Badger Applauds Hawaii’s Ban of Reef Harming Sunscreens

Maker of people and planet-friendly mineral sunscreens and other organic personal care products
joins eleven safe sunscreen brands in supporting the ban and raising public awareness.

Gilsum, NH, May 25, 2018 --(PR.com)-- W.S. Badger Co., the maker of people and planet-friendly
mineral sunscreens and personal care products, applauds Hawaii on being the first in the U.S. and the
world to pass legislation banning sunscreens containing chemicals that harm coral reefs. Once signed by
Governor David Y. Ige, Senate Bill 2571, which will take effect January 1, 2021, prohibits the sale or
distribution of any sunscreens containing oxybenzone, octinoxate, or both on the islands.

Badger launched its first broad spectrum sunscreen in 2005 and ever since has been on a mission to raise
public awareness that the active mineral ingredient non-nano zinc oxide is one of the safest options for
people, coral reefs, and marine ecosystems. As a member of the Safe Sunscreen Council, the company is
proud to be working with a coalition of eleven other safe sunscreen brands in supporting this bill and the
use of natural, reef-friendly sunscreens.

According to the Environmental Working Group (EWG), oxybenzone is found in 65% of available
chemical sunscreens. EWG also points out that product with active mineral ingredients, such as zinc
oxide, provide better broad-spectrum protection against UVA as well as UVB rays. Badger sunscreens
have obtained top safety and efficacy ratings from the EWG and protect with non-nano zinc oxide - the
safest single active ingredient available. The company recently launched two new clear zinc oxide
sunscreens, unscented SPF 30 and SPF 35.

“To produce the most reef friendly sunscreens, Badger follows ingredient recommendations set forth by
the Haeriticus Environmental Laboratory. We believe in creating sunscreens that are good for your skin
and the environment,” says Rebecca Hamilton, family owner and VP of Research & Product
Development at Badger. “Badger has always considered the environmental impact of our products, and
long before people were searching for it, we were making naturally reef-safe sunscreens.”

A recent article published by Slate.com refers to a 2015 study that states “oxybenzone and octinoxate
were found to contribute to coral bleaching (the scourge that has more or less destroyed the Great Barrier
Reef), slow new coral growth, and disrupt marine life. The study found the chemicals in especially high
concentrations in popular tourist waters, especially in Hawaii and the U.S. Virgin Islands. In response,
some resorts and tour companies have chosen to ban or educate against nonbiodegradable sunscreens,
while the National Park Service recommends being “reef friendly” by choosing sunscreens made with
natural mineral ingredients such as titanium oxide or zinc oxide.”

About Badger
Badger is a family run and family-friendly company that has been making healthy products for people
and the planet since 1995. Badger was born when Badger Bill, a carpenter at the time, created a recipe of
natural ingredients strong enough to soothe his rough, dry, cracked hands. Now a team of over 100
employees, the company produces sunscreens and nearly 100 hundred personal care products at its

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headquarters in Gilsum, N.H. Inherent in Badger's DNA is its status as a B Corp, a certification earned
through B Lab, a third party non-profit that requires companies to meet rigorous standards of
transparency as well as environmental and social performance. Badger has been a certified B Corp since
2011 and in 2015 became one of New Hampshire's first businesses to register legally as a Benefit
Corporation, a for-profit status that incorporates the pursuit of positive environmental and social impact
in addition to profit. For more information, visit Badger at badgerbalm.com and follow on Facebook,
Twitter, and Instagram.

About the Safe Sunscreen Council

The Safe Sunscreen Council is a coalition of companies with a shared mission to study this issue, raise
awareness within the skin care industry and consumers and support the development and adoption of
safer ingredients for people and planet. In addition to Badger, its members include All Good, Babo
Botanicals, Kokua Sun Care, Mama Kuleana, Manda, Raw Elements, Raw Love, Sea & Summit,
Stream2Sea, and Suntegrity.

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Contact Information:
W.S. Badger Company
Deirdre Fitzgerald
603-283-5220
Contact via Email
www.badgerbalm.com

Online Version of Press Release:

You can read the online version of this press release at: https://www.pr.com/press-release/754483

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