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Featuring mineral sunscreen, upcycled beach bags, better beach toys, and lots more.
It’s hard to believe, but summer is nearly here. As temperatures warm, tulips fade, and hydrangeas bud, the mannequins in the store windows near me have traded in their pants and sweaters for rompers and dresses. It’s almost time to hit the sand, which means that it’s time to share a list of our favorite eco-friendly swimsuits and more sustainable items for the beach.
While I enjoy being at the beach, I’m not fond of the associated packing, parking, or schlepping. I have to take the subway for an hour just to get to a crowded beach, then take the train home after having gotten wet and sandy. So while I need to take stuff with me, I don’t want to carry extra. Having the right stuff for the beach matters.
This week, I’ll share a little bit of info about a lot of great companies. They all make eco-friendly items for the beach that can make your day at the shore even better. From sunscreens to swimsuits to totes to recycled beach toys, the list includes something for everyone.
If you’re interested in some great reading material, check out these recent Bluedot articles, one on the movie Jaws 50 years after its release, and another on innovative new desalination techniques that could help make it easier to use ocean water to fight fires. Maybe you can read the articles on the beach. Or just take in the sound of the waves.
Happy sunning and swimming, and happy shopping!
P.S. I’ve got a hot tip for those of you struggling to rub in your mineral sunscreen in less time than it takes to read this newsletter. Moisturize before applying the sunscreen: It will absorb more easily that way, and is less likely to leave a white cast. Oh, and to extend the life of your swimsuit, don’t wash it too often. Just rinse it with fresh water, squeeze, and let it hang dry (out of the sun). You’re welcome!
Top Picks for the Beach
Water-Resistant Mineral Sunscreens
Blue Lizard
Kids and folks with sensitive skin should try the fragrance-free Sensitive Mineral SPF 50. The brand has 30 years’ experience making mineral sunscreens.
Vacation Sunscreen
My personal favorite, Vacation Mineral Lotion SPF 30 rubs in quickly and has a satisfyingly nostalgic, coconutty scent.
Thrive Regenerative Skincare
This public benefit corporation’s BodyShield SPF 50 has a lotion-like texture and comes in a recyclable, recycled plastic tube.
Women’s Swimwear
Carve Designs
Perfect for anyone seeking supportive swimsuits and athletic swimwear such as rashguards, boardshorts, and “land-to-sea” clothes.
Vitamin A Swim
If you like your swimwear to be as sexy as it is sustainable, check out Vitamin A’s classic and contemporary styles. The brand, founded and owned by a former designer for Patagonia, also offers cover-ups, loungewear, and hats.
Seea
Unusual yet functional and surprisingly sexy silhouettes are the hallmarks of this surfer-beloved brand.
Men's Swimwear
Outerknown Apparel
Founded by surf champ Kelly Slater, Outerknown makes great trunks, including the new Apex Evolution shorts made from old fishing nets.
Florence Marine X Men’s Swim
Innovative recycled materials make these board shorts and UPF clothes perform to the standards of the brand’s World Surf League Champion founder, John Florence.
Prana Activewear
A Bluedot favorite for performancewear of all types, Prana’s swim line offers UPF 50 protection across the board.
Kid's Swimwear and Toys
Hanna Andersson
This Oregon brand has been making cheerful clothes for kids to play in for over 40 years, and offers (thoroughly cleaned) swimwear new as well as secondhand.
Quince
You’ll find a great assortment of UPF swimwear and rashguards for babies through kids age 12 from this direct-to-consumer brand.
Green Toys
We recommend starting searches for kids' toys on Facebook Marketplace. If you’re buying new, look for recycled plastic ones like these.
Coolers and Beach Bags
Sea Bags
You won’t mind toting boatloads of stuff to the beach when you do it in a chic, made-in-the-USA bag made from upcycled boat sails.
Laume Linen
These glamorous, machine-washable linen bags weigh next to nothing and are on sale through May 20.
Out of the Woods Coolers and Bags
Take your own food, drinks, and snacks to the beach in these affordable, easy-to-transport lightweight coolers. Save 15% when you enter code BLUEDOT at checkout.
Even More for the Beach
Nomadix Towels and Picnic Blankets
Soft, lightweight, compact, and quick-drying, these recycled beach towels and blankets fit easily into almost any beach bag.
Okabashi Sandals
In addition to being made in Georgia using American-grown soybeans, these sandals offer good arch support for all-day comfort.
Klean Kanteen Bottles
Don’t forget to stay hydrated! These stainless steel bottles will keep your water cold for 24 hours.
Stasher Reusable Bags
Packing snacks for the beach is another must. Heavy-duty silicone Stasher bags won’t blow away and end up causing more pollution.
Great Books
We all know what books look like after a day on the shore. You might as well save money and pack your tote with used books from ThriftBooks!
Wetsuits
If you surf or dive, consider one of Patagonia’s innovative Yulex wetsuits, which are neoprene- (aka plastic-) free. The suits come in a variety of lengths and thicknesses. Patagonia also sells hoods, gloves, and booties, as well as safety gear for big waves.
