Over half of people are unaware of environmental effects of sunscreen, study shows

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This summer, millions of people up and down the country have been digging out the sunscreen to protect themselves from a record-breaking series of heatwaves.

However, new research has revealed a striking gap in awareness about the environmental impacts of sunscreen, with more than half of people never having considered that the products they use to protect their skin from the sun’s rays could be harmful once they enter the ocean.

That is despite extensive scientific evidence showing that sunscreen ingredients – particularly the ultraviolet (UV) filters – can pose a number of risks to marine organisms including fish, algae and coral reefs.

The research also showed that more than eight out of ten people were unaware of the existence of reef-safe sunscreen, an unregulated marketing term often used by brands to imply reduced harm to marine life, despite this not always being the case. This inconsistency is another issue explored within the study.

Published in Marine Policy, the study was led by researchers at Plymouth Marine Laboratory (PML) and the the University of Plymouth, and is the first in the UK to directly investigate public perceptions of sunscreen pollution.

Its authors say their findings highlight a clear gap between scientific evidence and public awareness, and have direct implications for future marine policy and regulation, product labelling and consumer guidance.

That, they add, is because public opinions are essential in encouraging manufacturers to develop choices that balance both human and environmental safety.

PhD researcher with PML and the University of Plymouth, Anneliese Hodge who led the study, said:

“Our findings provide some really interesting insights into the public’s knowledge and understanding on this topical issue. A key piece of data is that 55% of participants had never considered that sunscreens may be harmful to the marine environment. This demonstrates just how vital clear and accessible communication is in bridging the gap between research and public awareness. In that vein, it was really enjoyable to talk with people about sunscreen for this work and to feel like, in many instances, I was raising people’s awareness of the potential impacts sunscreen can have in the marine environment for the first time.”

Developing ways to address a growing global issue

This study builds on previous work by the University of Plymouth and Plymouth Marine Laboratory researching the effects of sunscreen chemicals on marine organisms.

That work has shown how the global market for sunscreen products is estimated to reach $13.6 billion this year, and how of the approximately 10 million tonnes of UV filters produced annually for the global market, between 6,000 and 14,000 tonnes are estimated to be released into coral reef zones.

To understand how people perceive this issue, the research team conducted a systematic and critical literature review on the global public perceptions of sunscreen pollution.

Only nine peer-reviewed papers were found to have examined public views, and while most respondents showed limited awareness of the potential impacts of sunscreen on marine ecosystems, many expressed a willingness to choose more environmentally friendly products.

Given the lack of UK-specific research, this study investigated public awareness of sunscreens as marine pollutants, as well as general sunscreen use habits, at three public engagement events held in Plymouth between August and October 2024.

In total, 281 participants voluntarily responded to a set of five questions on the topic and 89% of them reported using sunscreen at some point within the year. However, 81% were unfamiliar with the term reef-safe, and 55% had never considered sunscreens as harmful to the marine environment.

The researchers say these findings emphasise the need for clear public messaging and more transparent and regulated product information. They are also calling for more detailed research into consumer purchasing habits, including how ingredients, branding and labelling influence decision-making.

Anneliese added:

“A more in-depth analysis of consumer purchases could really strengthen our understanding of how people choose sunscreen products, and how those choices might shift in response to future policy changes or ingredient bans, like has been the case in other regions. We need to know why people buy what they buy and whether it’s based on price, waterproofing, sun protection factor (SPF), allergen concerns, or environmental messaging. We also need to understand how willing they might be to switch to alternative with a better, research supported environmental profile.”

How does sunscreen reach the ocean?

UV filter compounds can enter the marine environment either directly or indirectly.

Direct pathways include swimming or other water-based recreational activities, and indirect pathways include washing towels that have been used to dry sunscreen-coated skin, washing off residue during showering and even in urine.

Traditional sewage and water treatment technologies cannot effectively remove most UV filters, and organic UV filters have been reported in 95% of wastewater effluents and 86% of surface waters globally. They have also been detected in marine environments worldwide, from busy tourist locations to remote areas such as Antarctica and the Arctic, highlighting the extent of this contamination.

UV filter pollution has also been linked with agricultural practices, where recycled wastewater and sludge biosolids used as fertilisers can transfer UV filters onto crops and into run-off that eventually reaches rivers and coastal waters.