Does sunblock on your skin make you retain more heat or feel more hot? Also, how do you know if your sunblock is reef safe (biodegradable)?

I only know that sunblock will help prevent skin cancer on my very white skin. It is a must do.

Hi all... yeah.. it's great to use at least a 30 or higher.. there is a SPF listing on all bottles. 30 or higher is best for adults.. lower for kids. I'm somewhat of a nudist and I've generated a nice all over tan... by not being out real sudden for a long time at beginning of season and gradually getting into it.. We have plans to go to Tobago in September... were in St. Maartin in Nov. 05 loved it... Merl

As far as the heat goes, I think you'll be feeling the hot sun in the tropics no matter what you put on. SPF blocks UV rays, not heat.

As far as using higher SPF lotions, anything above 30 SPF is simply a waste. You can NOT get any higher block than 30. Of course good marketing will lead you to believe otherwise.

I never experienced being hotter wearing reef safe sun block. Here's my reply to the screen name below: Tap in "Tan in a Tank" on yahoo or in google; it offers genuine scuba and snorkeling sunscreen that protects the reefs. Whatever brand you purchase that claims it's biodegradable, make sure the contents do not contain oil; it must be oil free, paba free, and biodegradable. The brand Hawaiin Tropic sunscrean is labelled as biodegradeable, oil free and PABA free. Still, I wonder how many tourists are not so conscious of the reef systems and shower after basking in the sun in the showers. There must be buckets full of suncreen laden with oil, etc. that flows into the reefs. I hope all resorts have their own water filtration systems to prevent this. Robert 59