We rely on healthy coral reefs for food, our economy, and coastal protection. But due to pollution, global warming, and overfishing, 50% of the world’s coral reefs have died, and 90% may die within the next 100 years. Supporting reef-safe beauty products is essential to our global community. Read ten ways we can support our coral reefs for more tips on the importance of supporting our coral reefs.
Why Are Reef-Safe Beauty Products Important?
It’s a wise choice to choose sustainable and non-toxic beauty products. For one, it’s safer for your body. Secondly, it’s safer for the environment and our coral reefs. The sunscreen, hair, and beauty products we apply to our skin are transferred to the ocean when we enter the water. Lots of ingredients can hurt marine life. Some common hormone disruptors found in makeup can decrease fertility and reproduction in fish or cause female characteristics in male fish. Sunscreen chemicals can bleach and kill coral, cause defects in young mussels and sea urchins, and even damage immune and reproductive systems of sea animals. Furthermore, they can also impair growth in green algae.
Chemicals to Avoid for Healthy Coral Reefs
Some chemicals to avoid when trying to protect our reefs are:
Oxybenzone, Benzophenone-1, Benzophenone-8, OD-PABA, 4-Methylbenzylidene camphor, 3-Benzylidene camphor, nano-Titanium dioxide, nano-Zinc oxide, Octinoxate, Octocrylene
Here is my list of Black Girl and Reef-Friendly Beauty Products. This list includes Sunscreen, Hair Products, and Makeup.
Reef-Safe Sunscreen
Black Girl Sunscreen
Black Girl Sunscreen is reef-friendly & leaves zero white cast. It comes in matte, a spray, and even a children’s formula.
Stream2Sea Sunscreen
Stream2Sea has a plethora of reef-friendly products, including this SPF 30 sunscreen. It’s a crowd favorite among scuba divers.
Coola Spray Sunscreen
I love Coola Sunscreen because it’s in a spray can and it has cooling properties. It’s also small enough to fit in a carry-on. One of my favorite buys.
Reef-Safe Natural Curly & Kinky Hair Products
Qhemet Biologics
Qhemet Biologics’ Amla & Olive Heavy Cream is a must for dry hair. This brand uses a mix of African, Ayurvedic, and Mediterranean hair secrets to create phenomenal products. They have a small but powerful reef-friendly beauty line including:
Stream2Sea Reef-Safe Conditioner and Shampoo + Travel Set
This travel set has shampoo, conditioner, sunscreen, and SPF lip balm. It’s a great way to try out eco-friendly products. You can also buy the items separately.
Coconut and Sweet Almond Oil
Coconut Oil is fantastic, affordable, & reef-friendly. It can be used for hair, skin, nails, oil pulling, and even intimate lubrication! For this reason, it is a crowd favorite. Please keep in mind that coconut oil can act as a tanning agent when applied on the skin.
Sweet Almond Oil is an excellent alternative to coconut oil. It has all the benefits of coconut oil with a thicker consistency.
Reef-Safe Makeup & Beauty Products
Ami Colé
Ami Colé a Senegalese-owned brand that focuses on clean beauty products that enhance melanin-rich skin. Their philosophy states their commitment to formulating beauty products without endocrine disruptors. Not to mention, all their products are vegan & cruelty-free, with a wide range of mascara, moisturizing tints and lip products.
ILIA
Lastly is ILIA. ILIA has a wide range of foundations, concealer, lipstick, and blush. Similarly to Ami Colé, ILIA is vegan, cruelty-free, and eco-friendly.
In conclusion, we have many reef-friendly alternatives for Black women and women with kinky-curly hair. Please continue to support them so that the beauty industry can continue to create reef-friendly products.
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