Free shipping on orders over €29 in Germany / €50 in the EU and Switzerland

With growing awareness of the impact of personal care products on the environment, the term "reef-safe sun protection" found everywhere on packaging. But what does that really mean? Many brands claim to offer environmentally friendly sunscreens – but not all formulations are the same. eco elio we only use the safest and most sustainable ingredients – without greenwashing and misleading claims.

Why Conventional Sunscreens Are Harmful to Marine Life

Many UV filters are known to damage coral reefs and marine ecosystems. The most well-known culprits are oxybenzone and octinoxate, which have been proven to Coral bleaching, DNA damage in marine organisms and hormonal disorders in aquatic life contribute.

But oxybenzone and octinoxate are just two of many problematic UV filters. Others that are increasingly being viewed critically are Octocrylene, homosalate and ethylhexyl salicylate – with potential risks for marine life and human healthThese harmful substances have affected the entire range of organic ("chemical") filter brought into disrepute.

But wait a minute – there is 32 UV filtersthat are approved for sale on the European market. We have carefully selected 5 of them, including Tinosorb S and Uvinul A Plusthat gives us the EcoSun Pass certification secure – read more here.

Have you ever heard of EcoSun Pass heard of it? Probably not. Because hardly any brand meets the criteria – and nobody wants to talk about it. It is much easier to "reef-safe" on the packaging, although this term means absolutely nothing and only misleads consumers.

The biggest myth: Mineral UV filters are the environmentally friendly alternative

And then comes the biggest myth in the world of UV filters: “Mineral filters are the natural, environmentally friendly alternative.”

But a quick look at the European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) shows:

☠ Zinc oxide is classified as “Acute 1” (H400: Very toxic to aquatic life) and “Chronic 1” (H410: Very toxic to aquatic life with long lasting effects).

WTF! Is all this So the “natural cosmetics” certificate is complete nonsense? 🫢

How eco elio guarantees real reef-safe

So that our sun protection truly sustainable and reef-friendly we adhere to clear principles:

🚫 No harmful chemical UV filters, no mineral filters
We avoid all UV filters, which are associated with environmental damage. And of course no zinc oxide included in our formulations.

🌱 Biodegradable Ingredients
Apart from the UV filters themselves, our formulations break down natural and leave no harmful residues in water.

♻ plastic-reducing packaging
Our refillable system reduces plastic waste significantly compared to conventional sun protection packaging. In addition, our tubes are 100% recyclable, because they made entirely of polypropylene consist.

The right choice for our oceans

One to choose truly reef-safe sunscreen, is more than just a personal decision – it is a commitment to our protecting oceans for future generations.

With eco elio you bet on real reef- and environmentally friendly sun protection, which not only protects your skin, but also the marine ecosystems preserved.