14,000 tons of sunscreen end up in the ocean every year. Sunscreen doesn't belong there, of course, and some creams can do a lot of damage. The ingredients octinoxate and oxybenzone, both of which are chemical UV filters, are particularly problematic.
Some chemical UV filters degrade only poorly (or not at all) and remain in the water. They are deposited in the sediment or accumulate in organisms. Often discussed in connection with corals, they are one of the reasons coral reefs are dying. Some popular travel destinations such as Hawaii and Palau have therefore already banned them.

Would such a ban also make sense here? Even if we go swimming here in the Baltic Sea or in the lake next door, it can have a serious impact on the marine world. Some chemical UV filters can accumulate in sea creatures and disrupt their endocrine system even at low concentrations. They can reduce fertility in fish, impair growth and photosynthesis in green algae, poison corals, affect gene regulation in mosquitoes, cause defects in young mussels and be toxic to marine crustaceans.

That's why it's better to look for mineral UV filters the next time you hunt for sunscreen. A solid alternative for this is e.g. our solid mineral sunscreen Naseweiss. Also, be careful not to apply lotion right before you go swimming.

PS: Don't forget to wear sunscreen not only on the beach but all year round. The sun is not only outside in summer.