According to the National Ocean Service, thousands of every day skin products are threatening marine life and there are a few ways we can help. The diagram below explains perfectly what happens when you mix certain chemicals to the underwater world.

How sunscreen chemicals enter our environment: The sunscreen you apply may not stay on your skin. When we swim or shower, sunscreen may wash off and enter our waterways.

How sunscreen chemicals can affect marine life:

• Green Algae: Can impair growth and photosynthesis.

• Coral: Accumulates in tissues. Can induce bleaching, damage DNA, deform young, and even kill.

• Mussels: Can induce defects in young.

• Sea Urchins: Can damage immune and reproductive systems, and deform young.

• Fish: Can decrease fertility and reproduction, and cause female characteristics in male fish.

• Dolphins: Can accumulate in tissue and be transferred to young.

1. Chemicals in some sunscreens that can harm marine life include: Oxybenzone, Benzophenone-1, Benzophenone-8, OD-PABA, 4-Methylbenzylidene camphor, 3-Benzylidene camphor, nano-Titanium dioxide, nano-Zinc oxide, Octinoxate, Octocrylene

2. Here are a few ways to protect ourselves and marine life: Consider sunscreen without chemicals that can harm marine life, seek shade between 10 am & 2 pm, and use Ultraviolet Protection Factor (UPF) sunwear.

I’M ON FIRE.

Whether you prefer indoor UV tanning or relaxing on a Caribbean beach (we suggest St. Maarten, obviously), the chances of developing skin cancer or melanoma are scary high. Melanoma is the most common cancer in the world and will affect 1 in 5 Americans before the age of 70. If you have experienced more than 5 sunburns in your life, you’ve just doubled your risk for melanoma. The good news? When detected early, the 5 year survival rate for melanoma is 99%.