“Reef Safe” Isn’t Regulated — Here’s How to Tell If a Product Is Truly Reef Safe
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The term “reef safe” is not regulated at all.
Any company can use it — even if their product contains ingredients that don’t biodegrade or that are known to be harmful to marine ecosystems.
As a formulator who cares deeply about environmental responsibility, my goal is to make this topic simple, clear, and empowering. This guide will help you understand how to read labels, how to spot greenwashing, and how to choose products that truly respect our oceans.
Why “Reef Safe” Isn’t a Protected Term
No federal agency regulates the use of “reef safe.” This means: Any brand can put it on a label. The term does not guarantee the product is actually safe for coral reefs or marine life. Many consumers are unintentionally misled
The good news is: once you know what to look for, and the tricks they use to make you think you are choosing a "reef safe" item, you’ll be able to evaluate any formula quickly and confidently.
Beware of “Key Ingredients” — Always Look Deeper
One of the biggest misconceptions in clean beauty is the idea that the “Key Ingredients” section represents the whole formula.
It doesn’t.
“Key Ingredients” is a marketing highlight reel — the beautiful, natural ingredients intentionally placed front-and-center to create a certain impression. Coconut oil, shea butter, aloe vera, jasmine, and botanical extracts are often showcased because they sound wholesome and familiar.
But these ingredients may make up only a small percentage of the actual formula.
The truth is found in the full INCI (International Nomenclature of Cosmetic Ingredients) list, which shows every ingredient in order of concentration. This is where synthetic conditioning agents, preservatives, stabilizers, emulsifiers, and chemical UV filters are revealed.
Tip: If you see a “Key Ingredients” section, always scroll until you find the full ingredient list. Transparency is the strongest sign of a brand you can trust. If they are hiding something, it's usually for a reason.
A Real Example: What I Found in a “Reef Safe” Hair Product
During my research, I looked into a hair mask marketed as “reef safe” and designed specifically for swimmers to use in the ocean. Its marketing emphasized natural “key ingredients,” but the full ingredient list told a very different story. They have cute marketing, a fun instagram, and are even followed by some influential people in the surf industry who believe their "reef safe" claims.
Here are some of the hidden ingredients I found — and why they are not considered ocean-friendly:
❌ Behentrimonium Methosulfate (BTMS)
A synthetic quat (quaternary ammonium compound)
Known for aquatic toxicity
Does not biodegrade in marine environments
Can accumulate in waterways and harm marine organisms
BTMS makes hair feel silky but is not reef safe.
❌ Behentrimonium Chloride
Another quat used as a conditioning agent
Highly persistent in the environment
Toxic to fish and invertebrates
Contributes to long-lasting water pollution
If a product contains quats, it cannot be considered reef safe.
❌ Cinnamidopropyltrimonium Chloride
A UV-absorbing synthetic chemical
Structurally similar to chemical UV filters linked to coral bleaching
Not biodegradable
Inappropriate for products intended for ocean use
Sunscreen-like chemical filters do not belong in “reef safe” products.
❌ Hydrogenated Vegetable Oil
Highly processed and slow to break down
Can leave an oily residue in water
Not considered eco-friendly for marine environments
❌ Cetyl Alcohol & Cetearyl Alcohol
These are not dangerous but are:
Petrochemically derived
Not rapidly biodegradable in saltwater
Misaligned with “100% natural” or “reef safe” marketing claims
❌ Caprylhydroxamic Acid
A synthetic preservative
Not biodegradable
Adds to the chemical load entering the ocean
Safe for skin — not safe for ecosystems.
This is called: Greenwashing
Individually, some of these ingredients might not seem alarming. But together — especially in a product designed for direct ocean use — they paint a clear picture:
hidden synthetics
petrochemical derivatives
chemical UV absorbers
persistent quats
slow-to-break-down stabilizers
This is a perfect example of how a product can be marketed as natural and reef safe while containing multiple ingredients that contradict those claims.
How to Tell If a Product Is Truly Reef Safe
1. Avoid Known Non-Biodegradable or Reef-Harming Ingredients
Watch out for these:
Oxybenzone
Octinoxate
Octocrylene
Homosalate
Avobenzone (unless specially stabilized)
Silicones (dimethicone, cyclopentasiloxane, etc.)
Petrochemical derivatives
Quats (BTMS, Behentrimonium Chloride, Cetrimonium Chloride)
Chemical sunscreen filters
Nanoparticle zinc or titanium dioxide
If a “reef safe” product contains any of these, it isn’t truly reef safe.
2. Choose Biodegradable, Plant-Based Ingredients
Ocean-friendly formulas rely on:
Jojoba oil
Coconut oil
Mango butter
Kokum butter
Shea butter
Red raspberry seed oil
Sunflower lecithin
Vitamin E
Essential oils in safe amounts
These break down naturally and support a healthier ocean environment.
3. Avoid Synthetic Fragrance: Other names for synthetic fragrance are parfum, aroma, fragrance, scent, perfume, and natural fragrance.
Synthetic fragrance blends can contain: phthalates, tabilizers, hundreds of hidden compounds,
Look for clear labeling such as “essential oil blend” or “naturally derived scent.”
4. Consider Packaging
Sustainability includes the container, not just the formula: Glass, Aluminum, Minimal or recycled plastic, Refillable options.
Ocean-minded brands think about every part of the product.
5. Choose Transparent Brands
A truly ocean-conscious brand will: Disclose all ingredients clearly, Educate consumers, Avoid greenwashing, Use biodegradable components whenever possible.
If it’s hard to find the full ingredient list, consider it a red flag.
Why This Matters
Coral reefs protect shorelines, support biodiversity, and are essential to the health of the planet. Even small amounts of certain chemicals washing off swimmers can contribute to long-term reef damage.
Understanding how to read labels — and supporting brands that prioritize environmental integrity — is a meaningful way to help protect our oceans.
How Rising Venus Formulates for Real Ocean Safety
Our approach is simple and honest:
Biodegradable plant oils and butters
No silicones
No quats
No chemical UV filters
No synthetic fragrance
Thoughtful, minimal packaging
Full transparency, always
Education over marketing
Because if we’re going to use products in the ocean, they should honor the ocean.
A Note from the Founder
The whole reason I started Rising Venus Botanics came from my own experience with greenwashing. For years, I used an at-home hair dye that was marketed as “natural” and “good for your hair,” filled with soothing botanicals and gentle-sounding ingredients. I trusted the claims because I wanted something safer, healthier, and aligned with my values.
But over time, my hair began to thin, break, and shed in a way that didn’t feel normal. People were asking if I was cutting my hair and, I wasn't! When I finally dug into the full ingredient list—not the marketing highlights—I realized the product was anything but natural. It was full of harsh chemicals disguised under a clean, botanical label. I found they were actually in a class action lawsuit for hair loss!
That experience changed everything for me.
I founded this company because I needed to heal my hair and I had no room for another product that was greenwashing. I was pretty angry about it and decided to make my own formula I trusted and to make that available to everyone else. I believe people deserve honesty about what they are putting on their bodies and into the ocean. No greenwashing. No hidden synthetics behind pretty wording. No confusing labels. Just transparent ingredients, thoughtful formulation, and products created with genuine respect for both people and the planet.
Rising Venus exists because I never want anyone else to go through what I did—the frustration, the confusion, and the feeling of being misled by a brand I trusted.
We can do better. And we should.
— Shawna, Founder of Rising Venus Botanics
