Let’s take a closer look at the ingredients in Sun Bum Original SPF 50 Sunscreen and Sun Bum Mineral SPF 50 Sunscreen. The email also states that the Mineral version if “reef safe” which implies a stronger sense of commitment than just being “friendly.” I find it a bit perplexing that something can be friendly but not safe…if you’re in a relationship with a coral reef and you’re friendly to it, but still hurting it (but you don’t mean to hurt it)…you’re still hurting it, right? Needless to say, if I had known this ahead of time, I would have stuck to only using the Sun Bum Mineral SPF 50 Sunscreen during my stay, since it’s zinc oxide-based. The Sun Bum Original SPF 50 Sunscreen contains all chemical sunscreen filters except the two that are banned by law, so I guess that is why the email mentioned that they are “reef friendly” according to Hawaii law.

According to some sources (such as the “reef-friendly” pamphlet on the catamaran tour I took in Hawaii), all chemical sunscreen filters are harmful to coral reefs- not just the two that Hawaii has banned by law (octinoxate and oxybenzone). Sun Bum original SPF 15, SPF 30, SPF 50 are all Reef Friendly according to the new laws set by the State of HawaiiĪlthough both of these sunscreens are labeled as “reef friendly” (not a regulated term, by the way), the Original formula still contains chemical sunscreen filters (avobenzone, homosalate, octisalate, and octocrylene). The Sun Bum 50 we offer at the beach is 'mineral' SPF lotion, Reef Friendly / Reef Safe The Sun Bum 50 we offer at the pool is 'original' SPF lotion, Reef Friendly. Here’s what the Four Seasons Maui had to say about its Sun Bum SPF 50 sunscreen: (As you might have guessed, I only hit up the SPF 50 throughout my stay.) Later, after I emailed the resort to get more info, I found out that they actually provided two types of Sun Bum sunscreen: one chemical formula (the “original” Sun Bum) by the pool, and one physical formula (the “mineral” Sun Bum) by the beach area. I’ve always been curious about their sunscreens, so I was pleased to see that the Four Seasons resort in Maui offered complimentary “reef-friendly” Sun Bum SPF 15, 30, and 50 sunscreen to their guests. I love their packaging, too-it looks just like the bottle has been carved out of a surfboard. Sun Bum was founded in 2010 and offers vegan, cruelty-free products that support the beach lifestyle.

Thinkbaby sunscreen review