Coral bleaching is a worldwide problem and more needs to be done to determine causes and potential solutions. A myopic focus on sunscreen ingredients as the proximate cause of coral bleaching provides consumers a false belief that enacted bans of these ingredients will erase decades of coral reef decline. Instead, these bans will likely only lead to decreased sunscreen use and exposure to potentially harmful UV radiation. A closer examination of all available evidence on the causes of coral reef bleaching needs to be undertaken, including a more thorough appraisal of studies conducted under artificial conditions using higher concentrations of sunscreen ingredients.