Not so long ago you could enter any pool of water, body soaked in suntan lotion, and no one seemed to care.


You could decide to snorkel the reef and layer your back with the most waterproof screen you could purchase. And again no one minded.

Well the world has clearly changed…and clearly for the better.

Today many properties in Mexico and the Caribbean are clearly stating to tourists that going into the water without a biodegradable sunscreen is an absolute no-no. And for snorkelers and divers the restriction has become even more rigid.

Enter Ron and Sandra Kleier. They had been specializing in making natural sun care biodegradable products for well over a decade under the name Mexitan. Before it became a resort demand they were already perfecting their products for the online market they had developed.

Suddenly, with the maturity of resort brands and tourist regions wanting to protect their pool equipment and the sustainability of diving reefs, they had a product in demand.

The name was changed to Tropical Sands and a Made in America industry was born.

It easily wins over the few competitive products out there. A review of other blogger sites clearly points that out. Why?

It works. Some suggest it works too well. Reports say the 30 and 50 SPF are so good that you may stay completely white, even in the hottest of sun rays. You may have to test this for yourself and use a 15 SPF if you want more tan and less protecton.

It is genuinely waterproof, is easy to apply and is recognized by most countries as a reef friendly sun, and water, protection product.

It is important to read the directions before applying because unlike other sun products you should shake the bottle well first to ensure the active ingredients are properly mixed.

This is not your usual chemically laden binding product that kills reefs and destroys pumping equipment.

The ingredients are as follows: Titanium Dioxide, Zinc Oxide, Deionized Water, Sunflower Oil, Lecithin, Coconut Oil, Glycerine, Xanthan Gum, Green Tea Extract, Jojoba Oil, Tocopheryl Acetate (vitamin E), Retinyl Palmitate (vitamin A), Shea Butter, Eucalytpus Oil.

Using this product correctly is important. Firstly before going into the water give it the required time to set. Apply a thin coating to your skin. The Zinc and Titanium do not go into your skin. They stay on the surface but unlike Zinc type products of past days which tended to stay white after application for a long time.

It will be a white sheen upon application but because the ingredients have been micronized, the sheen will disappear quickly.

Because it is such a waterproof product it may take a little longer to shower off as you make ready to go out for the evening. But this is proof of its effectiveness and is providing the protection you want and the environment needs.

Since it is a natural product some suggest refrigerating left-over unused bottles to add extra active life to it. It is highly likely that on a vacation daily use will pretty much use up the bulk of the contents. And you will return home sun protected and environmentally responsible.

You can find Tropical Sands products online at www.journeystravelgear.com  You can email question about travel products to me at askjourneys@journeystravel.com  I will answer your question and have it published right here on Tripatlas as well.

Read past questions and answers from readers at Journeystravelgear as well.