The ocean covers over 70% of the planet. It is our life source, supporting and sustaining human life and that of every other organism on earth - no pressure! The ocean produces at least 50% of the planet’s oxygen, it's home to most of earth’s biodiversity, and is the main source of protein for more than a billion people around the world. In addition, the ocean is key to our economy with an estimated 40 million people being employed by marine-based industries by 2030.
As a society we need to be aware of the devastating impact of some cosmetic and skincare products on ocean ecosystems. Damage to coral reefs, hormone disruption in fish, and plastic in our oceans are just a few of the catastrophic effects. How can we make better choices to mitigate this? Read on...
Let's take a look at some of the problematic ingredients in skincare that are harming the ocean, and how we can choose alternatives to help reverse this trend.
👎 OXYBENZONE & OCTINOXATE
These are common sunscreen ingredients that have been found to be particularly harmful to coral reefs and other marine life. It prevents the growth of blue-green algae that’s important to the health of coral. They literally wash off the skin into the ocean from swimmers. These ingredients are now banned in Hawaii after levels shown to be a huge 12 times higher than any other place on the planet.
🐠 Alternatives: Choose ocean-friendly mineral sunscreen.
👎 TRICLOSAN
Triclosan is found in all sorts of products from shampoo to toothpaste and shower gel, and serves as an antifungal agent. It’s so powerful at killing microbes that it has long been used in hospital-grade cleaners. However, Triclosan inhibits the growth of blue-green algae, essential for coral health. It has also been shown to kill fish and crustaceans.
🛁 Alternatives: Choose a triclosan-free, gentle cleanser. Over washing with these culprits can also cause acne and severe dryness.
👎 ARTIFICIAL FRAGRANCE OILS
Artificial, chemically produced fragrances used in skincare have been shown to cause harm to marine life by causing algae to bloom uncontrollably in waterways, depleting essential oxygen levels needed to sustain aquatic life. These scents are often found in candles and cosmetic products.
🌸 Alternatives: It's easy to avoid artificial fragrances in skincare. Raven Botanicals' products are scented only with pure essential oils so take a look through our range for a broad choice if you're thinking of switching to earth-friendly products.