Anti-Fog
Many swimmers use anti-fog products to ensure their goggles don’t steam up. There are many products available for this, but the key here is to make sure they state that they are “reef safe” or “ocean safe”, as not all are. I have heard some swimmers swearing by baby shampoo, but I avoid this as some baby shampoos contain a preservative called quaternium-15, which when used releases formaldehyde, which can cause skin irritation. There is a long list of other chemicals in baby shampoo too, which are probably best not to introduce to rivers, lakes and the sea. To be fair, there are adult shampoos which also contain harmful chemicals. If you google “shampoo safe for the ocean” you will find a list of products that won’t damage the water you swim in but I’ve no idea if they will help keep your goggles fog-free!
Wetsuit lube / anti-chafing products
There are many products that swimmers use to help stop chafing when swimming, from Vaseline to other products specifically designed for the task. Vaseline is a by-product of the petroleum process and I’d prefer not to introduce it to the water. In addition, it can damage the neoprene in your wetsuit. Using a product designed for anti-chafing is better but look out for products that state they are “ocean safe” or natural. I have seen products based on beeswax and aloe which you can try.
Sunscreen
Recently, researchers have voiced concerns about the harmful effects of chemical sunscreens on human health and the environment. Specifically, two of the most popular ingredients in chemical sunscreens — oxybenzone and octinoxate — have been shown to cause significant damage to coral reefs. A recent study revealed that about 14,000 tons of sunscreen end up in reefs worldwide, which can lead to bleaching, damaged DNA and abnormal skeleton growth in coral. When looking for sunscreen then look for mineral-based products such as All Good sport sunscreen, Think Sport, Badger, Alba Botinica, Aveeno and Bare Republic. I said I wouldn’t list brands, but it can be hard to find mineral sunscreen, so I made an exception. Sorry!
Wetsuit cleaning, conditioning and repair
Cleaning your wetsuit after your swim will help it last longer, so apart from using just fresh water, there are some products on the market that contain no harmful chemicals and are biodegradable (plus have some very inventive names!). Using cleaning and conditioning products will keep your wetsuit in good condition and help it last longer.
It’s also a good idea to give your wetsuit a good clean after each swim so you don’t transfer parasites from one ecosystem to another. For example, in Spain we have a type of mussel that has appeared in some lakes that we don’t want to spread to other lakes so we are asked to clean boats, kayaks, SUPs, wetsuits etc. when we leave. Below is an example of a sign you may see at a swimming venue in Spain:
