Holland & Barrett UK bans “harmful sun protection” lines as part of ocean conservation policy

24 Mar 2022 --- Holland & Barrett is the first large retailer in the UK to ban the sale of all suncare products containing oxybenzone and octinoxate from its stores and website due to their harmful effects on aquatic life. This ban is to ensure its suncare range is reef-safe.

“We care about the wellness of people and our planet. We’ve taken several sustainability firsts over the last couple of years through banning wet wipes, single-use face masks, microplastics etc., and this felt like the next step,” a spokesperson at Holland & Barrett UK, tells PersonalCareInsights.

Holland & Barrett has also launched its mineral sunscreen range with SPFs 15, 30 and 50, with recycled plastic packaging.

“Other brands in the wider range include Ultrasun, Sukin, Moogoo, Jason and Green People.”

Mineral solutions“As a leading retailer of wellness products, we have an important role to play in looking after the future of our planet, our animals, our resources, and our oceans,” notes the company.
The retailer is in “favor of 100% mineral suncare,” with only mineral suncare available for purchase.

“When countries started banning chemical suncare ingredients, we felt we had to act. This move gives our beauty customers a range where they do not have to choose between being environmentally safe or skin safe in the sun.”

Thailand and Hawaii have already announced a complete ban on ingredients, including oxybenzone and octinoxate.

“Hopefully, other retailers will be inspired to do the same for the health of our ocean,” advises Nicola Bridge, head of ocean advocacy and engagement at the Ocean Conservation Trust.

“Everyone can make simple changes in their daily lives to help protect our ocean, and we recommend using sustainable sunscreen as a great way to keep yourself and the ocean safe.”

“We hope other retailers will follow Holland and Barrett in banning chemical sun protection lotion so that everyone can play a bigger role in protecting ocean health, which is so vital for all living things,” agrees Jo Ruxton from Ocean Generation, a charity to eliminate human threats to oceans.

Holland & Barrett UK’s decision aligns with Innova Market Insights’ finding, pegging “Shared Planet” as the top trend.

Harmful impacts of sunscreen on ocean life
The company explains that oxybenzone and octinoxate have direct links to damaging marine life such as coral reefs, fish and dolphins as they absorb the chemicals. Holland & Barrett is taking environmental initiatives in energy conservation, recycling, environmentally friendly packaging and animal welfare.

“Even if we don’t swim soon after applying lotion, those chemicals can still reach the ocean when we shower or use an aerosol application,” explains Ruxton.

Additionally, it notes that 14,000 tons of sun cream pollute the ocean wildlife and habitats every year. Research has shown that a drop of oxybenzone is enough to cause damage within “six-and-a-half Olympic-sized swimming pools of water.”

“Our ocean has been bombarded with toxic chemicals following decades of industrial and agricultural waste. Now we know the damage these can do; every step we can take to prevent it from worsening is critical,” continues Ruxton.

“As a business that cares about the wellness of people and our planet, we’re constantly looking at ways to help make beauty shopping more sustainable,” says Jo Cooke, beauty trading director, Holland & Barrett.

The spokesperson at Holland & Barrett adds: “None of the products we stock are tested on animals.”

In related news, Mblue Labs introduced an anti-aging and coral-safe methylene blue-based sunscreen Bluevado SunFix.

By Venya Patel

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