Jan 17, 2023
Bawah Reserve is an eco-friendly earth first resort, we live and breathe sustainability – it’s what we believe and what we do.
The reserve and surrounding marine conservation areas were founded in 2012 as a rescue mission from illegal dynamite fishing in the waters around the six islands. Protecting the ocean, the coral, and the marine life has always been of the utmost importance to us and we have resident marine biologists
who help assure that our waters and the marine life within them are safe from environmental harm.
Aside from beach clean-ups, did you know harmful chemicals from sunscreen can damage coral? In order to allow our marine ecosystems to thrive at Bawah Reserve we only allow reef-friendly sunscreen to be used while visiting our islands.
Yes!
"Many sunscreens have active ingredients that are incredibly damaging to marine life. Oxybenzone and octinoxate in particular are known to damage and kill sea animals. ... This is why sunscreens without harmful chemicals are called “reef-safe”. Everyday California
Top Tip: Look out for oxybenzone and octinoxate on the ingredients list of any sunscreen - these 2 in particular are the ones that can do the reef damage. By simply making a change to the sunscreen you use you can make a huge impact on the future of our oceans.
Here’s our guide to our favourite top five reef-safe sunscreens for conscious travelling.
Sunscreens that use chemicals as the active ingredient such as oxybenzone and
octinoxate, can potentially interrupt the corals reproduction and growth cycles
ultimately leading to a less healthy marine eco system as the fish and marine life that
depend on the coral communities move elsewhere.
In effort to preserve our coral reefs we developed our own reef friendly, all-natural
sunscreen called Sunbrella SPF 30. This sunscreen can be used on the face and
the body, provides great coverage and has a long-lasting formula.
Available at the Six Islands Trading Post, Island boutique on Bawah or you can pre-order via reservations@bawahreserve.com and we can have it ready in your room on arrival.
Badger is a small family owned and operated skincare brand from the US.
According to their mission they strive to “create fabulously pure and effective
products of the highest natural quality, based on simplicity and thoughtful
preparation, with the intention to protect, soothe and heal.”
True to this Badger has created a certified organic sunscreen range providing safe
broad-spectrum protection using the mineral zinc oxide as the primary ingredient.
Badgers sunscreens are safe, naturally certified and plant based using aloe,
beeswax and plant oils. BUY IT HERE
Manda are committed to making the most protective, longest lasting and responsibly
made sun cream in the world.
MANDA Organic Sun Paste contains no harmful chemicals or synthetics, is non-
toxic, reef safe (oxybenzone free and octinoxate free) and kid friendly.
The primary ingredient in Manda’s Sun Paste is the wood of a tree native to
Myanmar, Thanaka, used for over 2000 years as a natural sun protectant. Thanaka
also preserves and beautifies the skin and is proven to have anti-inflammatory, anti-
aging and moisturising properties. You can beautify while protecting your skin. BUY IT HERE
Not only have Stream 2 Sea proven that their mineral sunscreen is safe to fishes and
coral larva, but their packaging is all eco-friendly and they support many ocean
conservation initiatives. They offer a broad range of products and have helpful
information on their web site. BUY IT HERE
On a mission to prove that humans and nature can live in harmony. They make their sun creams with topical ingredients that sit on top of your skin to physically block the sun’s rays, but won’t absorb into your bloodstream or into coral reef systems, either. As they say “If it’s good enough for Nemo, it’s good
enough for you.” BUY IT HERE
Be sure to also check out some other reef-safe sunscreen brands on the market :
Keep this in mind for your next sun cream purchase and be a part of protecting the oceans and the marine life who live within them.
Enjoy the beach, protect your skin and the sea, and don’t forget your hat and sunnies!
Make your Bawah Reserve enquiry here:
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