Evidence you can read
Our research covers different questions: how a formulation performs in specified marine tests, and how an assessed product compares across its life cycle. These are distinct kinds of evidence.
Coral research and the patent
European patent EP2736482B1 describes coral experiments used in formulation development. The observations relate to the ingredients, organisms, concentrations and conditions tested. The patent is not a certification that every product causes no environmental harm.
Read the patent and experimental details
Sea-urchin research: findings and limitations
The 2017 study published in Scientific Reports evaluated a finished SPF40 sunscreen, which is now discontinued. At 24 hours, embryo abnormalities did not differ significantly from the control. Larval effects and reductions in enzyme activity were also reported.
This study did not test each of our three UV filters separately on sea urchins. It does not establish an absence of harm across species or conditions, or confirm that every current formula is identical to the tested product.
SPF50 life-cycle assessment
The SPF50 sunscreen was compared with two reference alternatives using 16 environmental impact categories under the EF 3.1 method. It showed lower impact in 11 of those 16 categories. The life-cycle assessment was independently reviewed.
SPF50 was the first consumer product admitted to the Water Revolution Foundation’s Hub of Verified Solutions. The verification concerns the assessed SPF50 product and life-cycle comparison; it does not extend automatically to SPF25, SPF40, SPF50+ or future products.
Read the Water Revolution Foundation’s assessment and scope
Check the formula
Ingredient lists are provided on individual product pages and packaging. When assessing a claim, check which finished formula was tested, the species studied, the concentration and exposure time, and both the favourable results and limitations.