Sustainable sunscreen: How to protect your skin and our oceans 🌊☀️

Sun protection is essential – but does it have to harm the environment? Every year, around 14,000 tons of sunscreen end up in our oceans . Many conventional products contain ingredients that damage coral reefs and endanger marine life. But there is another way: With sustainable sunscreen, you protect not only your skin, but also the ocean.

Why conventional sunscreen is a problem

When bathing or showering, some sunscreen gets into the water. Many conventional products contain chemical UV filters such as octocrylene or oxybenzone , which kill coral larvae and lead to coral bleaching . In addition, they contain microplastics , which never degrade and enter the food chain.

The paradox: While we protect ourselves from the sun, we often harm the underwater world that we love so much.

What “reef-safe” really means 🪸

The term "reef-safe" is not protected; many brands use it without demonstrating genuine environmental compatibility.
Therefore, look for products that are free from the following substances:

• Octocrylen

• Oxybenzone & Octinoxate (already banned in Hawaii)

• microplastics

• Nanoparticles too small

Microplastics – the invisible risk

Many sunscreens contain microplastics to improve texture or water resistance. Terms like Acrylates Copolymer or Polyethylene give it away.
The problem: Microplastics never degrade and end up back in our food chain via fish. Conscious product choices are the simplest way to protect the environment.

V.SUN: Sustainable sun protection with responsibility 🌞

At V.SUN , sun protection and environmental protection go hand in hand . Our products consistently avoid octocrylene, microplastics and harmful filters, relying instead on modern, environmentally friendly UV filters .

💛 What makes V.SUN special:

• Nourishing ingredients such as ectoin and hyaluronic acid strengthen the skin barrier and are biodegradable.

• 100% Made in Germany: short transport routes, fair production, strict environmental regulations.

• Sustainable packaging: recyclable materials and continuous development for less plastic.

Sustainability doesn't stop at packaging.

An environmentally friendly formulation alone is not enough if the packaging consumes unnecessary resources.

Therefore, V.SUN relies on tubes made from recycled PCR plastic and continuously develops packaging solutions with the aim of reducing material and making it more sustainable without compromising on quality, functionality or design .

How to recognize sustainable sunscreen 🕶️

When buying sustainable sunscreen, it's worth taking a closer look, not only at the product itself, but also at the attitude of the brand behind it:

• Ingredients: Avoid conventional chemical filters such as octocrylene, oxybenzone or microplastics and opt for modern, environmentally friendly formulations.

• Manufacturing: Production in Europe often means shorter transport routes, stricter environmental regulations and fair working conditions.

• Packaging: Pay attention to recyclable materials and as little outer packaging as possible.

• Transparency & Commitment: Truly sustainable brands take responsibility beyond the product itself. They communicate openly about ingredients and supply chains and are actively involved.

👉 V.SUN collaborates with CleanHub , among others , to remove plastic waste from the environment and supports coralive , an NGO dedicated to the protection and research of coral reefs. This demonstrates that sustainability is not just promised, but practiced.

Sustainable application: Small steps, big impact 🌍

You can also do a lot for the environment when using your sunscreen, often with very simple routines:

☀️ Apply sunscreen before swimming: It's best to apply your sunscreen at home or in your hotel. This way, significantly less of it ends up in the sea.

🕒 Observe the application time: Give the cream around 30 minutes to be fully absorbed; this optimally protects your skin and prevents residues from being washed into the water.

💬 Share awareness: Talk to friends and family about sustainable sun protection. Every little step counts, and together we can make a big difference.

Conclusion: Sun protection with a good feeling 💛

By using sustainable sunscreen, you not only protect your skin, but also what you love: our oceans.
V.SUN shows that responsibility and lifestyle are not contradictory: with modern, environmentally friendly formulations and the ambition to actively make a difference beyond the product itself.

Together with partners like CleanHub and coralive , we are committed to protecting and restoring healthy oceans, from reducing plastic waste to coral research and local environmental education. Because true sun protection doesn't begin on the skin, but in our awareness.

GOOD TO KNOW: You can find more information about our social commitment and our marine conservation projects under the menu item “WE CARE” .