Slip, slop and slap is important for us sailors, especially in the height of summer (yes, even in Welli it can get sunny)! But all year round it’s important to protect our skin while we’re out on the water.

Your sunscreen can rub off and wash off into the water, and most sunscreens contain oxybenzone and octinoxate amongst other harmful ingredients, and these cause damage to our marine ecosystems. But we can also protect the waters we're sailing/swimming/kayaking/... in by using ocean- and reef-safe sunscreen.

Check the ingredients:

• USE products that contain zinc oxide or titanium dioxide as these are less toxic to your health and the environment.
• AVOID products that contain oxybenzone and octinoxate

Some reef-safe sunscreens are listed below.

NZ made:

• Goodbye  – made by passionate sailing supporters and provided in reusable and recyclable packaging. Bonus: As a Yachting NZ member, you get 15% off by using the code ‘CleanOcean’

• Smidge Sunscreen - Plastic-free Sunscreen + Sustainable Practices

• Skinnies

• Frankie Apothecary

• Essone

• My Sunshine

• The Sol and Sea

• Coola

• Back to the Wild

Others:

• Nivea 

• Reef Oil  (Australia)

• Invisible Zinc  (Australia)

• Bondi Sands  (Australia)

Note that even the sunscreens listed above contain other ingredients that are harmful for the environment – but they are still a better option than the ones not passing the reef-safe requirements. And with more conscious consumption, we can all make a small difference now and influence providers in the longer term.

Thank you for supporting the Clean Club initiative, the environment and maybe even NZ businesses by choosing products more considerate!