Reef Safe Sunscreen in Australia — What to Wear on the Great Barrier Reef
“Reef safe” means no oxybenzone or octinoxate — and the surest way to get there is a zinc-only mineral sunscreen. Here’s what to look for, and what to pack for the reef.
What “reef safe” actually means
“Reef safe” generally means a sunscreen contains no oxybenzone or octinoxate — the chemical UV filters most associated with coral harm. The most reliable way to be reef safe is to choose a zinc-only mineral sunscreen, because it has no chemical UV filters at all.
Heading to the Great Barrier Reef?
If you’re snorkelling or diving at Cairns, the Whitsundays, Port Douglas or the islands, a non-nano zinc sunscreen is a great choice — many reef tour operators specifically recommend zinc oxide sunscreens. Cairns reef tour guidance points visitors toward zinc-based products.
ThermaSun is reef safe by design
Every ThermaSun sunscreen uses zinc oxide only — no oxybenzone, no octinoxate, no chemical UV filters — so the whole range is reef safe. For the water, the Sport Pro (water resistant 80 min) and everyday Face & Body Zinc are popular picks.
Zinc only
No oxybenzone or octinoxate, the chemicals linked to coral harm.
Non-nano
Non-nano zinc oxide, Australian made.
Water resistant
Sport Pro is water resistant to 80 minutes for snorkelling.
Whole range
Every ThermaSun product is reef safe.
Frequently asked questions
What sunscreen is safe to wear on the Great Barrier Reef?
A zinc-only mineral sunscreen with no oxybenzone or octinoxate is the safest choice for the reef. ThermaSun's range is zinc-only with no chemical UV filters, so it's reef safe; the water-resistant Sport Pro suits snorkelling and diving. Many Cairns and Whitsundays tour operators recommend zinc-based sunscreens.
Is zinc oxide sunscreen reef safe?
Yes. Zinc oxide is a mineral UV filter and contains none of the oxybenzone or octinoxate associated with coral harm, so zinc-only sunscreens are considered reef safe.
What chemicals in sunscreen damage coral?
Oxybenzone and octinoxate are the chemical UV filters most commonly linked to coral harm in research. Choosing a zinc-only sunscreen avoids both.
Is non-nano zinc more reef friendly than nano zinc?
Many reef-conscious buyers prefer non-nano zinc oxide. ThermaSun uses non-nano zinc oxide. Regardless of nano status, zinc-only formulas avoid the oxybenzone and octinoxate most associated with coral harm.
Why you can trust the zinc in ThermaSun
ThermaSun is built on ZinClear® XP — a pharmaceutical/cosmetic-grade, non-nano zinc oxide whose underlying technology was originally developed by researchers at the University of Western Australia and commercialised by Advance ZincTek (ASX:ANO), an Australian company formed in 1997. It’s the same Australian-made mineral active trusted by dozens of skincare brands worldwide.
Every ThermaSun sunscreen is then made in Queensland by VeganicSKN, is TGA listed (with its AUST L number printed on the pack and searchable on the ARTG), and is batch SPF tested on every production run. Zinc oxide is the broad-spectrum mineral UV filter the TGA recognises, and our zinc-only formulas contain no oxybenzone or octinoxate, so they’re reef safe.
ThermaSun is Australian made in Queensland by VeganicSKN. Always read the label and use only as directed. Sunscreen is one part of sun protection — combine with shade, clothing, a hat and sunglasses. Reapply at least every 2 hours and after swimming, sweating or towelling.