Rethinking our "footprint"

This article really made me think about the effect we have on the environment, knowingly or unknowingly. Here we are trying to literally save our skin, and we're killing the reefs in the process.
Sun lotions help to kill coral reefs - Times Online

 

Amazing. Where does it end?

 

Maybe they'll come out with something reef safe one of these days.

 

Tropic Seas makes a Reef Safe Product.

 

+1 for that, thanks!

I'll bookmark that for the next time I go to the beach, lake michigan or the ocean...

 

Where does it state that it is reef safe?

 

Matt there is a little menu button below the picture and to the right that says "Reef Safe Info" - But since I usually can describe to well and people can't find it here is what it says below.

I also read an article in one of my co-workers diving magazines about this company that was how I knew about it. They won some kind of Earth Friendly Award recently for their products and that was what the article was about.

Reef Safe Suncare
Below is a informational guide, about our REEF SAFE Sun Care:




TESTING THE LABEL CLAIM:
SPF = Sun Protection Factor. Example: if you normally can stay in the sun for 30 minutes without burning, an SPF 4 would allow you 120 minutes (but beware, would need to be re-applied every 80 minutes if water proof, every 40 minutes if water-resistant and if neither (static) then every 20 minutes; also if you have toweled off, this tends to remove the sun block and would need to be re-applied. Our SPF 30 is a total sun block and waterproof/sweat proof for 80 minutes. The FDA states at the equator on the hottest day of the year with Skin Type One Individual (most sensitive) you would only need an SPF 29.33 for complete protection provided was applied properly. Excess sunscreen could be dangerous effects are still unknown. According to the FDA any SPF over an SPF 30 may eventually become a prescription drug. It takes approximately 1.25 oz of lotion to properly cover the average person petite less, larger more; application per person may vary slightly.

What was Waterproof is now called "Very Water Resistant": Product will protect you at the labeled SPF up to 4 - 20 minute swims. See our test results for labeled SPF NOTE: we usually include an extra margin of sunscreens in our products, due to the Tropical Resorts & areas in which we are marketed. Our consumer will never get burned if you advise them of the proper application of BEACH BUFF REEF ®SAFE SUN CARE PRODUCTS. *Just as a reference how many kids jump right into the water after having sunscreen applied? Best to apply before you even leave the house, which allows the film forming agents of our Reef Safe sun block to dry and totally adhere to the skin. Also they may swim 20-30 minutes then get out and Mom or Grandma wraps them up in a huge towel and rubs off all the sun block! Re-application after towel-off is extremely important for our customer's safety in the sun. Hence we do not, nor ever will produce an all-day sunscreen as it is deceitful to the user & will eventually cause damage to the consumer's skin‚ the FDA currently has proposed that they will eventually ban this terminology. An outside lab does our test results; they prove that our SPF lotions average between 109 to 127% water resistance and 109 to 111% rub resistance.

Note: To remove lotions wash skin with soap & warm water – rinse well. Always apply Eternal Summer to re-hydrate and re-moisturize skin after sun exposure.

All SPFs are formulated in a REEF SAFE Biodegradable base (bio-degrades in less than a year vs. ten years of most Mass market and other Brands). PABA Free, Oil Free, Waterproof, Sweat proof and dermatologist tested for sensitive skin.

Special technology for our waterproof system binds & locks the sunscreen actives and ingredients in our lotion to your skin forming a protective film. This makes the lotion stay on your skin rather than float off into the ocean waters & reefs.

Mineral oil is a filler used by most mass-market brands, BEACH BUFF® is totally Oil Free = no fillers and short time frame to biodegrade.

REEF SAFE is defined in the dictionary as safe to add to an aquarium, transpose this to our Oceans and marine life = Safe to add to the Oceans and Reef Systems. Over the years I have had the privilege to enjoy Diving, snorkeling, boating, fishing in Florida, The Keys and the Caribbean. One calm day while snorkeling I noticed a scum forming around several other snorkelers, but not around myself (even our first generation formulas were better) and asked what sun block they had on? (This effect would be similar to those who slather on a tanning oil then jump right into your pool and the oil slick ends up on your tile). They showed me the bottle and I read the ingredients and noticed they were very inexpensive ingredients (and was a National Name Brand); the second ingredient on list was mineral oil. The product stated waterproof‚ but was doubtful as the product came off the minute they hit the water. This led me to investigate the ingredients further and to formulate an Oil Free, Highly waterproof (more than 80 minutes) environmentally friendly base lotion to use as the sunscreen carrier for the BEACH BUFF® products. If the product stays adhered to your skin it will provide more protection for your skin as well as not pollute the eco-system. In addition we researched thru a major oil company the effects of how long it would take to bio-degrade mineral oil (the main ingredient in most mass market sun tan products), the answer was over ten years. Thus the need to formulate an oil free base. We researched and eventually located ingredients that are environmentally friendly and wherever possible from renewable resources. We are not trying to be deceitful with false advertising of "ALL NATURAL", but all ingredients are from Planet Earth, however, some synthetic ingredients are not only better for your skin, but also better for the environment. It took over two years of constant laboratory development and sample batches to perfect an oil free formula that provided all of the benefits required for the skin, as well as was REEF SAFE & Environmentally friendly.

Lotion oil or gel? All are ingredient vehicles. This means they are a basic form of product that carries the sunscreen actives to the skin, as well as moisturizes and that helps protect skin from the elements. The different forms are offered to accommodate consumer preference. We are constantly researching different ingredients and techniques to keep BEACH BUFF® superior to all others on the market. We recommend only the SPF 45, 30 or 15 lotions for all water/sports activities.

UV-A & UV-B: Broad spectrum means that we utilize sunscreen actives that absorb the sun rays in the UV-A wavelength: 320-340 nm (nanometers) are normally weak in the reddening of the skin. UV-B wavelength: 290 - 320 nm causes sunburn or Erythema (skin reddening) reaction; maximum reddening becomes visible within several hours after exposure. UV-C does not reach the earth’s surface, so no worries. Our ultraviolet spectrophotometer test results show us the absorbance level (SPF) of each batch of sunscreen product we produce, thus the quality is consistent to the user. Two of our Sunscreen actives are Octinoxate and Octisalate, which offer UV-B protection and a third: Oxybenzone offers UV-A as well as some UV-B protection. In our SPF 30 we also add Titanium Dioxide to help with overall UV-A & UV-B broad-spectrum absorption. We do not utilize any PABA based sunscreens, which have been found to be more irritating to the skin.

OTHER INGREDIENTS: Our SPF's are registered with the FDA as OTC DRUGS, and our labels are following the new tentative final monograph using the‚ Drug Facts Table, listing all ingredients as well as the percent actives in the formula. Please see our individual list of product ingredients located on each product. You will find only quality ingredients in our products that we have evaluated over the years and selected only the very best quality manufacturers to supply us. In our opinion there is no such thing as "All Natural" as the product would not be stable or safe to use from a preservative standpoint. BEACH BUFF® "Reef Safe" is an environmentally safe & friendly product that manufactures using more naturally derived ingredients wherever possible. NO ANIMAL BY-PRODUCTS & NO ANIMAL TESTING. "OTHERS MAY SAY THEY DO - BEACH BUFF PROVES WHAT WE SAY"

PRICE: According to a consumer magazine article; "Price should be an issue regarding sun care products‚" How ridiculous! Would you risk your skin protection to the cheapest brand on the shelf? Obviously there is a difference, in addition to paying for the product & package you are receiving:

Our guarantee that our product performs according to our label claims piece of mind for the consumer and the environment.

Research & Development is not inexpensive; to be the best we are continually allocating funds to R&D.

Personal consultation as to your skin type & the perfect system to keep your skin healthy. If all skin were the same there would only be one product.

Please remember, a BEACH BUFF® user is usually loyal and they will tell you it is the best and keep returning to re-purchase because of our quality.

The safety & comfort of visitors to your resort is of our primary concern.

QUALITY CONTROL AND QUALITY ASSURANCE
BEACH BUFF® starts with only the finest ingredients, for their purity and reputation of their manufacturer. After all if you do not start with quality ingredients, you cannot achieve a superior quality finished product. Once the ingredient source has been approved, internal specifications are set and each arriving shipment of the ingredients are sampled and tested, making sure that it meets or exceeds BEACH BUFF® standards prior to being released for use in the manufacture of our products.


Note: According to the FDA, the fairest skinned person (Type 1) at the Equator on the hottest day of the year would only need an SPF of 29.55 (assuming properly applied), you would not burn.

All SPFs are formulated in a REEF SAFE Biodegradable base (bio-degrades in less than a year vs ten years of most Mass market and other Brands). PABA Free, Oil Free, Waterproof, Sweat proof and dermatologist tested for sensitive skin.

No Mineral Oil, No Animal Testing, No Animal By-products and are Dye free as well. SPF 45, 30 & 15 products are fragrance free.


All BEACH BUFF® lotion formulas are specially formulated to thin out when on the beach or pool deck for easier rub-in and dispensing. Just shake the bottle prior to use, this will settle lotion at the end with cap. When stored in air conditioning product will thicken slightly. By storing with cap end down allows gravity to pull lotion to dispensing cap for easier application. REMEMBER: apply at least 5 minutes before entering into the water; the longer dry time the better.


NO ANIMAL BY-PRODUCTS & NO ANIMAL TESTING. "OTHERS MAY SAY THEY DO - BEACH BUFF PROVES WHAT WE SAY"
"Reef Safe"