REEF-SAFE SUNSCREEN
Kuleana is a Hawaiian word that means responsibility, privilege, concern, or right. It’s often associated with the idea that each person has a responsibility to care for their community and the land.
Pakaloha feels it is our Kuleana to educate visitors the importance of using nontoxic or reef-safe sunscreen.
Toxic chemical sunscreen contributes to coral bleaching- the phenomenon whereby coral loses its color and rejects symbiotic organisms, essentially killing the coral. As of January 1, 2021, Hawaii became the first state in the United States to ban the sale of sunscreen containing the coral-harming chemicals Oxybenzone and Octinoxate.
Pakaloha provides a Toxic Sunscreen Trade-in location at our Haleiwa store, daily from 11am-5pm. When you bring in your toxic sunscreen, you’ll receive 10% off your bikini, gymkini, or sun protectant active wear (rash guards, yoga pants, Kula shorts, surf suits, etc.) and 20% off the nontoxic reef-safe sunscreen we have for sale. At Pakaloha, we sell Maui Vera, Little Hands, Project Reef, Mama Kuleana, and Hawaii Peeps.
I don’t live where there are reefs, so it doesn’t matter what sunscreen I wear back home.
Wrong! It does matter! Don’t get hung up on the term “reef-safe.” At Pakaloha, we are passionate about educating everyone about the importance of NOT applying toxic sunscreen to the largest human organ, your skin. These are the toxic active ingredients to look for and avoid:
Avobenzone- can affect estrogen and testosterone production, causing hormonal shifts in both men and women. When exposed to the sun, avobenzone breaks down and releases harmful free radicals into the body, increasing the risk of illness and accelerating the aging process. Avobenzone can increase the risk of chronic diseases and lead to obesity (its a metabolic disrupting obesogen).
Homosalte- FDA approves levels up to 15% but recommends children, adults, and pregnant mothers to avoid this chemical in skincare products. So why use this in the first place?
Nanoparticles- can cause a range of adverse health effects including respiratory disease, cardiovascular disease, neurological disease, cancer, organ injury, and permanent cell damage
Oxybenzone- causes coral bleaching, can cause deformities in both coral larvae and baby corals, disrupting coral reproduction
Octinoxate- degrades into a chemical called benzophenone (carcinogen), which is a known cancer-causing agent and hormone disruptor
Octisalate- can cause skin rashes and be absorbed into the bloodstream
Octocrylene- can interfere with hormones and reproductive organs
So what sunscreen is safe or considered nontoxic to wear?
Look for mineral sunscreens with the active ingredients Zinc oxide and/or Titanium dioxide.
Zinc oxide offers broad-spectrum protection against both UV-A and UV-B rays. Zinc oxide has a slight edge over Titanium dioxide. Titanium dioxide is effective against UV-B rays, but is less effusive than Zinc dioxide at blocking long UV-A rays. Zinc oxide is better for reactive skin because it can reduce inflammation and irritation. Titanium dioxide is better for sensitive skin and can minimize excess oil.
High SPF numbers are misleading. SPF 30 blocks 97% of UV-B rays, while SPF 50 only blocks an additional 1% (98%). “Waterproof” sunscreen is also a misleading term that the FDA no longer allows. Water resistant sunscreen is formulated to stay effective for approximately 40-80 minutes. You should reapply your nontoxic or reef-safe sunscreen every two hours.
What’s the difference between ultraviolet A & B rays?
UV-A rays have the longest wavelength and penetrates the skin deep enough to be responsible for skin aging/wrinkling, and can lead to skin cancer.
UV-B rays have a shorter wavelength and is the main cause of sunburns. UV-B rays damage the skin’s outer layers and are a major driver of skin cells mutations that cause skin cancer.
I don’t like how mineral sunscreen goes on my skin white and doesn’t rub in.
Pakaloha sells a tinted mineral sunscreen. Little Hands, makes white and tinted mineral sunscreen. Any tinted mineral sunscreen is not meant to match your skin tone exactly (like foundation make up). It’s an alternative option to looking like Casper, the friendly ghost.
Still not satisfied?
Opt out of wearing sunscreen all together and wear large hats or clothing specifically designed with sun protection. All of Pakaloha’s (bikinis and active wear) fabric is SPF 50. Pakaloha’s long rash guards make a perfect-everyday-shirt for anyone with sensitive skin (to the sun) or has no desire to cake their body with sunscreen. Our active wear line also includes long yoga pants, and our long shorts are named “Kula shorts” on the website. The newest long or cropped rash guards and long sleeve surf suits come with fun thumb holes, giving the tops of your hands protection from ultraviolet rays. Pakaloha’s rash guards, surf suits, yoga pants, Kula shorts, and surf skirts are available in solid colors, prints, and offered in sizes XS through XXL.
What are you waiting for? Run, don’t walk to our Haleiwa store to trade in your toxic sunscreen for 10% off your new SPF 50 swim wear and 20% off nontoxic mineral (white or tinted) sunscreen. Can’t make it to the store? You can order reef-safe sunscreen or SPF 50 swim wear from our website and use the code SHAKA20 for 20% off your purchase. Be sure to follow us on Instagram and tag @pakalohabikinis in your posts and photos rocking your Pakaloha swim suit!