Zinc Oxide

We met at the drugstore in the sunscreen aisle. I had been poring over the ingredient lists, searching for something with broad-spectrum UV coverage. Using the right protection was important.

"If you're looking for something reef-safe, your choices here are limited," a voice beside me rumbled. I looked up into a slightly nervous face. He wasn't used to talking to strangers. “What I mean is that, uh, all the sunscreens here will be quite toxic. For the corals and the fish. Bleaching, you know.”

I hadn’t even considered the reefs when I walked into the store, but he seemed nice. And that voice.

The health of the marine ecosystems rose suddenly in my esteem. "Where should I go to find the right stuff then, would you know?"

He would probably suggest the swim store next door. Hmm. I didn’t have a membership there, so byebye loyalty points. Ah well. He could help me with the purchase and then I’d offer up a coffee as thanks. Lost points win friends. With really nice voices.

"Korea, maybe? Or Europe?" he responded, waggling his hand towards the entrance. "The FDA hasn't approved any of the cutting edge ingredients yet." 

Oh. Nice going, FDA. I decided to come clean. "I'll be honest. I was going to ask you to help me pick out a sunscreen. And grab a coffee after. I'm not sure if Korea fits into that schedule, though." 

He looked down at me. He had a kind face, a pleasant voice, and it would be nice if he agreed. 

"Tell you what," he said after a few seconds. "There's a cafe I've been meaning to try just a block away. And before that, let's find you something with zinc oxide. It's fiddly to use, but it'll protect both the corals and you." 

“Sounds great,” I replied. Using the right protection was important.