New sunscreen restrictions in eco-conscious countries and sun safety options

How to stay safe in the sun? With regulations changing all over the world in an effort to protect coral reefs and sea life, what are your options?

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Eco-safe Sunscreen

If you are traveling to a Caribbean island or Hawaii, you may want to check out what sunscreen you can bring. 

Some islands (including the U.S. Virgin Islands and Hawaii) are restricting what can be used at the beach (or even brought onto the island). This is to prevent the visitors who are seeing the sealife from adding to its destruction in order to not burn while in the water. [note: as an amazon associate I earn from qualifying purchases].

This sunscreen is a good ecologically conscious sunscreen that likely will pass any countries rules as it is a mineral sunscreen (rather than a chemical one that can kill the sea life you are visiting).  Also, it is water resistant for 80 minutes, which really is nice when you are snorkeling. It is available on Amazon just click the picture) and other retailers.

Sunbrellas

As a fair-skinned person, I am always looking for the best ways to hide from the sun.

In addition to sunscreen and sunhats, I have a really nice compact and light umbrella/sunbrella. This works for rain and sun so it is great for taking to most destinations.  It’s fairly sturdy in the wind as well. 

Mine’s got a pretty flower on the inside, and there are several other options available (including solid colors).

These are usually pretty light and small so can fit in your suitcase and day bag easily.

Non-liquid sunscreens

If you aren’t going swimming, but are going through a TSA-style checkpoint, dry sunscreens are nice.

For general traveling (without snorkeling, etc.), I prefer to use a non-liquid sunscreen so I don’t have to worry about going over the TSA limit for liquids. 

I like this, from Neutrogena. It spreads well for a roll-on and rubs in clear. It also seems to stay on well in hot environments. Plus it’s water-resistant and broad-spectrum.

Sunhats

Another option is sunhats.

For sun hats for travel, I want something that can handle being packed and jammed into bags.  The top one here comes in several colors and rolls into a small bundle that can be put in your backpack’s water pocket or other small places.

And as anyone who knows me is aware, I like color.  And this one is available in many colors (and sizes!) and has the added benefit of a chin strap so it likely won’t blow away in windy places. Just click on it to see color options and pricing.

Happy (and sunburn-less) travels!