~~ just the beach in front of the resort is gud enough. But that was years ago. not sure abt now =)
Hey Paris, thanks for the heads up. I’m planning a trip to Redang (also first time) in Aug for diving (yay!), it’ll be sad if i was banned from using my sunscreen cos it wasnt eco friendly!
Lol, read up the other articles and already ordering to more wallet friendly ones online. Just in case you’re curious i’m getting the jason natural cosmetics one and the alba hawaiian one (cos i dont like lavender).
I use the Buds Baby sunscreen for the beach 🙂 All natural ingredients. It’s discontinued but the new organic version is coming out in august.
Badger Balm has an organic sunscreen without those marine-harming ingredients.
My daughter aspires to be a marine scientist and she loves snorkelling. She cried when I told her that some ss are harmful to the corals & fishes!