Photo Copyright Kristin Nicole. All Rights Reserved.
At the end of April 2018, Hawaiian Congress made history by passing SB2571 which bans the sale of all sunscreen that contains the chemicals oxybenzone and octinoxate. The bill then went to the hands of the Hawaiian Governor, David Ige, and signing it would make it effective starting January 1, 2021.
So what does this have to do with our health? Well, though the law was originally written in an effort to protect Hawaii’s coral reefs which have been dying, in part, due to oxybenzone and octinoxate, if signed, this would be a significant not only to our coral reefs but also to providing a level of safety to our bodies.
Think about it……if these two chemicals are killing coral reef’s, just imagine what they are doing to our bodies!
Download My 5 MUST-HAVE Smartphone Apps Guide Here
Oxybenzone is not only a possible hormone disruptor, but it is also linked to irritation, and skin allergies among other issues. Octinoxate also causes endocrine disruption and possible organ system toxicity, as well as possibly causes cellular mutation implicated in cardiovascular disease.
That is why using sunscreens without these chemicals are so important! And the fact that these two chemicals are used in more than 3,500 of the world’s most popular sunscreen products means it is that much harder to find a sunscreen that is not only safe, but also super effective! If you’d like to know which safer sunscreen I use please reach out to me here!
How can these chemicals be allowed in our sunscreen products?
Well, the last time any major legislature was passed regulating the personal care and cosmetics industry was in 1938. Let’s think about that for a minute and put it into perspective……not since before WWII has a law been passed to regulate a multi-billion dollar industry! That’s 80, yes 80, years!
A LOT has changed since the WWII. One of those things? Well, more than 85,000 chemicals have been introduced into commerce…….and few of which have been tested for safety/effects on the human body, only approximately 10% in fact. That statistic alone is alarming.
And yet, not within a whole lifetime has this industry been regulated by any means of updated and effective laws! This means, unfortunately, there is a whole slew of toxic chemicals that are allowed in our products.
So when we apply that all-too-common sunscreen to our bodies, not only do the chemicals get absorbed into our bloodstream through our skin, or in this case, baked into our skin and bloodstream, but the remnants also wash off into our ocean water leading to the death of coral reefs and other marine life.
If the governor does in fact sign this law, then Hawaii will be implementing the first-in-the-world law of its kind. The fact that Hawaii has already passed SB2571 definitely puts them on the cutting edge by banning these dangerous chemicals, or any chemicals really, since no action has been taken by any congress, federal or state, in 80 years.
Thank goodness there is at least ONE state working to make a difference! The purpose may have been to protect coral reefs, but the results will no doubt have a positive health effect on all of us.
If you’d like help in finding a sunscreen that does not contain oxybenzone and octinoxate, then download my FREE guide by clicking the button below.
Download My 5 MUST-HAVE Smartphone Apps Guide Here
Here’s to achieving true wellness!
*Legal Disclaimer – All information provided above is for educational purposes only. Information should not be construed as medical or legal advice in any capacity and is not intended to prevent, diagnose, treat, or cure disease.
What are your thoughts on this topic? I’d love to hear from you! Please drop me a comment below.