5 Sunscreen Alternatives to Keep Your Skin Healthy and Protected.

It’s important to keep your skin protected when you are out in the sun, but not just any sunscreen will do. In fact, chemical-based sunscreens with active ingredients such as oxybenzone and octinoxate have been found to be harmful to the environment—specifically, they can contribute to bleaching in coral reefs, which endangers marine life. So, what are some alternative ways to protect yourself and the environment? Here are five options that are all reef-friendly.

Sun-Protective Clothing. In recent years, the market for clothing with built-in sun protection has been growing—you can practically build an entire outfit with the choices that are out there. Dresses, rash guards, swimwear, T-shirts, jackets, and more are being manufactured to better absorb the sun’s rays before they ever hit your skin. Look for clothing that bears a UPF rating, which stands for Ultraviolet Protection Factor. UPF ratings generally range from 15 to 50+ and, just like SPF ratings on sunscreen, higher numbers denote increased levels of sun protection.
Day Creams with SPF. Just because you’re not at the beach doesn’t mean you can skip sunscreen. You should protect your skin from the sun every day, but if you’re going to work or running errands, a thick sunscreen isn’t always practical. For daily use, try a cream with SPF that can double as a daytime moisturizer. Look for a lightweight formula that provides full-spectrum, chemical-free UVA/UVB sun protection so you can wear it alone or under makeup.
A Healthy Diet. You can help protect yourself from harmful UV rays by starting from the inside out. Certain foods can help absorb sunlight before it causes damage to the skin, while other foods contain antioxidants for further protection. A Mediterranean diet is a great place to start because of its emphasis on fruits and vegetables, fish, nuts, and olive oil. Citrus fruits and green, leafy vegetables may be especially beneficial due to their antioxidant qualities being linked to decreases in sunburns.

A Good Hat. This should be an essential part of your summer wardrobe. A fashionable straw fedora or a baseball cap can have a brim that protects your face from the sun, but you don’t have to stop there. Large, wide-brimmed sun hats can still look cute and offer more protection for your face, shoulders, neck, and upper chest. For more active outdoor endeavors, choose a hat that has a brim in the front and a legionnaire flap that entirely covers the back of your neck down to your shoulders. If you don’t like hats, try to cover your sensitive scalp area with a bandana. As with other types of hats, you can find one with a UPF rating so you have the security of extra sun protection.

 Shade. Nothing beats staying cool under the protective covering of an umbrella or shade structure. Look for beach tents, pop-ups, or umbrellas that have an SPF rating to really block those UV rays; you can also find parasol-style umbrellas with SPF to use when you’re on the go. Of course, in a pinch, you can always find yourself a nice shady tree and settle in to relax until sunset.

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