New regulations. Which products are safest? Get ready for summer with our Hawaii sunscreen safety info.
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113 thoughts on “Hawaii Sunscreen Safety Updates + Products You Picked”
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New regulations. Which products are safest? Get ready for summer with our Hawaii sunscreen safety info.
Get Breaking Hawaii Travel News
Comments are closed.
Thanks for posting the names of the early-approved sun screens. My dermatologist emphasizes sunscreens must have zinc, or a similar reflective property, to protect you. Good ol’ Zinc Oxide remains the gold standard. Also screen clothing is another route to take. Even staying in the shade isn’t 100 percent unless you account for reflected sun from the water and sand. Oh, and wear a hat with a wide brim, too. I speak as a frequent flyer with my dermatologist to remove unwanted things on my skin.
Good info. Thanks. 😊
Hi Sue.
Thanks. Take care.
Aloha.
I miss the Hawaiian Tropic stuff that smelled like coconut and was basically cooking oil for your skin🤣
OH, those college days up on the roof with the aluminum foil covered cardboard and the bottle of Hawaiian Tropic!
After I ran out of time to get my no-chemical sunscreen by mail, I wore Sun Bum on a Phoenix trip and in that one trip, developed a horrible rash which became a melanoma on my chest! During that diagnostic, three different dermatologists from three different practices told me BLUE LIZARD out of Australia was the only sunscreen I should use. They pointed out that (at that time), getting an SPF assigned to a US produced product was literally a joke! A few years ago, Blue Lizard revamped their line to be “Reef Safe”. You can sometimes find it at Walmart but look for their on-line specials!
There are many Kauai made zinc based sunscreens available both online and on island. Not my companies, just sharing local info.
Hawaiipeeps.com, SolRemedies.com, kokuasunscreen.com
May I ask if EWG is not a good source, then what is? I’m researching sunscreens for my son, and any reputable sources would be appreciated. Thanks.
Consumer Reports
they report that the mineral sunscreens do not protect very well
and that the science on damage to coral reefs is not well supported by global climate change researchers, who have found that temperature spikes are much more powerful at damaging coral reefs than any chemicals in sunscreen, tourism and even wastewater runoff
I found out that I’m allergic to the new broad spectrum sun screens a few years ago so I don’t use them. Is Hawaiian Tropic tanning oil ok? I found that it repels bugs from me.
Do you know if Sun Bum products are approved for Hawaii? Thank you
Hi Allyson.
Doesn’t appear so.
Aloha.
Avoid sunscreens with high content of Titanium Dioxide. This mineral does not biodegrade and is found to react in warm seawater to form hydrogen peroxide which is harmful to all sea life. Oxybenzone and octinoxate, the two chemicals recently banned in Hawaii and are believed to cause coral bleaching.
Difficult to decide what might be your worst culprit then, as titanium dioxide is the most common white pigment used in paints, coatings, plastics, paper, inks, fibers, foods and cosmetics globally…ever seen bright white paint? White ceramics? You can eat the stuff without harm (why would you though) and titanium dioxide ABSORBS hydrogen peroxide on its surface, it DOES NOT create it, and could only collect what is already there. This is about the last thing on earth to worry about harming the environment in itself…however the process to release it from some of its Hard Rock forms is what I’d be arguing against!
Thanks for the good information, as always!! We are going to be in Kauai next month (yay!!) and I plan on buying my sunscreen there since we are just doing carry-ons. I’m from SoCal but super white (oncology nurse with extensive family history of skin cancer…TMI :P). Are the listed reef safe lotions readily available in stores on Kauai?? Mahalo again!!
Hi Emily.
Thank you. Honestly we aren’t sure. One thing for sure, you have few choices for where to buy. Sorry.
Aloha.
Your best bet for finding “approved” reef and people safe sunscreens on Kauai can be found in the surf shops such as Hanalei Surf in Hanalei. We were there in December/Januay and they were not available yet in te grocery stores. Hopefully that is changing. Have an amazing trip. 🙂
Thanks for the suggestion Vicki!!
The article also said that TSA allows full size sunscreen now, so you can buy ahead and keep in the carry on.
The best way to check for reef-friendly sunscreen is to look at the active ingredients. The reef-friendliest sunblocks are made from minerals and do NOT have any active chemical ingredients. So, look for zinc oxide or titanium dioxide. Do NOT believe the stickers or marketing data – they are often wrong or misleading.
Better yet, cover up and use rash guards, hats, board shorts, and sunwear shirts.
Thanks for your help in protecting marine life and helping us preserve the marine ecosystem for future generations!
Thanks Jeanie.
Aloha.
I agree with Jeanie F. We have never been fans of sunscreen. We limit our exposure and wear sun hats, sunlasses and use umbrellas, etc. If I were a snorkeler I would wear sun blocking clothing. I would also use these on my kids/grand kids. They are smaller and who knows what toxic effects all those chemicals have on their small bodies. No long term testing has EVER been done. Shame on the sunscreen manufacturers. Money, money, money. They don’t worry about our health. We need to take responsibility. Sadly, not much info on this subject until lately. Enjoy the sun ‘responsibly’ – meaning limit exposure, and protect yourself with clothing, hats, sunglasses, etc.
Here is an interesting article on the sunscreen issue and the need humans have for the sun – the real thing – in moderation, of course. A very good ‘read.’
https://www.outsideonline.com/2380751/sunscreen-sun-exposure-skin-cancer-science
Thanks for the link to the article, I found it fascinating, had never heard any of this. Will keep it in mind while outside and allow some reasonable sun exposure, while protecting my face where I have had some basal cell cancers in the last few years. But grew up in California, and often sunburned as a kid.
Utter nonsense. Testing has been done. But in any case, mineral block sunscreens are safe.
The problem is that the testing was done in an aquarium with concentrations of millions or billions of times higher than seen in the ocean. It’s like worrying about second-hand smoke from one smoker taking one puff from a cigarette in the Washington Mall a mile away.
The real danger to coral is warming ocean water.
The ban on sunscreens will cause hundreds of cases of skin cancer over a long period of time. The effect on coral of unmeasurably small amounts of sunscreen is insignificant.
EXACTLY RIGHT
I just bought at Costco, sunscreen that has a sign saying “reef safe.” It is called Alba Botanica Hawaiian Sunscreen and it’s free of oxybenzone.
After dealing with a bout of sun allergy in Hawaii, I have since, successfully used a Hawaii made produce called Grab A Tan. Lets me get a wee bit of sun and still protects from burning. Would not use for extended time in the out doors as I am not certain of how it would work on me. Do not know where this one falls on your list.
Australian Gold mineral sunscreen is great protection, consistency, and disappears on skin. Available and well-reviewed on Amazon.
Is Thinksport Sunscreen (made by the same folks that make ThinkBaby Safe Sunscreen) also reef safe?
Hi there!
I was told to use “Maui Babe” sunscreen while on a snorkeling boat trip while visiting Maui. Do you know if that is still a recommended product?
Thank you!
Hi Shirley.
Here’s what EWG has to say about that: https://www.ewg.org/skindeep/brand/Maui_Babe/
Aloha.
It’s expensive, but I love beautycounter CounterSun mineral sunscreen because it applies cleanly and easily without making you look like a white ghost. It has a 1 rating on EWG.
Hi readers, Beautycounter is also going to be offering tinted sunscreen coming later this month so you’ll have a little tan along with your chemical free reef safe sunscreen, safe enough for the whole family. Juli H
YEH! Have been waiting for more press on REEF-SAFE SUNSCREENS. Beat of Hawaii is a great source of guidance to help get the word out. I was given the free sample of Raw Essentials SPF 30 on one of my Hawaiin Airlines flights, but you did not mention this and I cannot find it in the stores. Any help? Mahalo, Jean
Hi Jean.
That is available on Amazon here, but we did not list it as it did not have very good reviews. We tried it as well.
Aloha.
Just got back from Oahu for a week. Used Raw Elements SPF 30 (the one in the can, 79 reviews at 4.1 stars out of 5). Most sunscreen, if I get it near my eyes, stings a bit, but this stuff was awesome. No discomfort anywhere. I used it all over my face with no irritation at all. It worked well for me, did not burn, but my wife, who is a bit sensitive to the Sun, did get a little red, still no burn. We picked up a SPF 50 at Sea Life Park while there and it seemed to work well for her, can not recall the name, but it was toted as a safe for the environment as well. I think you could go with Raw Elements and odds would be in your favor. Just follow Beats link above, should be just a click away. Good luck.
Thanks Travis.
Aloha.
good for Hawaii! I have always gotten a bad itchy rash if I use anything that says “Sport” or water proof etc. Especially bad reaction from Banana Boat Sport…I like the new zinc based sunscreen. They are not like the old white paste anymore. Don’t forget some great sun is healthy for you with all that natural Vitamin D we get from it. I like a nice healthy tan too, without burning. Interesting and helpful article.
Yes, sun is a healthy source of Vitamin D. Lack of vitamin D is associated with all sorts of ailments, including cancer. We NEED it and for years and years, people have slathered themselves with products to prevent/avoid getting it.
I do not advocate going to Hawaii (or anywhere else) and spending an entire day in the sun and getting badly burned. Use common sense. But we have never been a fan of chemicals. We take to the sun carefully and in moderation – as we do all things in life. This has worked well for our entire life.
Hi Colleen!
Thank you.
Aloha.
And it will continue to work well until it doesn’t and you develop skin cancer. You don’t NEED sun produced ultraviolet light to produce Vitamin D. You can buy supplements for a few pennies a day.
ALL SUN EXPOSURE INCREASES YOUR RISK OF SKIN CANCER. Moderation merely adds years to the time until you develop skin cancer. There is more skin cancer than ALL OTHER KINDS OF CANCER ADDED TOGETHER!!
There is NO HEALTHY TAN. ALL UV EXPOSURE ADDS TO YOUR LIFETIME RISK OF SKIN CANCER.
I don’t understand, if it’s so bad for the ecosystem in Hawaii’s ocean waters, why allow it to continue for 2 and a half more years?! I could see 6 months to allow retailers to sell out product, or send it back to the manufacturer, but 2 more years on top of that??? It’s rediculous, and makes no sense to wait that long. That’s government at its finest for you…
Please encourage people to forego the sunscreen and just wear SPF rated long sleeve rashguards or water shirts.
Before we visited Hawaii we researched what sunscreen to bring. We wanted to make sure whatever we got was environmentally safe.
I also burn very easily and wanted to make sure I was protected. I also bought a beach cover up and hat.
We bought Kiss My Face spf 30. It was wonderful. It may be pricey but worth it. We were there for 10 days and in the sun a lot and I never burned.
I hope more people will buy environmentally safe sunscreens sooner then when the law takes effect, as we noticed significant bleaching of the coral while snorkeling in spots all over the Big Island.
How does Sun Bum brand compare?
On inbound flights and cruise ship shore excursions, the carriers should offer informative flyers to tourists in many languages. Tourists might be bringing in banned sunscreens. Airport lobbies could have surrender bins – bin attendants (volunteers) could perhaps provide coupons to save money on Safe Sunscreen brands supplied by the manufacturers.
The Kiss My Face Organics sunscreen that you have linked to contains 7.5% Octinoxate so would not work for the new Hawaiian sunscreen law.
Hi and Mahalo for the story, I love you guy’s!
I use and always have used Hawaiian Tropic dark tanning oil, it does not contain either of those ingredients, however the Hawaiian Tropic oil spray 4 spf uva/uvb contains the Oxybenzone 2.0% along with Avobenzone 2.8% and Octocrylene 2.2% all under medicinal ingredients …Mahalo Rhonda I will look for Planet Sun up here in Calgary and if I can’t find it here, well I’m just gonna have to move back home to the Islands…
Mahalo’s and Aloha to everyone
Best aloha and mahalo John!
“Oxybenzone may also cause hormonal disruptions and cell damage itself, and could be cancer causing. More on this is likely to come to the forefront based on research soon.” Hmmm, well, what that says is there is no evidence yet of those results. But we DO know that sun exposure does cause skin cancer, do effective protection is crucial.
You basically want to look for a sunscreen that is zinc oxide based. There is some question as to the safety of titanium dioxide.
What’s happening with the floods on Kauai?
A few years ago, I ran out of sunscreen on a trip to Oahu and I bought a bottle of Blue Lizard Australian Sunscreen, Sensitive, SPF 30+ at Longs after reading EWG reviews. It turned my skin white and I looked like a Kabuki actor until it was absorbed but it worked very well. Since then, I buy two of the 8.75 oz bottles at the start of every year to protect my skin on my almost-daily 3 hour bike rides here in Tennessee.
Bravo for Hawaiian Airlines!!! Just FYI, some of the sunscreens listed in the article above, although highly rated by EWG, contain octinoxate which is not reef-safe.
I have used Coppertone’s Pure and Simple Kids lotion for a few years. It is Zinc Oxide based and works well.
Hi Glenn.
EWG says that there are some issues with that product. That a reason we did not list it.
Aloha.
Hello,
I noticed all the sunsceens you have listed are spf 30. We live on the east coast and use 70 and above. We will be in Hawaii in May and am wondering about which sunscreen to buy. Is there a difference in these brands verses regular brands ratings?
I have learned many things from your emails.
Thank you
Hi Jay.
You might want to research SPF as the numbers may mean very little above a certain point. We just wanted to present brands that had multiple products with the best ratings from purchasers and the highest safety.
Aloha.
ANy dermatologist will tell you to use a product with zinc oxide. There are now products with an invisible form of it. I lived in Florida for 26 years and you do what you have to do. I put on sunscreen every morning before I go out, and repeat it every three or four hours.
So Coppertone Banana Boat and Neutrogena are all bad?
Hi Renj.
Those all scored worse on the EWG list of sunscreens. The ones we listed all had the highest ratings.
Aloha.
I’m a big fan of Planet Sun sunscreen… Buy Hawaiian!
I have always loved Planet Sun sunscreen and suncare, which I learned about from the owner who started the company on Oahu. They are a small company that cares about people’s health and the environment. Their products have never contained Oxybenzone, and the products are geared towards active lifestyles…triathletes, swimmers, cyclists, surfers. Great product that works and is safe for our reefs. It is available online and at just about any bike/running/swimming/surf shop on all the Hawaiian islands.
I see no mention of rash guards in this posting. While playing in the water or snorkeling, they are more effective than the best sunscreen and have zero impact on the marine environment.
Always take at least two with you so you’ll always have a dry one available
How about a summary of 10 to buy, 10 to avoid of commonly available sunscreens? Must use sunscreen in Hawaii always myself. Thanks much
Mahalo for the useful article. I have been using Australian Gold Botanical Sunscreen 50 spf with 4% titanium dioxide and 4% zinc oxide for the last week to good effect.