This is based on the following peer-reviewed scientific studies:

• Downs, C.A., Kramarsky-Winter, E., Segal, R. et al. Toxicopathological Effects of the Sunscreen UV Filter, Oxybenzone (Benzophenone-3), on Coral Planulae and Cultured Primary Cells and Its Environmental Contamination in Hawaii and the U.S. Virgin Islands. Arch Environ Contam Toxicol 70, 265–288 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00244-015-0227-7
• Danovaro, R., Bongiorni, L., Corinaldesi, C., Giovannelli, D., Damiani, E., Astolfi, P., Greci, L., & Pusceddu, A. (2008). Sunscreens cause coral bleaching by promoting viral infections. Environmental health perspectives 116(4), 441–447. https://doi.org/10.1289/ehp.10966

Always check the label. Make sure the brand uses only mineral/physical UV filters, uncoated and non-nano titanium dioxide or zinc oxide.

Be especially wary of sunscreen brands that claim they are reef-safe but leave no white cast on the skin. It’s likely that:

• They still contain chemical UV filters that are harmful to the coral reefs (Oxybenzone, also known as: Benzophenone-3; Butylparaben; Octinoxate, also known as: Ethylhexyl methoxycinnamate; 4-methylbenzylidene camphor).
• Even if the sunscreen only uses mineral UV filters, these might be in nano form, which can potentially be harmful to both corals and humans, as their particle size is so small they can penetrate coral membranes and the human bloodstream.
• The active ingredients might be coated, which means the particles have undergone chemical reactions to alter their natural uncoated state. This can potentially lessen their effect in protecting your skin, and it also increases the risk of being toxic to corals.
• The SPF level might not be as high as claimed, as mineral sunscreens with sun protection high as SPF50 will have at least minimal white cast.

References:

• Corinaldesi, C., et al. (2018). Impact of inorganic UV filters contained in sunscreen products on tropical stony corals (Acropora spp.). Science of the Total Environment, 637-638 (2018), 1279-1285. doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2018.05.108
• Veriansyah, B., et al. (2009). Continuous synthesis of surface-modified zinc oxide nanoparticles in supercritical methanol. The Journal of Supercritical Fluids, 52(1), 76-83. doi.org/10.1016/j.supflu.2009.11.010

MAGWAI is a physical sunscreen that uses uncoated and non-nano zinc oxide as its active ingredient. Unlike other reef-safe brands, which stop there, we go further by ensuring we are compliant with Palau’s national laws and regulations that ban the sale and use of chemical sunscreens that harm coral reefs.

Read Palau’s full list of banned sunscreen ingredients here.

Unlike chemical sunscreens, physical sunscreens use mineral ingredients that are safe for coral reefs. The only two (1) physical UV filters are zinc oxide and titanium dioxide.

In order to be reef-safe, these must be uncoated and non-nano variants.

Physical or mineral sunscreens tend to be safer for sensitive skin since it only sits on top. Chemical sunscreens, on the other hand absorb into the skin, which can potentially cause irritations and allergic reactions. Some studies also found that common chemical sunscreen ingredients like oxybenzone, avobenzone, octocrylene, homosalate—enter your bloodstream within hours, and some stay there for weeks.

As a result, some studies also suggest that these ingredients disrupt hormones, including those related to thyroid function. Ozybenzone (BP3), for example, can affect the hypothalamic-pituitary-thyroid axis, which is responsible for our metabolism and stress levels.

References:

• Matta, M. K., Zusterzeel, R., Pilli, N. R., Patel, V., Volpe, D. A., Florian, J., Oh, L., Bashaw, E., Zineh, I., Sanabria, C., Kemp, S., Godfrey, A., Adah, S., Coelho, S., Wang, J., Furlong, L., Ganley, C., Michele, T., & Strauss, D. G. (2019). Effect of Sunscreen Application Under Maximal Use Conditions on Plasma Concentration of Sunscreen Active Ingredients: A Randomized Clinical Trial. JAMA. 321(21), 2082–2091. https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jama/fullarticle/2733085
• Wnuk, W., Michalska, K., Krupa, A., & Pawlak, K. (2021). Benzophenone-3, a chemical UV-filter in cosmetics: is it really safe for children and pregnant women? Postepy Dermatol Alergol. 39(1), 26-33. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/35369611/

MAGWAI Reef-Safe Sunscreen uses cosmetic grade zinc oxide which is completely safe for the skin.

Titanium dioxide and zinc oxide have been used as ingredients in sunscreens and cosmetics for decades. Based on scientific studies, neither titanium dioxide nor zinc oxide are likely to harm the skin when used as ingredients in sunscreen and when it is used as directed. Cosmetic grade ingredients are not the same as industrial grade chemicals used in car coating and paint. All ingredients that are used for MAGWAI have been approved by FDA for safe application to the skin. so you can rest assured that all ingredients that go into MAGWAI’s formulation are of the highest quality and are safe for your skin.

A nanoparticle is a particle of any insoluble composition usually coming from metal oxides that are smaller than 100 nanometers (1 nm = 10-9 meter to less than 100 nm = 10-7 meter). Individual nanoparticles are invisible to the eyes and are nonspherical.

Mineral sunscreens available in the market today use nano-sized zinc oxide and titanium dioxide because these formulations do not leave a visible white film on the skin when applied. While research has shown that particles in the size range used in these sunscreens (greater than 30nm) could be used for the skin, we at MAGWAI have decided not to use nano zinc oxide and titanium dioxide because of their potential to harm corals. A study on the effects of zinc oxide nanoparticles has shown that it induced complete and potentially irreversible coral bleaching, causing a significant rapid and widespread mortality of the symbiotic zooxanthellae of the stony corals, and stimulating microbial enrichment in the seawater surrounding the corals. We avoid using nanoparticles as it poses a threat to the marine ecosystem and might also reduce their effectiveness when applied to the skin.

We at MAGWAI are following the Australian Department of Health’s definition of nanomaterials since their standards are more stringent. In the EU, if less than 50% of the total particles in the distribution, including aggregates and agglomerates, are within the 1-100nm range in any dimension the particles would be considered non-nano; while in Australia less than 10% of the primary particle size is within the 1-100 nm range in any dimension is required to be considered non-nano.

References:

• National Industrial Chemicals Notification and Assessment Scheme, Department of Health, Australia (2018, July 29). NICNAS working definition of industrial nanomaterial. Retrieved from https://webarchive.nla.gov.au/awa/20200613025016/https://www.nicnas.gov.au/notify-your-chemical/data-requirements-for-new-chemical-notifications/data-requirements-for-notification-of-new-industrial-nanomaterials/nicnas-working-definition-of-industrial-nanomaterial
• Ramasamy, M., et.al., (2014). Role of surface modification in zinc oxide nanoparticles and its toxicity assessment toward human dermal fibroblast cells. International Journal of Nanomedicine, 2014(9), 3707-3718. dx.doi.org/10.2147/IJN.S65086
• Corinaldesi, C., et al. (2018). Impact of inorganic UV filters contained in sunscreen products on tropical stony corals (Acropora spp.). Science of the Total Environment, 637-638(2018), 1279-1285. doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2018.05.108

Uncoated zinc oxide and titanium dioxide do not undergo chemical reactions that coat them with an inert substance, usually triethoxycaprylylsilane, to make it easier to mix with other ingredients. Coated particles dispersed in a water-in-oil emulsion appears to have a greater capacity to penetrate into the skin strata compared to the uncoated particles.

Unlike coated zinc oxide and titanium dioxide, uncoated particles are generally safer for both humans and marine life, it has been safely used in topical skin care products such as calamine lotion for decades.

References:

• Picatonotto, T., et al. (2006). Photocatalytic Activity of Inorganic Sunscreens. Journal of Dispersion Science and Technology, 22(4), 381-386. dx.doi.org/10.1081/DIS-100106943
• Yung, MMN., et al. (2017). Physicochemical characteristics and toxicity of surface-modified zinc oxide nanoparticles to freshwater and marine microalgae. Scientific Reports, 7(1):15909, doi.org/10.1038/s41598-017-15988-0
• Leite-Silva, V., et al. (2013). The effect of formulation on the penetration of coated and uncoated zinc oxide nanoparticles into the viable epidermis of human skin in vivo. European Journal of Pharmaceutics and Biopharmaceutics, 84(2013), 297-308. dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.ejpb.2013.01.020
• Gulson, B., et al. (2011). Comparison of dermal absorption of zinc from different sunscreen formulations and differing UV exposure based on stable isotope tracing. Science of the Total Environment, 420(2012), 313-318. doi:10.1016/j.scitotenv.2011.12.046
• Virkutyte, J., et al. (2012). Depletion of the protective aluminum hydroxide coating in TiO2-based sunscreens by swimming pool water ingredients. Chemical Engineering Journal, 191(2012), 95-103. doi.org/10.1016/j.cej.2012.02.07z

Yes, MAGWAI Reef-Safe Sunscreen is FDA approved.

Yes, MAGWAI Reef-Safe Sunscreen is safe for kids.

In general, purely mineral/physical sunscreens like MAGWAI are broadly safer for pregnant moms. MAGWAI was also recommended by Chemist Shea Tan as pregnant-safe. (Note: This is not a paid advertisement, PR gift, or product collaboration. Our Reef-Safe Sunscreen was organically mentioned in the video.)

However, we still recommend showing the ingredients list to your OB-GYN to be 100% safe.

Since MAGWAI is a physical sunscreen made from uncoated non-nano zinc oxide, it naturally leaves a very minimal white protective cast on your skin once it is applied. The minerals zinc oxide and titanium dioxide sit on top of the skin and act as a physical shield that reflect and scatter harmful UVA and UVB rays to protect your skin from the harshness of the sun.

As of 2026, our sunscreen formulation has drastically improved to be more sheer, lightweight, non-sticky, and non-greasy, which makes it blend in more on darker/morena skin.

Yes, it can be used on the face and body.

Unfortunately, no, but it is recyclable! You can dispose of your clean and empty sunscreen tubes at our green upcycling partners’ drop-off points. Learn more here.