Can Sunscreens Harm Coral Reefs? Addressing Environmental Concerns and Offering Practical Recommendations

The crucial role sunscreen plays in preventing sunburns, photoaging, and skin cancer is unquestionable, and as a result, it is incumbent upon dermatologists to influence patients to appropriately use sunscreens. In addition to explaining the benefits of sunscreen use and how to properly use sunscreen, dermatologists must also address possible barriers or concerns that patients may have regarding sunscreen. One concern that has gained increasing media attention in the recent years has been the environmental impact of sunscreens, especially the impact on coral reefs. There is strong evidence that some sunscreen ingredients, especially oxybenzone, are harmful to corals if the concentration in water is high. In some situations, primarily related to the number of swimmers and the geography of the shoreline, concentrations of oxybenzone far exceed the levels shown to be harmful to corals. As advocates for our patients' skin health, we need to be prepared to address this issue when asked, so that patients do not forgo sunscreen use in an effort to protect corals. This article will review evidence regarding the effects of sunscreen ingredients on corals and will provide practical guidance for counseling patients on how to select sunscreens that minimize the potential for harm to coral reefs.