Why the FDA and Global Regulators Agree: Zinc Oxide is the Gold Standard for Sunscreen Safety

In a world filled with conflicting information, choosing the right sunscreen can feel like a daunting task. You want to protect your skin from the sun, but you also care deeply about what you put on your body and what washes off into the ocean. With headlines constantly questioning the safety of different chemical ingredients, it’s easy to feel lost. In this sea of uncertainty, where can we turn for a clear, trustworthy answer? We can turn to the science, and to the leading regulatory bodies whose sole job is to determine what is truly safe.

The Core Finding: The FDA's "GRASE" Gold Standard

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is the foremost authority on drug and cosmetic safety in the United States. Recently, the FDA issued a proposed order to update its regulations for over-the-counter sunscreens, evaluating the safety and effectiveness of all active ingredients.

From this rigorous review, the FDA created a category called GRASE, which stands for "Generally Recognized as Safe and Effective." This classification is reserved for ingredients that have sufficient data to prove they are not a risk to consumers. Of the many active ingredients used in sunscreens today, the FDA has proposed that only two meet this high standard: zinc oxide and titanium dioxide. Other chemical ingredients were found to have insufficient data to make a positive GRASE determination.

(Source: FDA Zinc GRASE FDA Q&A)

Why This Matters for the Eco-Conscious Adventurer

This regulatory clarity is monumental, not just for your personal health, but for your peace of mind as a steward of the environment. The findings from the FDA, along with similar stringent safety reviews from global bodies like Australia’s Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA), create a powerful global consensus.

When you're trekking to a remote beach or diving in a protected marine park, the last thing you want to worry about is whether your sunscreen is harming the delicate ecosystem around you. The clear safety designation for zinc oxide means you don’t have to. While the science on how other chemical filters impact coral and marine life continues to evolve, zinc oxide has an established and trusted profile. It’s a physical blocker that sits on top of the skin, rather than being absorbed. This clarity allows you to focus on your adventure, not on your ingredient list.

(Source: TGA FOI: All Safety Assessments FOI 25-0009 Attached ComTech Meeting Minutes)

The Mineral Solution: Your Clearest Choice

At Reef Safe, this global regulatory consensus forms the very foundation of our product philosophy. We chose to build our formulas exclusively around non-nano zinc oxide precisely because of its unmatched safety and efficacy profile. We don't believe in using ingredients that are still "under review" or for which there is "insufficient data."

By choosing Reef Safe, you are choosing the gold standard. You are aligning with the conclusions of the world’s leading scientific experts. Our commitment is to provide a product that offers powerful, broad-spectrum protection without compromise—for your skin, your family, and the wild places you love to explore.

Conclusion: Adventure with Confidence

In the complex world of skincare, simplicity is a strength. The message from the FDA and the global regulatory community is simple: mineral sunscreens powered by zinc oxide are a safe and effective choice. You can step out into the sun and dive into the ocean with the full confidence that you are protected by an ingredient that is trusted around the world.

Ready to make the clear choice? Explore our collection of 100% non-nano zinc oxide sunscreens today.