U.S. Virgin Islands Bans Toxic Sunscreens

On June 26th, 2019 the U.S. Virgin Islands joined the ranks of Hawaii and Key West, Florida by unanimously approving a ban on the import, sale and possession of sunscreens containing oxybenzone, octinoxate, and octocrylene. The scope and specificity of this ban are unprecedented in the fight for reef and eco-friendly sunscreen. 

By taking this action, they have gone above and beyond their peers in two important ways. 

The Virgin Islands’ ban goes into effect in March 2020, a year before others

First, their full ban will go into effect on March 30, 2020, a year prior to Hawaii or Key West, with prohibitions on imports starting as early as September 30, 2019. 

The Islands will be the first jurisdiction to fully ban chemical sunscreens

Second, the Virgin Islands’ ban only allows the use of mineral sunscreen products containing zinc oxide and titanium dioxide, making them the first jurisdiction to be compliant with the U.S. Food & Drug Administration’s recognitionof these two mineral ingredients as the only safe and effective over-the-counter active ingredients. 

Toxic sunscreen chemicals more than 40 times higher than acceptable levels 

These measures are critical to limiting the negative impact of tourism in areas like the Caribbean, where a variety of environmental issues have already damaged 80% of coral reefs. Studies have shown that sunscreen chemicals, which can be poisonous to ecosystems including coral reefs, lakes and rivers are more than 40 times acceptable levels in certain parts of the Islands. Restricting chemical sunscreens is one important way to mitigate this pollution and protect precious environmental resources. 

The reef safe alternative is mineral sunscreens that do not harm coral

Harith Wickrema, president of local environmental group Island Green Living Association echoed the importance of the ban on chemical sunscreens, noting that “oxybenzone, octinoxate and octocrylene devastate coral and marine life and are also known carcinogenic and hormone disruptors in humans.” He went on to say "Instead of chemical sunscreen, non-nano mineral sunscreen containing zinc oxide and titanium dioxide protect against the sun and do not harm coral" This is why having a chemical free sunscreen option is so important for all of us.

We couldn’t agree more. 

Seeing communities across the U.S. take action to make these important changes makes us proud. It motivates us to continue our commitment to create a natural and reef friendly sunscreen that is safe for our environment and your health. As parents, outdoor enthusiasts and environmentalists this mission couldn’t be more important to us. 

TropicSport is SAFE and EFFECTIVE, made with Zinc Oxide and Titanium Dioxide 

That’s why we go the extra mile with our long lasting sunscreens by using minerals, non-nano zinc oxide and titanium dioxide, creating a physical not chemical barrier from the harmful rays of the sun. 

That same commitment is the why we never use toxic chemical ingredients oxybenzone, octinoxate, or octocrylene. 

It’s also the reason that we made a sunscreen that lasts three times longer than most chemical sunscreens. Our sunscreens pass both the US FDA 80-minute water resistance test and the 240-minute Australian water resistance test.

Do you want to get involved in the fight against dangerous chemical sunscreens? Help us get the word out to educate friends and family:

• Follow us onFacebook,Instagram,Twitter and LinkedIn
• Like and share our social media post on the banning 
• Share this blog article
• Write a review on our website 

Here’s one final shout out to the Virgin Islands for raising the bar. The more we can support communities like these by raising awareness the more we can move a safe alternative for the future. Thank you for joining us in our mission to protect our planet and our loved ones. 

Tony and Lisa Palmer, Founders of TropicSport.