Eilat, the resort city of the State of Israel, is presenting the world’s first sunscreen that is scientifically formulated, not only to protect the skin from UV rays, but to feed and nourish endangered coral reefs.
Eilat is home to the ecological wonder of the planet’s northernmost shallow-water reef and passionate about protecting it and other coral reefs. Coral is facing serious threats from climate change, pollution, and other human activities, with an estimated 14,000 tons of sunscreen ending up in the world’s oceans every year. As many as 80% of ordinary sunscreens contain chemicals that contribute to coral bleaching and dying reefs.
Marine and skincare specialists have developed a new formulation based on a non-nano, titanium-dioxide-based, mineral sunscreen. The base formula is ecocert compliant and has undergone extensive aquatic safety testing, to include c. elegans, freshwater fish, saltwater fish and coral larvae. The added reef nourishing formula is a bespoke blend of FDA-compliant trace minerals used by coral farmers to feed and support healthy growth in coral.
Giovanni Giallongo, Marine Biologist at the Ben Gurion University of the Negev in Eilat, said, “The development of a sunscreen that not only doesn’t harm coral, but has the potential to feed and nourish our reefs, is an important step towards protecting and preserving our oceans. Reef Relief could feed into the health of communities underwater and on land.”
The State City of Eilat is committed to environmental sustainability and has proven a fertile ground for R&D into aquaculture, biotechnology and renewable and sustainable energy.
