We love the sea and want to make thoughtful choices about the ingredients used in our sun creams.
The terms reef safe and ocean friendly do not have a single legally defined or universally agreed meaning. When these terms are used in conversations about Green People sun care, the specific formulation choice behind them is that our sun creams are not formulated with the UV filters Oxybenzone or Octinoxate.
This does not mean that our sun creams, or the other UV filters they contain, have no environmental impact or have been proven harmless to every coral species or marine organism.
At a glance
- Sunscreen ingredients can enter marine environments through swimming and wastewater, and some UV filters have been studied for their potential effects on corals
- Reef safe is not legally defined or governed by one universally agreed sunscreen standard
- Green People sun creams are not formulated with Oxybenzone or Octinoxate
- Different sun creams use different UV-filter systems according to their protection requirements
- For those who prefer a mineral formula, Scent Free Mineral Sun Cream SPF30 uses 100% non-nano Zinc Oxide
Made without Oxybenzone or Octinoxate
Green People sun creams are made without:
- Oxybenzone (also known as Benzophenone-3)
- Octinoxate (also known as Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate)
These UV filters have been studied for their potential effects on corals and other aquatic organisms, and you may prefer to avoid them when choosing your sun protection.
The International Coral Reef Initiative has reviewed the available research into these ingredients. Its report identifies Oxybenzone as a substance of concern while also recognising limitations in the evidence and the need for further research into effects at reef-community and ecosystem level.
You can read the International Coral Reef Initiative review to understand the current scientific landscape.
Why the complete picture matters
There is no single universally applied standard that establishes whether a complete sunscreen formula is 'reef safe'. The environmental effects of a sun cream may depend on
- all the ingredients in the formula
- the amount that enters the water
- the concentration reached
- the specific marine species exposed to it
- local environmental conditions
This is why we explain the specific formulation choice behind reef-safe and ocean-friendly wording rather than claiming that our products have no effect on marine environments.
The wider picture for coral reefs
Sunscreen ingredients are one of several potential local pressures on marine environments, but they are not the only factor. Climate change is considered the greatest global threat to coral reef ecosystems, as rising ocean temperatures cause thermal stress and make mass coral bleaching more frequent. Ocean acidification and pollution also place these delicate reefs under pressure.
This wider context does not mean that the potential effects of sunscreen ingredients should be ignored. Reducing local pressures, such as choosing filters carefully, may help make reefs more resilient to the much larger threat presented by climate change.
Choosing a mineral sunscreen
Our first priority is to provide the stated level of sun protection when our products are applied in accordance with their instructions. We carefully consider the UV filters used in our formulas, and complete ingredient lists are provided on every Green People sun cream product page.
If you prefer a mineral sunscreen, consider our Scent Free Mineral Sun Cream SPF30. It uses 100% non-nano Zinc Oxide and is a certified organic formula suitable for both the face and body. It is fragrance free and created with sensitive skin in mind.
Scent Free Mineral solkräm SPF30 50 ml
Reflektera och skydda med detta 100 % mineralbaserade solskydd394,00 kr
View all our full range of sunscreens.
Enjoying the sea responsibly
Sunscreen is an important part of protecting your skin. Clothing, a hat, sunglasses and shade can also help reduce sun exposure.
When visiting beaches or protected marine environments:
- Follow the instructions on your sunscreen
- Apply sunscreen before sun exposure and allow it to settle on the skin before entering the water
- Follow any local rules concerning permitted sunscreen products
- Use protective clothing and shade alongside sunscreen
- Avoid leaving packaging or other waste behind
Always apply enough sunscreen to achieve the stated protection and reapply as directed, particularly after swimming, sweating or towel drying.
Information reviewed
This information was reviewed in September 2026 and applies to Green People sun cream formulations available at that date.
If you would like help choosing a sunscreen, try our 2-minute sunscreen quiz or contact our UK customer care team on 01403 740350.
Explore Green People natural and organic sunscreens
Take the 2-minute sunscreen quiz
If you need any more help or advice, our friendly UK customer care team are happy to help on 01403 740350 or on social @GreenPeopleUK.
MEET CHARLOTTE, FOUNDER OF GREEN PEOPLE
Charlotte Vøhtz, founder of Green People, has 25+ years of experience in the natural and organic beauty industry.
A recognised leader in the field of organic beauty, Charlotte helped inform the UK's first organic beauty standards and was voted the People's Choice in the 2023 list of Who's Who in Natural Beauty.
A published author, she wrote the organic beauty bible Naturally Gorgeous. Previously, she qualified as a nurse and spent over 10 years working in pharmaceuticals.
If you wish to republish this content, please credit Green People as the original creator with a link to 'Our approach to sun care and the sea: what reef safe and ocean friendly mean.' Please do not use an affiliate link.
