We all know that sunscreen is an essential healthcare product that helps us protect ourselves from the sun's harmful UV rays and lowers our chances of skin cancer. What we may not know is that over 80% of sunscreens contain chemicals that are toxic to coral reefs, which studies have also found traces of in our blood and breast milk after we apply sunscreen. Reef Relief is a world-first sunscreen that is not only eco-safe, toxic-chemical free and skin-safe but contains a unique blend of nutrients that actively feed coral when it’s washed off our skin.

Coral reefs are one of the most important ecosystems on the planet, supporting more than 25% of marine life and one billion people worldwide. Our reefs are estimated to have a total global value of £6 trillion per year, because of their provision of food and medicine, contribution to tourism and the coastal protection they provide.

We know that coral reefs are under serious threat from climate change and pollution. But another danger to coral is the sunscreen we wear. While it protects us, when it washes off us in the sea it can be lethal to coral. Over 80% of sunscreens contain chemicals known to bleach and kill coral reefs, such as Oxybenzone, Benzophenone-1, Benzophenone-8, OD-PABA, 4-methylbenzylidene camphor, 3-Benzylidene camphor, nano-Titanium dioxide, nano-Zinc oxide, Octinoxate and Octocrylene.

While a few, non-mainstream sunscreens have removed harmful chemicals, calling themselves ‘reef-safe’, we saw an opportunity to do much more.

So we turned one of coral's biggest threats into its solution.

Reef Relief is the world’s first sunscreen that feeds and nourishes coral.

We approached Stream2Sea with our idea as they’re a world-leader in ‘reef-safe’ products. And working with leading marine scientists and cosmetic technicians, we formulated a unique and unprecedented product that removed all harmful chemicals, but also added a bespoke blend of nutrients that coral naturally feeds on.

Also, to address the issue of all other sunscreens that harm reefs, we created a whole new classification that hopefully one day all sunscreens will have to carry – RPF, or Reef Protection Factor.

We first focused on addressing the negative influences of the sunscreen industry, with so many brands mass-producing sunscreen with harmful chemicals and some brands falsely claiming to be reef-friendly. We discovered that very few brands could genuinely claim to be reef-safe. One of these brands was Stream 2 Sea who were already producing a high-quality sunscreen that didn’t cause damage to coral. We proposed to them that we could go much further and create something with the potential for real and lasting change.

In terms of regulation, we formulated Reef Relief to be ‘Haereticus Protect Land + Sea Certified’, and ensured that it was patch-tested by experts Bionok. We then went into 6 months of rigorous coral testing in association with the University of Derby, supervised by leading coral scientist and Marine Advisor to the United Nations, Professor Michael Sweet.

Over 80% of sunscreen brands contain chemicals that bleach and kill coral. Only a few brands have removed harmful chemicals and others falsely claim to be ‘reef-safe’. So we came up with an idea that could genuinely help turn the tide on coral bleaching.

Reef Relief is the world’s first sunscreen that’s not only reef-safe (all harmful chemicals removed) – it’s proven to actually feed and nourish coral. No sunscreen has ever done this. We worked with Stream2Sea to create a new, fully reef-safe formula with an added unique blend of nutrients that coral naturally feeds on.

After a soft launch which saw huge global support, we extensively tested Reef Relief on coral, led by United Nations marine advisor Professor Michael Sweet. We have also created a whole new certification/classification marque that we hope someday all sunscreens will have to carry. Not just SPF, but RPF – Reef Protection Factor.

Every year millions of tourists flock to coral beaches during the holidays applying sunscreen to protect themselves from the sun. What the majority don't know is just how lethal that sunscreen is to the very coral they come to see, with some chemicals like Oxybenzone (found in over 80% of sunscreens) having an  EWG rating of 8 on their toxicity rating scale, meaning it is one of the most toxic ingredients found in cosmetic products, to both humans and coral.

Which led us to our approach of turning one of coral's biggest threats into its solution. To do this we gathered as much research and data as we could about the current coral and sunscreen brand climate. We then decided which sunscreen brand to partner with (Stream2Sea) and also looked at how coral farms and marine activists were safely growing and nurturing healthy coral.

Reef Relief is the world’s first sunscreen designed and proven to promote healthy growth in coral. When washed off the body into sea-water, it will help – rather than harm – coral. All harmful chemicals found in most sunscreens have been removed. And – the real difference – a unique blend of nutrients that coral naturally feeds on has been added.

Our base formula is an eco-cert-compliant mineral-based sunscreen that has been tested and proven safe for freshwater fish, saltwater fish and coral larvae and has passed the stringent HEL Labs Protect Land + Sea Certification. We then added a bespoke, FDA-compliant trace mineral blend made from marine nutrients used by coral farmers to boost healthy growth.

We also created a new classification marque, RPF (Reef Protection Factor) with the aim of tourism boards and governments encouraging and eventually requiring sunscreens used on their coastlines to carry the RPF marque.

University of Derby coral testing showed healthy growth by as high as 8% in some species.

In a 2-week soft launch:

583,671 Social interactions in first 48 hours

1.2 billion reach

711 publications worldwide.