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Is Smidge Sunscreen Reef Safe?

3 Feb 2025

Is Smidge Sunscreen Reef Safe?


Is Smidge sunscreen reef safe? Great question! The term reef safe can be a bit misleading—it’s not a regulated label and is often used for greenwashing. At Smidge, we focus on transparency and emphasise the tangible steps we take to reduce our environmental impact. Read on to learn more.





What Does Reef Safe Sunscreen Mean?

In 2021, Hawaii passed a law (bill SB2571) banning the sale of sunscreens containing oxybenzone and octinoxate, two chemical UV filters shown to harm coral reefs.


For sunscreen to be considered reef safe or reef friendly, brands should exclude ingredients known for their toxicity to marine life.


At Smidge, we do not use oxybenzone or octinoxate—the two key ingredients banned under Hawaii’s Safe Sunscreen Bill. While this means we meet the criteria often associated with the term reef safe, we avoid using it loosely. Why? Because the term ‘reef safe’ is frequently misused in greenwashing. For instance, does simply removing harmful ingredients while packaging products in plastic truly make a sunscreen reef safe? We don’t think so.


“Of course, the best chance coral reefs have of survival is to slow the progress of climate change”- Smithsonian, 2022


More importantly, the leading threat to coral reefs isn’t sunscreen toxicity—it’s climate change. That’s why Smidge focuses on broader, meaningful sustainability efforts.


Smidge Approach to Sustainability

Protecting the environment is at the heart of Smidge. Here’s what we do to make a difference:


Support ocean conservation: 2% of your purchase is donated to ocean conservation.

Say no to plastic: We use plastic-free, recyclable packaging and FSC-certified shipping materials.

Reduce our carbon footprint: Smidge sunscreen is made locally in New Zealand, reducing transport emissions.

Save water: Smidge doesn't contain any of this precious resource!


Make every Smidge count! Our waterless formulas last 2–3x longer than conventional sunscreens, proving that less is more—better for you and better for the planet.


Want to learn more? Check out our Our Impact page.




 

Learn More:

Our 7 Safe Sunscreen Ingredients

 

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