![In this country, your sunscreen may be banned In this country, your sunscreen may be banned](https://img-3.journaldesfemmes.fr/Tla_y7DT6Gp6lmy_vt56JqMA9To=/1500x/smart/715926fd66964a30b4eb2d07d1257172/ccmcms-jdf/39968509.jpg)
You may have already planned your vacation, but did you know that a country very popular with tourists had recently decided to ban sunscreen on the beaches under penalty of a hefty fine? This may be your summer destination…
You may be one of those who have planned their entire summer vacation several months in advance: destination, plane tickets, hotels, excursions, items to pack in your suitcase, vaccinations to take… But there is perhaps a detail that you haven’t thought of: check the composition of your sunscreen! And for good reason, some places prohibit products on the beaches that you thought were harmless. If you deviate from the rule, the fine risks being (very) steep and your vacation ruined!
Sunscreen is a relatively essential product when you go to a beach to laze in the sun. But did you know that it can be extremely harmful to the environment? The chemical components of many sunscreens are toxic and ultimately destroy corals.
According to a study by Environmental Health Perspectives, each year, 25,000 tons of cream are dumped into the oceans through swimming. According to the WWF (World Wide Fund for Nature), no less than 70% of coral reefs are seriously threatened. So, some countries are taking drastic measures to contain this phenomenon.
To know if your sunscreen contributes to the degradation of corals, you need to check that it does not include toxic chemical components such as butylparaben, 4-methylbenzylidene camphor, octinoxate or oxybenzone. Since 2021, a country very popular with tourists has banned these sunscreens from marine national parks under penalty of a fine! This is Thailand. If you fly to the land of smiles and transport this type of toxic cream, you risk paying no less than 100,000 Thai baht in fines, or a little more than 2,500 euros. Enough to make you not want to deviate from the rule…
Unfortunately, the aforementioned harmful chemical components are still present in a large amount of products. To respect the oceans and your health (certain chemical components can be carcinogenic), it is therefore preferable to favor organic sunscreens, made from mineral filters.
Besides Thailand, other places have chosen to ban sunscreens containing certain toxic ingredients on their beaches, such as Hawaii, Miami, Malibu and the Palau Islands, located in the Pacific Ocean. Be vigilant, therefore!