Our Commitment to the Environment
Our products are derived from all-natural ingredients because we care about our bodies and the impact skin and suncare products have on our planet. Chemical ingredients are dangerous and are actively contributing to the destruction of marine environments and beyond. What you wear matters.
Impacting our Planet
What is Coral Bleaching?
Beyond their beauty, coral reefs are absolutely vital to our oceans, food chains, and planet's health. Corals survive due to their mutually beneficial relationship with marine algae, which is their food and energy source. However, when corals are stressed, from factors including pollution and rising ocean temperatures, they expel their algae, which can lead to starvation. As a result of climate change, studies show that these bleaching events have become 5x more frequent in the past 40 years.
Rising Ocean Temperatures
The negative effects of climate change cannot be overstated. According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Association, between 2014 and 2017 around 75% of the world’s tropical coral reefs experienced heat-stress severe enough to trigger bleaching. For 30% of the world’s reefs, that heat-stress was enough to kill coral.
Ocean Pollution
Coral reefs need clean, clear water to survive. When sediment and other pollutants enter the water (such as oil and plastic), they smother coral reefs and sicken them. According to a research report in the journal Science, "The likelihood of disease increases from 4 percent to 89 percent when corals are in contact with plastic."
Chemical Sunscreens
Every year, an estimated 14,000 tons of sunscreen is believed to be deposited in our oceans with the greatest damage found in popular reef areas such as Hawaii and the Caribbean. The problem is the majority of sunscreen on the market today utilize harmful chemical ingredients that are known to destroy and poison coral species.
Coral Bleaching, DNA Damage
The Dangers of Sunscreen Toxicity
Since 2008, numerous studies have evidenced the damage that mass market chemical UV filters including (but not limted to) oxybenzone and octinoxate have on coral species, as well as other marine organisms. One study discovered that the concentrations of oxybenzone that caused toxicity to corals were as low as 62 parts per trillion or the equivalent of a drop of water in six and half Olympic-sized swimming pools! Research shows that oxybenzone induces coral bleaching, damages the DNA of corals, and is a known endocrine disruptor which causes deformities in juvenile coral. Remember: Just because a sunscreen doesn't contain Oxybenzone, doesn't make it "Reef Safe".
Protecting our Planet
How to be 'Reef Safe'
The first step is to switch to sunscreens that are naturally biodegradable, contain mineral sunblocks (Zinc Oxide, Titanium Dioxide) instead of chemical UV filters, and are designated "non-nano", like Divios Protect. Be Careful: Many mineral sunscreens still use harmful chemicals or nano-sized zinc oxide which can be toxic to corals. Many tropical territories such as Hawaii, USVI, Key West have already passed bans on chemical sunscreens.
Earth's Most Diverse Ecosystem
The Importance of Coral Reefs
Coral reefs support more species per unit area than any other marine environment, including about 4,000 species of fish. They are instrumental in protecting our coastlines, ensuring the safety and health of our marine food supply chains, bolstering native economies, and providing biodiverse natural resources for new drugs and medical treatment options for people. We have to do our part to protect these critical ecosystems.
Experience the best in sun and skincare with our starter pack, which includes a Protect (Sheer or Tan) and a Restore - along with a free Divios giveaway. Surprise, surprise.
