Terms like “reef-safe” or “reef-friendly” are typically used to identify sunscreens that do not contain oxybenzone and octinoxate, two common UV-blocking chemicals, that studies have shown can cause coral bleaching. It is not an FDA regulated term. The National Park Service estimates that up to 6,000 tons of sunscreen enters areas in and around reefs every year and studies show that chemicals in these sunscreens may be contributing to the declining health of coral. Sunscreen isn’t the only threat to reefs; scientists also point to climate change, overfishing and pollution. But the risk that sunscreen poses has led some sunscreen manufacturers to offer “reef-safe” formulas and even a few popular vacation destinations to ban the sale of anything but “reef-safe” sunscreen. In July 2018, the state of Hawaii banned the sale of sunscreens containing oxybenzone and octinoxate. The city of Key West, Florida, followed suit in early 2019. When both laws go into effect in 2021, people there will only be able to purchase so-called “reef-safe” sunscreens. Sources: National Park Service & REI