I have been buying tizo for at least 20 years. I am now told titanium dioxide is Not Reef safe. The latest information I have is, that it is. I have clients that are asking me. On the box it states it is reef safe.

Thanks for reaching out with your question about TiZO. There is unfortunately no clear-cut definition of what is “Reef Safe” or “Reef Friendly,” which is how we describe our products. There are a few things, though, that all agree you want to watch out for. Oxybenzone and octinoxate are the two ingredients which have specifically been implicated in reef degradation and are the two ingredients that have been banned by those locations that have enacted bans. Since all chemical sunscreen filters act by the same mechanism, most reef-advocates suggest that you avoid other chemical sunscreens as well.

The mineral sunscreens Titanium Dioxide and Zinc Oxide are preferred from a reef-friendly standpoint, but you want to be sure that they are coated and non-nano. The mineral sunscreen particles used in TiZO are an array of sizes in their raw form, but are always coated and are non-nano as used in the product. So they are considered Reef-Friendly.

If you have a client that is still uncomfortable, you might want to suggest one of our formulas that contains only zinc oxide. TiZO AM Replenish has a feel similar to TiZO3, but contains ceramides and 16% zinc oxide and is a bit more moisturizing. ULTRA ZINC (tinted or non-tinted) is 20% zinc oxide and gives a moisturizing, slightly dewy finish. Both blend beautifully and are virtually invisible in use.