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Hair Pros Say That Washing Your Hair Less Can Actually Make It Grow Longer, Faster

Trying to grow hair longer or get thicker hair can feel like an endless waiting game. While hair is the fastest-growing tissue in the human body, according to the Trichological Society, the average rate of growth is 0.5 to 1.7 centimeters per month or anywhere from about two to eight inches per year. That growth can feel minimal — especially when you’re waiting for it to happen.

It’s normal to shed between 50 and 100 hairs a day, according to the American Academy of Dermatology Association (AAD), but if you think your growth is really stunted, there are certain tweaks you can make to your day-to-day haircare regimen to boost hair growth. You can try using a different hair brush, adjusting how often you use your hair dryer to dial down damage to your hair or adding in hair growth oils and foods to make hair grow quicker to your routine.

These are the secrets and home remedies that grow hair fast, according to top dermatologists, celebrity hairstylists, skincare experts and our own Good Housekeeping Institute Beauty Lab pros.

1. Get frequent trims.

It may seem counterintuitive, but if you want long hair that’s actually healthy, you need to get regular trims. “While haircuts don’t make your hair grow any faster, they get rid of split ends that break your hair,” explains Michael Dueñas, a celebrity hairstylist based in Los Angeles. “Eliminating the breakage gives the appearance that your hair is growing faster.” After all, a split end that breaks can lead to your hair losing length — not to mention shine, volume and smoothness.

2. Eat the right diet.

Having long, strong hair doesn’t just depend on which products you put on your hair; it also depends on what you put into your body. “To promote hair growth, you need to ‘feed’ the hair from the inside,” explains Francesca Fusco, M.D., a dermatologist in NYC. So what foods make hair grow quicker? Those high in protein, the building blocks of hair, including meats and other sources. “Try increasing your protein intake with foods like fish, beans, nuts and whole grains,” she recommends. Even if you’re not a meat lover, you should still aim to maintain a diet high in protein for hair growth. Women who don’t get enough of it often experience “more hair shedding,” Dr. Fusco says.

And steer clear of trendy “cleanses” for a multitude of reasons. “Doing a cleanse is terrible for your hair because you’re depriving your body of nutrients,” Dueñas warns. “After doing a cleanse even for a week, you’ll notice slower hair growth and lackluster locks.”

3. Add a hair-healthy vitamin to your a.m. routine.

If your diet isn’t supplying you with enough nutrition, a supplement could make a world of difference. “Look for a multivitamin that’s formulated and labeled ‘for hair, skin and nails,'” Dr. Fusco suggests. “Those contain important vitamins like biotin and C and B that can support hair health.” Good Housekeeping Institute Nutrition Lab deputy director Stefani Sassos suggests these vitamins and minerals to contribute to healthier hair:

  • Vitamin A
  • Vitamin C
  • Vitamin E
  • Zinc
  • Iron
  • Omega-3 fatty acids

4. Shampoo less and hydrate more.

How often you shampoo your hair does actually impact your hair’s health. “Shampooing your hair [only] two to three times a week allows your natural oils to penetrate your hair, allowing it to hydrate and repair itself,” explains Ken Paves, a celebrity hairstylist in L.A. For thicker and fuller-looking hair fast, choose a shampoo labeled “volumizing” or “thickening.”

Coating your strands in a silky deep conditioner or hair mask or a hair detangler regularly can also help to prevent damage while detangling strands, according to GH Beauty Lab pros. Slather on a store-bought or DIY hair mask from root to tip once a week: One with cinnamon can stimulate blood circulation to encourage stronger, longer hair in no time, says Liana Zingarino, a freelance hair stylist based in New York City.

    5. Lay off the bleach.

    As chic as platinum hair looks, going from a darker shade to light blonde could stand between you and your longest-possible hair. “When the cuticle of the hair is damaged from bleach, you can have more breakage or split ends,” explains Elizabeth Hiserodt, senior colorist at Cutler Salon in New York City. “The fewer chemical treatments, the better your hair will grow.”

    6. Avoid excessive heat styling.

    “Stop over-styling your hair,” says Paves. If you must use heat, he recommends decreasing the temperature and always using a heat protectant — otherwise, you risk damaging your hair, leading to breakage and frizz.

    Mike Garten

    7. Brush hair regularly.

    Going to bed with unbrushed hair may seem tempting when you’re tired, but giving your hair a few quick strokes can be great for your hair and scalp’s overall health. “Starting at the scalp, use a boar bristle brush to distribute your scalp’s oils evenly onto your hair so it stays naturally moisturized,” recommends Meri Kate O’Connor, celebrity stylist and colorist at Cooper in West Hollywood, CA. Bonus: This simple step each night also helps increase circulation, which helps make your scalp healthier.

    8. Keep your showers cooler and focus on scalp care.

    A hot shower can dehydrate your skin — and it’s also rough on your hair. “Turn the water temperature down when cleansing,” recommends Paves, and give your scalp a little extra love. Massage with your fingers as you shampoo to deeply de-gunk and help boost circulation.

    9. Protect hair from physical damage.

    Hair is especially susceptible to breakage when it’s wet, so instead, detangle hair before shampooing. “Water exposure swells and stretches the hair’s shaft, which causes the shingle-like outer layer to lift, and adding stress from brushing in that state can cause it to break,” says Good Housekeeping Institute Beauty Lab senior chemist Sabina Wizemann.

    If you have to detangle hair when wet, do it the right way: Apply a top-rated leave-in conditioner from roots to ends and use a gentler wide-tooth comb or detangling brush to reduce friction, working from the ends up in small sections to prevent tearing hair, Wizemann advises.

    10. Sleep on a silk pillowcase.

    Getting better hair overnight is possible — all you need is to switch up your pillowcase and reap the hair-healthy benefits of silk. “Silk is easier on hair — it helps avoid tangles and breakage,” says Jesleen Ahluwalia, M.D., assistant clinical professor of dermatology at Mount Sinai in NYC. The less breakage your hair experiences, the longer your hair will be. In fact, they’re so good that the Good Housekeeping Institute even conducted an entire study to find the best silk pillowcases.

    a stack of 3 pillows in gray, white, and blue silk pillowcases on an aqua background

    11. Try using minoxidil.

    Pick up a bottle of Women’s Rogaine, recommends GH beauty director April Franzino. “The active ingredient, minoxidil, is FDA-approved and proven to help stop hair loss and promote hair regrowth with continued use according to packaging instructions.” For a more targeted solution, pick up Hers 2% Minoxidil Topical Solution and use the dropper applicator to focus on more specific problem areas.

    But be wary of shampoos that claim to grow hair — hair growth from shampoo “has yet to be scientifically proven, at least in published research or to FDA’s standards,” says Jeni Thomas, Ph.D., principal scientist at Proctor & Gamble Beauty.

    When to talk to your doctor about hair loss

    Underlying causes of hair loss may be contributing to your hair’s slow (or lack of) growth. It’s estimated that more than 50% of women will experience noticeable hair loss, according to Cleveland Clinic — and that doesn’t count those born with wispy or sparse strands. “Hair that’s naturally thin in diameter [fine] or sparse is genetic,” says Joyce Davis, M.D., dermatologist in NYC. “Hair loss is often hereditary (or androgenic) thinning, which tends to be patchy.” Another common type of hair loss is telogen effluvium (TE), or allover shedding due to hormones or health issues such as thyroid or autoimmune disease and anemia.

    With TE, hair generally grows back once the problem is treated; see a doctor for diagnosis. For androgenic loss, the over-the-counter topical minoxidil mentioned above is proven to grow hair with continued use. For all types, the professional treatment PRP (platelet-rich plasma) stimulates growth with scalp injections of your blood’s growth factors, Dr. Davis says. Consult a dermatologist to find out if it’s right for you.

    preview for We Tried The NEW Dyson Airwrap

    Meet the experts

    • Jesleen Ahluwalia, M.D., assistant clinical professor of dermatology at Mount Sinai in NYC.
    • Joyce Davis, M.D., a board certified dermatologist and dermatologic surgeon in NYC.
    • Michael Dueñas, a celebrity hairstylist based in Los Angeles.
    • Francesca Fusco, M.D., assistant clinical professor of dermatology at Mount Sinai in NYC.
    • Elizabeth Hiserodt, senior colorist at Cutler Salon in New York City.
    • Meri Kate O’Connor, celebrity stylist and colorist at Cooper in West Hollywood, CA.
    • Ken Paves, a celebrity hairstylist in L.A.
    • Jeni Thomas, Ph.D., principal scientist at Proctor & Gamble Beauty.
    • Sabina Wizemann, Good Housekeeping Institute Beauty Lab senior chemist.
    • Liana Zingarino, a freelance hair stylist based in New York City.
    Headshot of Pia Velasco

    Pia is a beauty and fashion editor with a decade of experience at publications including Hello Giggles, InStyle, Real Simple, Good Housekeeping, Woman’s Day, Prevention, People en Español and HELLO!/HOLA! She has also written for People, Elite Daily and Bustle. She received a B.A. in creative writing from NYU and a Master of Science at Columbia’s journalism school. She is based in New York City.  

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How to Care for High Porosity Hair, According to the Pros

You probably know which category your hair type falls under, whether you have straight, wavy or curly hair hair. After all, that crucial piece of information influences so much about your hair, from how to style it to your haircut to the types of hair products you stock in your shower. But, when it comes to hair porosity, figuring it out isn’t as simple.

So what is high porosity hair?

“Hair porosity refers to how well the hair is able to absorb or hold on to moisture,” explains Marisa Garshick, M.D., a board-certified dermatologist and assistant clinical professor of dermatology at Cornell-New York Presbyterian Medical Center. “It often is a function of the cuticle, the outermost layer of the hair, to determine how much moisture passes in and out of the hair which can determine how porous your hair is. Different types of hair processing, such as heat, coloring or chemical processing, may impact hair porosity.”

What are the characteristics of high porosity hair?

If you have highly porous hair, you can expect lots of frizz, especially during humid weather, dullness and tangles. Your hair will also likely be prone to breakage and damage, and may look and feel dry.

 

How can you tell if you have high porosity hair?

Hair porosity falls into three categories: Low, medium and high.

  • “Low [porosity means it’s] difficult for moisture to penetrate and also difficult for moisture to escape,” says Brandie Devillier, platform educator at the Aveda Arts & Sciences Institute and certified color educator at Elevate Hair. If it takes a long time to blow dry, that’s a key indicator of low porosity. Low porosity hair can also be resistant to coloring, like gray hair.
  • “Medium porosity can accept moisture and release moisture easily,” Devilllier says. The hair cuticles are not tightly woven together and in general absorb products and moisture well, making it easier to care for.
  • High porosity means the cuticle layer of the hair is open and could have breakage. This type will dry quickly but it’s prone to frizz and feels very dry. High porosity hair often “looks dry and brittle, it is weak and breaks easily,” Devilllier says.

How to determine your hair porosity

Figuring out which type of hair porosity you have can make styling and keeping your hair healthy a lot easier. “There is an easy, old school trick to test your hair porosity at home,” says John Kahen, M.D., Chief Hair Surgeon and founder of Beverly Hills Hair Restoration. “Brush through clean hair, and gather the strands that shed naturally. Drop the hair strands in a glass of water and if they float, the hair is low porosity. If the hair sinks slowly after floating, it is medium porosity, and if the hair sinks instantly, it is high porosity.”

What causes high porosity hair?

Though hair porosity is largely determined by genes, it’s unknown exactly how that works, according to Trefor Evans, Ph.D., Institute Fellow at TRI Princeton. “It’s a very complicated question,” he says. “How your hair grows is down to your body’s physiology and there are so many things that control the body’s physiology.”

There are other factors at play, too. UV exposure from the sun, not using a heat protectant before styling, color and bleach can lead to high porosity hair. “Most of the porosity is genetic, but it can also be altered based on what you have done to your strands — things like chemical treatments to your hair or heat damage can take a role,” says Dove Partner & Celebrity Hair Stylist Lacy Redway.

How to care for high porosity hair

1. Opt for moisture-rich products

High porosity hair tends to be thirsty, so look for words like “hydrating” and “moisturizing” on the labels of your products. “Choosing the correct products based on your hair porosity is important,” Redway says. “Moisturize daily to help your strands from breaking and causing further damage.”

2. Get regular trims

“Because hair is dryer and more damaged, it is more prone to breakage and split ends,” Dr. Kahen says. “Regular trims help to stimulate new hair growth and keep the hair looking healthy and bouncy at the ends.” Aim for half-inch trims every four to six weeks.

3. Don’t shampoo too often

How often you wash your hair depends on your hair type, since you don’t want to strip your hair of its natural oils while finding solutions to help repair it, Redway says. On average, she recommends once to twice per week.

4. Read ingredient lists

“It is best to avoid sulfates when possible as these can be drying,” Dr. Garshick says, so opt for a sulfate-free shampoo at the very least. Additionally, be sure to steer clear of products that are clarifying or high alcohol content sprays, since these also zap moisture.

5. Suds up with the right shampoo

“There are two shampoos I recommend for high porosity hair: A damage repair shampoo and an added moisture shampoo,” Devilllier says. “Rotate these out weekly until your hair is happy again.” Our top shampoo for dry hair, Herbal Essences Bio:Renew Hydrate Coconut Milk Shampoo, conditions with coconut extract and aloe.

6. Never skip conditioner

High porosity hair needs all the moisture it can get, so be sure to always follow your shampoo with a conditioner. “You want conditioners that are deeply hydrating if you have high hair porosity,” Dr. Kahen says. “Especially leave-in conditioners can be effective because they can provide an additional barrier and layer of protection to help the hair retain moisture.”

He recommends plant-based oils like coconut and sea buckthorn oil, which are hydrating to the hair, as well as moisturizing ingredients like shea butter and manuka honey. Dr. Garshick suggests Andalou Naturals Argan Oil Conditioner, as it contains a blend of argan oil and avocado oil, as well as shea butter and vitamin E to both moisturize and condition the scalp.

7. Use a detangler

Hair that is high in porosity typically tangles easier, so it’s important to detangle hair to prevent further breakage when brushing out knots, advises Dr. Kahen. A top-rated hair detangler will help moisturize those tangles so they are easily released and you have no breakage. Garnier Gentle Detangling Hair Milk features a blend of oats, rice extract and aloe juice to glide right through knots while adding hydration to thirsty strands.

“Remember to comb from the bottom of the hair up to the scalp,” Devilllier says. “This will help with tension and ease of detangling.”

8. Skip tight styles

Sorry to be the bearer of bad news, but that high ponytail may not be worth it. “For hairstyles, try to avoid ones that cause further damage or breakage like tighter hairstyles that can pull at the hair,” Dr. Kahen says. That means no tight elastics. It’s also best avoid excessive heat styling and go easy when brushing your hair. Use a wide tooth detangling comb or a gentle brush to prevent breakage.

9. Try a treatment

“Remember that all hair is already dead, so it’s important to nourish it as much as possible, especially if you’re doing damaging treatments that can lead to high hair porosity,” Dr. Kahen says. “Hair masks are a good solution for treating the hair and helping with its strength; leave-in conditioners and hair masks can help to seal gaps in the hair cuticles and protect the hair; and lastly, oils are all great options to seal in the hydration and help the hair retain it.” It’s a 10 Miracle Deep Conditioner Plus Keratin deeply conditions hair while preventing damage.

For an even bigger boost, you can ask your stylist for a repair treatment add-on when you visit the salon. For example, the Kérastase In-Salon Fusio Dose is custom created by your stylist to target your specific needs.

10. Fight frizz

High porosity hair is prone to frizz because it’s more damaged and cannot retain moisture as well. “Because of this, it is more difficult for hair to hold onto its natural smoothing oils that help to hydrate hair and prevent frizziness, as well as hold onto products that are added to the hair to help with hydration and frizziness,” Dr. Kahen says.

Look for a frizz tamer like the Goldwell Kerasilk Control Rich Protective Oil, a winner in the GH Beauty Lab’s test to find the best anti-frizz hair products for its ability to smooth and boost shine.

11. Sleep on silk or satin

“In between washes, continue to moisturize your strands and avoid surfaces like cotton pillowcases that may dry it out further or cause friction to lift the cuticle and have breakage — try using satin pillowcases,” Redway says.

Headshot of Celia Shatzman

Celia Shatzman (she/her) is a Brooklyn-based writer and editor who has penned stories on topics ranging from beauty to fashion, travel, celebrities, health, entertainment, finance and more. A graduate of the Medill School of Journalism at Northwestern University, she is a beauty and style contributor at Forbes and her work has appeared in New York, Cosmopolitan, WWD, ELLE, Conde Nast Traveler, Afar, Travel + Leisure, Women’s Health, Marie Claire, Byrdie, Refinery29 and NYLON, among others. 

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The 14 Best Mineral Sunscreens of 2023, According to Pros

No matter the weather, the season or the length of time you’ll be outside, wearing

sunscreen is an absolute must (yes, even when it’s cloudy!). There are two types of sunscreens: mineral and chemical. “Mineral sunscreen uses physical blockers like zinc oxide and titanium dioxide,” explains Chris Tomassian, M.D., a Los Angeles-based board-certified dermatologist and founder of The Dermatology Collective. “These ingredients sit on top of the skin and block UV radiation.”

The Good Housekeeping Institute Beauty, Health and Sustainability Lab constantly tests beauty products, including sunscreens. In the Lab’s most recent test, our scientists analyzed 62 chemical and mineral body sunscreens, narrowing the field to the top 29 sunscreens. They then enlisted more than 250 consumer testers to evaluate the label-masked products, considering factors such as ease of use, scent, texture and more.

Regardless of the formula or brand you use, “the most important thing is that you are wearing sunscreen,” Dr. Tomassian says. But “for those with sensitive skin, mineral sunscreens generally have a lower chance of causing skin irritation,” he adds. If you’re looking specifically for a mineral SPF, we’ve got you covered with our top 14 picks, including the best mineral sunscreens for oily skin, acne-prone skin, dark skin and even ones that don’t leave a white cast.

Our top picks:

  • 1

    Best Overall Mineral Sunscreen

    MDSolarSciences Mineral Moisture Defense SPF 50 Sunscreen

    $35 at Amazon

    Read more

  • 2

    Pure & Simple SPF 50

    Best Value Mineral Sunscreen

    Coppertone Pure & Simple SPF 50

    Read more

  • 3

    Essential Defense Mineral Shield

    Best Mineral Sunscreen for Dark Skin

    SkinMedica Essential Defense Mineral Shield

    Read more

  • 4

    Mineral Skin Nourishing Milk SPF 50

    Best Mineral Sunscreen for Body

    Hawaiian Tropic Mineral Skin Nourishing Milk SPF 50

    Read more

  • 5

    Mineral SPF 30 Sunscreen Face Lotion

    Best Mineral Sunscreen for Face

    Sun Bum Mineral SPF 30 Sunscreen Face Lotion

    Read more

You can read more about how we evaluate mineral sunscreens in our Lab and consumer tests — plus everything you need to know to shop for your perfect SPF — at the end of this guide. Looking for more sunscreen options? Check out our guides to the best sunscreen sticks and the best natural and organic sunscreens for your money.

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The Best Type of Bangs for Your Face Shape, According to Hair Pros

✔️ Fluff fringe with a hair dryer: Kendall styles her clients’ bangs with the Dyson Airwrap (for a more affordable option, try the Revlon One-Step Hair Dryer).

✔️ Keep heat protectant handy: “The only issue with blowout brushes is that they can have very high temperatures, causing breakage,” she says. Invest in a heat protectant, a fantastic solution to combat this issue, as well as to seal in moisture, control frizz, fight humidity and help hold the style in place.

✔️ Get trims: Bangs tend to grow out pretty fast, so keep your preferred shape and get rid of split ends with regular trims. Montoya suggests trimming every two weeks for bangs above the eyebrow. Trim every three weeks for bangs at eye and cheek level. Bangs at the jawline should get a trim at the four-week mark. If you don’t want to visit the salon that often, you can learn to trim your own bangs at home.

✔️ Prevent breakage: A leave-in conditioner and hair oil go hand in hand when it comes to keeping those cute face framers healthy and free from breakage, says Kendall. It also extends your style longer, “meaning you don’t have to put heat on them every day to protect your hair,” she added.

✔️ Revive second-day bangs: A great way to dry style your bangs would be using a texturizing spray “to keep that hold and give them a little grit to stay put,” says Kendall.

✔️ Beat stiff winds: A dab of finishing cream or a spritz of hairspray is just the trick to keep dry bangs in place. If you’ve let your bangs dry naturally, Kendall says she “usually puts a small amount of SECOND Day Finishing Cream in my hair to give the pieces a little life and keep them positioned as if I styled them.”

✔️Accessorize: Montoya’s pro tip is to have hair accessories readily available for when you don’t have time to style bangs or decide to grow them out. “My go-tos are Goody Snap & Go clips or Goody Ouchless headwraps and headbands — they are timeless and give instant style,” he says.

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Pros Say That 'Reef-Safe' Sunscreen Claims Are 'Premature'

Slathering on sunscreen whenever you’re spending time al fresco should be a no-brainer — even when it’s cloudy — to protect against skin damage and cancers. But deciding which sunscreen to wear can require some research. Even with all the advice at our fingertips, the process can be still overwhelming. In addition to the FDA-regulated attributes such as broad-spectrum (protects against both UVA and UVB rays), water-resistance (up to 40 or 80 minutes) and SPF rating (at least SPF 30, please!), there is no shortage of marketing jargon to sift through.

“Reef-safe” or “reef-friendly” claims have been popping up with mass and indie brands alike. “Reef-safe” and “reef/ocean-friendly” claims imply that the actives used in that particular product are better for the well-being of the reefs and other aquatic life in the ocean. Sunscreen actives reach the ocean by direct release when we are swimming in the water but also can find their way by storm and waste waters that are fed by the drainage of pools and showers. But the term is tricky — both in what it implies, and how it’s regulated.

Where did the need for “reef-safe” sunscreen come from?

In 2018, Hawaii passed legislature banning sunscreen products containing oxybenzone and/or octinoxate. This ban came on the heels of research out of the Haereticus Environmental Laboratory in Virginia that suggested oxybenzone (a.k.a. benzophenone-3) and octinoxate could slow growth of a coral species, and demonstrated that oxybenzone was also toxic to six other coral species in lab tests.

While not all scientists agreed on the effects of sunscreen being the dominant effect in coral reef damage, the marketplace saw an influx of sunscreen product launches claiming to be “reef-safe.” Most “reef-safe” formulas in the market use mineral sunscreen actives zinc oxide and titanium dioxide and have eliminated not only the two chemical sunscreen actives banned in Hawaii, but all chemical UV filters approved by the FDA.

What does “reef-safe” sunscreen protect?

The recent emphasis on “reef-safe” sunscreen is spurred by damage to coral reefs (the so-called rainforests of the sea) which are made of limestone deposited by coral polyps over thousands of years. Changes in environmental conditions such as temperature, light or nutrients can stress to reefs, leading to them expel their colorful algae and turn white: If the stress persists, it can lead to death of the coral and disrupt the ecosystem that depends on it.

Why is this important? “Coral reefs represent less than 0.15% of the ocean yet they house more than 25% of all marine species — including thousands of fish and plants,” said Dr. Nicole Crane, marine biologist and executive director of One People One Reef Project, at a recent seminar hosted by the Society of Cosmetics Chemists NYC chapter. Corals are in a global crisis due, in part, to natural factors such as diseases, predators, storms, industrial pollution and unsustainable fishing practices, coupled with rising ocean temperatures and increased ocean acidification due to climate change. These coral structures are very precious as they grow ever so slowly — rates can vary widely between 0.3 cm/year to 10 cm/year — and they protect the coastlines from storms and erosion. Plus, through fishing, diving and snorkeling, reefs add hundreds of millions of dollars to local economies around the world. That’s why scientists are exploring how much additional factors, such as sunscreen filters, play a role in their decline.

What ingredient in sunscreen is bad for reefs?

Well, it’s TBD. “The evidence regarding the different filters is so incomplete that we can neither identify ‘bad actors’ nor ‘safe actors’ with any certainty,” says Mark Cullen, M.D., founding director of the Stanford Center for Population Health Science, who recently delved into sunscreen actives in a 400-page report by the National Academies (NAA) committee to analyze all available aquatic toxicity data on both chemical and mineral filters in the U.S. market.

Their main finding: There are data gaps to decide which actives, if any, pose an actual risk to the marine environment. Hence, the committee would like the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the federal regulatory body that funded the NAA’s efforts, to conduct an ecological risk assessment (ERA) for all currently marketed UV filters, both chemical (UV absorbing) and mineral/physical (UV blocking) actives, and any new ones that become available.

How do I know my SPF is reef-safe?

The bottom line: There is currently no sure way of knowing which sunscreen products are better than others for the well-being of reefs and aquatic life. The present availability of toxicity data to conduct environmental risk studies varies between “limited to non-existent,” according to Carys Mitchelmore, professor at the University of Maryland’s Center for Environmental Science and Chesapeake Biological Laboratory. “Only when such studies are completed, then you can begin to compare the risk between different UV filters,” she says. Dr. Cullen agrees that calling out one ingredient to be safer than other at this point in time is premature, saying, “this evidence falls short of being a strong reason to recommend a policy [or] even [make a recommendation] for consumers.”

So does buying “reef-safe” sunscreen actually matter?

Experts agree that the science of understanding the damage posed by sunscreens, or for that matter any other chemical, is still very young. There are “no standards for test methodologies, where and when to take samples in the environment and which species to use as models in the laboratory,” according to Mitchelmore.

“Despite all good intentions, various descriptors such as ‘reef-safe’ have no well-defined, official or, frankly, clear meaning,” says Dr. Cullen. “Terms such as ‘reef-safe’ presently are more for marketing than actually to inform that a product has proved to be safer for the reefs.” In fact, earlier this year, a class action lawsuit was filed against Australian sunscreen brand Bondi Sands in the Northern District of California, over using false “reef-friendly” advertisement claims. While the brand’s formulation does not contain oxybenzone or octinoxate, it does contain other FDA-approved chemical sunscreen filters, namely avobenzone, homosalate, octisalate and octorylene. The class action complaint accused Bondi Sands of using chemical sun filters without a distinction, stating that they may potentially harm reefs and marine life.

However, science-based or not, many manufacturers quietly phased out the two chemical sunscreen actives banned in Hawaii (oxybenzone and octinoxate) from sunscreen formulas. While this might ease the confusion consumers face when making purchase decisions or packing for a trip to Hawaii, it didn’t slow down the “reef-safe sunscreen” marketing frenzy nor the controversy around it.

Bottom line: Do I need to change my SPF?

As a general rule of thumb, if you like your current sunscreen, then there is no definitive evidence yet that you should avoid certain sunscreen filters for the sake of the reefs. Dr. Cullen recommends that “increased use of shade, protective clothing and other barrier approaches to skin protection, even at the beach, may be the best way to protect the reef until the EPA has taken the formal steps we have urged.”

But this, by no means, implies that you should stop using sunscreens to help the environment: On the contrary, the NAA report emphasized the importance of continuing sunscreen use for preventing skin cancers. The report also warned against the possibility of consumers altering either sunscreen choices or the amount and frequency they apply them with based on “their perceived impacts on the environment,” which seems like a premature behavioral change according to the experts we interviewed. TLDR: Keep using your sunscreen and reapply often.

With that said, here is a list of sunscreens that have topped our most recent consumer tests consisting of mineral-only sunscreens as well as those with chemical filters, except for oxybenzone and octinoxate, which have been banned in Hawaii and happen to have been eliminated from the formulations of many brands.

The best “reef-safe” sunscreens:

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