Thrive Reef Safe Sunscreen SPF50 - Hawaii 104 Reef Act Compliant - Mineral Sunscreen Non-Nano Zinc Oxide - Vegan, (5.8 Oz (Pack of 1))

I really wanted to love this product but it dried out my skin. A few days after I began using it I noticed my the skin on my arms was tight and itchy. I thought perhaps it was a change of weather that might have caused the sudden dryness but it continued. I stopped using the sunscreen and my skin has returned to normal. It's a pity because this is a pricey sunscreen with good ingredients. I'll finish using it along with extra body oil or moisturiser but won't buy it again.

I've spent a lot of time in the sun and used a lot of different sunscreens over the years (I'm 47). Some have been chemical-based, some physical (like mineral and zinc oxide), some reef-safe, and some sport sunscreens (for beach volleyball and such), some mainstream/big brand, and some from local and indie companies (including Korean and Australian brands). Thrive is probably my favorite sunscreen ever. It's pricey but worth it. Effective and so luxurious on my skin. It has a nice mild smell too. Gave me peace of mind while vacationing and snorkeling in Cozumel recently. Not a single sunburn in 8 days. It's pricey for sunscreen but I've paid way more for a luxury body oil and this sunscreen makes my skin feel like I'm using an expensive body oil. Highly recommend.

SPF 50 mineral protection (non-nano zinc) ✔️ Reef-safe & Hawaii compliant ✔️ Gentle, clean formula ➖ Can leave slight white cast ➖ Needs reapplication every 2 hours

I absolutely love this sunscreen! It provides strong SPF 50 protection without any harsh chemicals, which gives me peace of mind knowing my skin and the ocean are both safe. The formula is mineral-based, absorbs quickly, and doesn’t leave that greasy or sticky feeling so common with other sunscreens. I can wear it all day while hiking, swimming, or just lounging outdoors, and it never irritates my skin. I also appreciate that it’s reef-safe and Hawaii 104 compliant — it feels great to use a product that’s effective for me and responsible for the environment. The texture is smooth and easy to apply, and it doesn’t leave a white cast like some mineral sunscreens. Overall, it’s a high-quality, thoughtful sunscreen that I’ll definitely be buying again. Highly recommend for anyone looking for safe, effective sun protection!

I love the feeling of this sunscreen and it rubs in leaving no white film. The smell of citrus is pleasant but I feel like it smells too much like a health food store. I will be looking for a product with a different scent.

I tried around 8 different reef safe sunblocks. Australian Gold and Thrive were the best. The only reef safe sunblocks are those that use either non-micronized Zinc Dioxide, or non-micronized Titanium Dioxide. Any sunblock with other active ingredients may claim to be reef safe, but it isn’t. Why wear reef safe sunblock? All water goes to the ocean eventually, so I try to use this stuff as much as I can. But you especially should wear it if you’re going anywhere near a tropical coral reef. They’re vital ecosystems that are having enough trouble as it is. Hawaii has already banned a few of the most harmful ingredients, though there are still plenty out there that are still technically allowed. Thrive spreads more easily and evenly than anything else I’ve tried. If you’re concerned with the aesthetics of lotion that is visibly white, definitely go with Thrive. It’s pretty oily, but that oil allows the mineral sunscreen to be evenly distributed, even on hairy skin. This is from the perspective of someone who is relatively pale, so I don’t know about people with darker skin. My guess is that is would visibly lighten you a tiny bit, but since it spreads so evenly, the lightness will be uniform. I would also argue that Thrive, along with most other mineral sunblocks, is functionally better than chemical sunblock. It protects you for longer, and stays on longer while you’re submerged in water. That said, Australian Gold is king when it comes to being functionally the best (it’s also cheaper). Thrive is cosmetically the best, and will probably protect you just as well if you aren’t going in the water. One more word of warning, if you do try Australian Gold. Not all Australian Gold sunblocks are reef safe. They do make non reef safe, chemical sunblocks… make sure you buy the ones that say “botanical.” As far as I know Thrive does not make a non reef-safe sunscreen, so that’s another good reason to go with Thrive, to reward the company that has more responsible practices.