Reef Safe SunCare, based in Ormond Beach, has launched a sunscreen that’s biodegradable in freshwater and saltwater and protects against insects. South Florida Adventures’ editor David Raterman recently tested the product while kayaking for five days in the backcountry of the Florida Keys. He says it worked great warding off sunburn, mosquitoes and no-see-ums.

The new product, BackCountry, is an SPF 30+ sunscreen with added natural citronella. It comes in a convenient spray bottle that fits easily into a backpack or kayak.

“For our consumers that spend long hours on the water, especially those in the fishing industry, sun damage and insects are two of their biggest annoyances,” said Dan Knorr, the company’s CEO. “After much experimentation to provide a sunscreen that also fends off insects, we’ve had great feedback on BackCountry with citronella from fishing guides and captains.”

According to Reef Safe, 99 percent of its sunscreens biodegrade in oceans, lakes and rivers. Reef Safe says the nontoxic (to sea life) formula in BackCountry gives outdoorsmen piece of mind by protecting their skin and the marine life they respect. The company is concerned “about the damage done to reefs and marine life by the 4,000 to 6,000 metric tons of toxic sunscreens estimated to wash off swimmers into the oceans every year.”

For more information, including where to buy BackCountry, visit ReefSafeSuncare.com.