An Efficient Biodegradeable Sunscreen: Caribbean Solutions

Sunscreens that pollute the water are not efficient. This is especially true in the ocean, where it’s estimated that 4000-6000 tons of sunscreen wash off swimmers every year. A company called Caribbean Solutions is introducing a biodegradable sunscreen nationwide.

This sunscreen is free of petroleum derivatives — instead, the active ingredients are titanium dioxide and zinc oxide. These minerals scatter and reflect UVA and UVB rays, while petrochemicals absorb them. Moreover, conventional sunscreens contain four questionable chemicals: octinoxate, oxybenzone and 4-methylbenzylidene camphor, and the preservative butylparaben.

Dr. Celia Ferreira formulated Caribbean Solutions SolGuard (in SPF 4, 8, 15 and 25) with botanical ingredients, including wild pansy, green coffee bean extract and hibiscus. Titanium dioxide and zinc oxide protect from both UVA and UVB rays, while sunflower and cucumber oils soothe and hydrate the skin. The sunscreen is available from Amazon.