We follow TSA on Twitter. That’s a good thing since we have not seen this reported. Boy, we were very surprised to read that they had just reversed a ruling that we wrote about just two days ago.
Full-size Sunscreens are NOT OK per TSA revision.
New TSA guidelines went into effect last week when they announced that starting April 7, sunscreens became part of the TSA list of medically approved items. That meant that full-size containers were to have been permitted in your carry-on.
“TSA allows larger amounts of medically necessary liquids, gels, and aerosols in reasonable quantities for your trip, but you must declare them to security officers at the checkpoint for inspection.”
Yesterday TSA reversed their decision stating:
“Our website incorrectly reported that sunscreen containers larger than 3.4 oz were allowed in carry-on bags if medically necessary. That error has been corrected. Sunscreen in carry-on bags must be 3.4 oz or less. Larger quantities should be placed in checked bags.”
Fascinating comments about which sunscreens you pick and why.
Maria addressed physical sunblocks, saying: “I have been using mineral-based sunscreen for the past several years. If you’re confused about what to use, then look at the active ingredients. If the active ingredients are titanium dioxide and/or zinc oxide, then it’s OK. Some of the Banana Boat products are mineral-based, and that’s what we use. I’ve always worn a T-shirt when I snorkeled, and I started wearing swim leggings a couple of years ago, so now I need very little sunscreen.
Debbie addressed conflicting sunscreen ratings and SPF, adding, “You said these have a variety of spfs but I only found 30 and 50. I only wear 70 or above… I always wear a hat, sunglasses, and rash guard and use an umbrella but the reflection from the water still causes problems. Also Consumer Reports gives all the ones you mentioned average or bad ratings.This is very concerning.
Regular commenter Barbara concurred with many others about this one product, saying: “Two votes for Blue Lizard!!” Kaci concurred, “I am a pharmacist and I always recommend and use Blue Lizard. That’s one we have on hand ourselves.
Kathy added an interesting comment, “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.”
Lastly Gene said, “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.”
From our last update:
Hawaii is still somewhat ahead of the curve and has banned sunscreens that can damage our marine environment and coral reefs. And of course our health. In the first such move of a U.S. state, Hawaii prevents the sale and distribution of sunscreens containing oxybenzone and octinoxate. These chemicals are found in literally thousands of sunscreens. The new law became effective on January 1, 2021.
“Our natural environment is fragile, and our own interaction with the earth can have lasting impacts…. This new law is just one step toward protecting the health and resiliency of Hawaii’s coral reefs.” — Governor David Ige.
World beaches enacting sunscreen bans
US Virgin Islands. A ban on chemical sunscreens and outlawing of imports and sales of products containing oxybenzone and octinoxate went into effect last year.
Bonaire. The island will ban the sale of chemical sunscreens in 2021.
Key West, Florida. Ban effective January 2021, stores cannot sell sunscreens containing reef-damaging chemicals. That was, however, struck down by a subsequent statewide law.
Palau. This was the first country to enact a sunscreen ban. It went into effect in 2020.
Aruba. Effective 2020, sunscreens containing oxybenzone have been prohibited.
Oxybenzone and coral reefs
In addition to health safety, one of the other huge issues is that a significant amount of sunscreen applied to your skin is released into the water. Over time, with Hawaii’s millions of visitors, voluminous amounts of sunscreen end up in our coral reefs. This causes coral damage, including bleaching, DNA injury, starvation, and reproductive and development issues. Reefs are an integral part of our marine ecosystem and are essential to the environment. According to NOAA, “coral reefs buffer adjacent shorelines from wave action and prevent erosion, property damage and loss of life.”
There are many other excellent choices for sunscreens that are safer both for you and for our precious environment. These are based on physical rather than chemical sun barriers.
How effective is your Hawaiian sunscreen?
We’ve been writing about staying safe under the Hawaii sun for more than 10 years. As always, your best protection is a shirt, hat, and proper sunglasses. But beyond that, here’s how to stay covered in the islands and elsewhere.
Safer and effective alternatives in Hawaiian sunscreen
Many new safer products are available compared with even a couple of years ago. Read on for some of the highest-rated sunscreen products that also feature low toxicity to you and the environment. These products still provide great sunburn (and questionable skin cancer) prevention caused by UVA and UVB exposure while not injuring Hawaii’s coral reefs.
The following families of products are among the safest and most effective (according to EWG) and the highest rated by consumers. They list 183 recreational sunscreens which meet EWG’s criteria. We’d love to hear your other suggestions and sources:
Thinksport Sunscreens (various SPF)
Kiss My Face Organics Sunscreens
Badger Sunscreens (various SPF) (Used by Beat of Hawaii editors)
JAMA study revealed new issues with chemical sunscreens.
Researchers have said that chemical sunscreens may be far more dangerous than previously revealed and that children maybe even more at risk from these chemicals than adults. A study in the medical journal JAMA revealed that common sunscreen products containing avobenzone, oxybenzone, ecamsule, and octocrylene need much more research. Blood concentration of these chemicals has for the first time been studied and found after just one day’s use. Serum levels rise with continued use and following application. It is questionable whether these products can be “generally regarded as safe and effective, ” which is FDA’s safety measure.
According to the study, “oxybenzone… has been found in human breast milk (and) in amniotic fluid, urine, and blood… Some studies… have raised questions about the potential for oxybenzone to affect endocrine activity.” Regarding Oxybenzone, the Environmental Working Group previously said CDC: “has detected oxybenzone in more than 96 percent of the American population… Participants who reported using sunscreen have higher oxybenzone exposures… Oxybenzone can cause allergic skin reactions and may disrupt hormones.”
What products have worked best for you?
Article updated 4/15/21.
Beat of Hawaii © photo on Oahu.
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Julie H says
I like that there is now a ban on damaging sunscreens but how will it be enforced? Are they going to search your luggage at the airport? Obtain a search warrant to enter your premises to make sure you are in compliance? Force you to empty your bag on the beach? I put sunscreen on in my room before I ever go out so how will anyone know what I am using? Or is this just that there will be no sales of damaging sunscreens in the state? Just curious.
Debbie A says
I use kokua sun care. Its Hawaiian natural zinc reef safe sunscreen. Ut also has 7 hawaiian grown antioxidant ingredients. I love it and support local hawaii products!
Jerry says
I totally agree with Frank, spray sunscreens are useless, most of it goes anywhere else but your body, and I for one am getting tired of being hit by stray spray.
Lynn S says
I’m very sad to find coral-bleaching sunscreens on the shelves in Hawaii.
Tim M. says
The ban on certain sunscreens is a god thing not only for the environment but for yourself as well. My suggestion is to skip packing your sunscreen (unless it’s a Rx) and just purchase a small amount in Hawaii (we’ve done this for over 20 years). Plenty of places to purchase I.e. ABC stores, Foodland , various drug stores, etc, etc!
Julieta d. says
During one of our return trips to the Big Island, we wondered what was the big fuss at the Farmer’s Market and a sunscreen display with old regular sunscreens containers and stats next to them about damage being caused to reefs overall. The company showing this display was Little Hands, a Hawaii owned and made mineral sun protection product. If you traded your existing sunscreen they’d give you a discount to try their sunscreen. We tried it and it was amazing. They have face stick, a body/face sunscreen and an after sun salve. Their website is littlehandshawaii.com they also sell it at some stores. Great sunscreen and it’s ocean, reef and keiki safe. We love it and hope you give it a try and like it too.
Thank you as well for sharing alternatives and options to choose from.
Beat of Hawaii says
Hi Julieta.
Thanks for sharing that! We hadn’t heard of it before.
Aloha.
DIANA B says
We use very little sunscreen any more because we just cover up. Columbia and Izod make shirts that have a 40-50 UPF so if we wear those when out sightseeing or snorkeling nothing else is needed. Columbia also makes other clothing with the same UPF
Glenn W says
I have been using mineral based sunscreens for well over 10 years now after I found out that the EU, and Australia banned oxybenzone because of it’s cancer causing affect. Mexican Park authorities also banned the use of oxybenzone based sunscreens it’s it State and National where water activities took place.10 years later only Hawaii has the sense to do the same. Note almost all major sunscreen producers in the US have EU formulae’s ready to make.
This is the website that I have found that tests and ranks sunscreens for safety and effectiveness for a long time. It is the Environmental Working Group. http://www.ewg.org/sunscreen/
Well worth checking out. It will be updated for 2021 shortly.
BARBARA M says
GENE… Yes, Blue Lizard Face does go on white! But it absorbs very very quickly so if it had the opportunity to make you look “kabuki”(!!!), you probably used too much. You don’t use very much Blue Lizard – certainly not as much as you would other sunscreens.
DEBBIE… I’ve had numerous dermatologists tell me that anything over 50 is a waste of $$$ – in fact, some will tell you anything over 30 is purely psychological prevention. But do as your dermatologist tells you. I never went to medical school!
Lara S. says
I swear by the sunscreens (and everything else!) from Stream2Sea – top-rated, reef-safe, created by a female outdoor enthusiast/cosmetic chemist.
Jennifer S. says
We have been on the Big Island for 6 weeks and agree with the others about confusion. We tried comparing EWG and Consumer Reports and were left wondering how to make sense of the totally contradicting information. Ultimately, we went with SuperGoop.
ewg.org/sunscreen/about-the-sunscreens/?search=supergoop
Not all products in their line got great scores on EWG but a few were outstanding. We simply love the “Unseen” for face. It’s not greasy, doesn’t feel like spreading spackle and is beard and eyebrow friendly (haha).
I love using a spray for ease of application but didn’t try the Alba that Costco sells. I saw a lot of it being used so may be worth a try.
Maria S says
I wish more tropical islands and other locations with coral reefs would prohibit reef-unfriendly sunscreens. My husband and I have been using mineral-based sunscreen for the past several years. If you’re confused about what to use, then look at the active ingredients. If the active ingredients are titanium dioxide and/or zinc oxide, then it’s OK. Some of the Banana Boat products are mineral-based, and that’s what we use. I’ve always worn a T-shirt when I snorkeled, and I started wearing swim leggings a couple of years ago, so now I need very little sunscreen.
Frank P. says
Now if we can get the spray sunscreens banned…
I know they are more convenient, particularly for wriggling kids, but Hawaii can be a windy place. Step back 10′ and watch someone spray on sunscreen at the beach. A good deal of it just blows away, onto other people, or into the water. Slather on the zinc at regular intervals (Don’t be skimpy with it. I use a putty knife.) and you’re good to go. Wear the biggest hat that won’t blow off, long sleeves, and you’re even better off.
Jerry says
I totally agree with Frank, spray sunscreens are useless, most of it goes anywhere else but your body, and I for one am getting tired of being hit by stray spray.
BARBARA M says
JERRY and FRANK… I always laugh at the pathetic scene of a tourist spraying themselves all over the place – all over the place but on themselves! Doesn’t the husband, wife, mother, father, etc who’s not doing the spraying see what’s going on!?!?!
Paul says
Oh I can’t wait for the “your taking my freedom comments by making me use surf safe tan lotion. I just purchased mine
Debbie N says
You said these have a variety of spfs but I only found 30 and 50. I only wear 70 or above. I am very fair skinned and burn easily. Yes I always wear a hat, sunglasses, and rash guard and use an umbrella but the reflection from the water still causes problems. Also Consumer Reports gives all the ones you mentioned average or bad ratings.This is very concerning.
BARBARA M says
DEBBIE N… I’d rather take the recommendation of a licensed dermatologist than Consumer Reports. (In my case, three dermatologists from three different practices.) Plus many of the ones CR recommends are not “reef safe”.
Diane F says
We like Absolutely Natural sunscreen.
BARBARA M says
DIANE F… Absolutely Natural is what they sold at the Marriott for years. Then they stopped. Absolutely Natural opened a little shop in Harbor Mall. They they closed. We could only get it online and that time when it didn’t arrive on time (my fault, not theirs), was when I used Sun Bum and got a melanoma. I didn’t know AN was still around. It’s great stuff!
D says
Yes, they sell it at Sheraton in Kaanapali and at Grand Wailea kiosk. You can also buy on Amazon. Love the Rose Hip lotion for after sunning and their Organic Beauty Oil and Beauty Cream/Lotion is to die for!👍
oz says
If my sunscreen says ‘reef friendly’ does that mean it’s allowed in Hawaii? I’m looking at Alba Botanica Hawaiian Sunscreen broad spectrum SPF 45 Green Tea.
Kathleen P says
No, apparently it does not meet the standards. We bought that and took on a snorkel cruise December 2020 and the guides politely told us that is false advertising and it is not free of whatever ingredient that was harmful. I hope the ABC store is now carrying only approved sunscreens!
BARBARA M says
OZ – “Reef Friendly” should mean Hawaii acceptable.
Greg H says
Don’t be fooled by “reef safe” label. We have found a few that state they are but reading the active ingredients they proved not to be. Read the active ingredients to be sure. Lotions are not hairy man friendly, found Godess Garden , all mineral spray, spf 30 that works well. This product must be rubbed in to be effective, unlike some that sit on your skin like lacquer. Another subject are the rip off rental car prices. My son in law booked a mini van for August and got a great deal , at OGG through National, usually a premium priced agency, 14 days for $750 with car seats for the kids. We are reasoning that they will be back to normal inventory by then and reasonable pricing. Our 14 day car in mid May on Maui is a whooping $1400 . Oh well at least we have one.
Thanks for all you guys do, the updates are priceless!!
Mahalo
Beat of Hawaii says
Hi Greg.
Thanks. We appreciate the feedback on reef sale labeled sunscreens.
Aloha
Lisa C says
I use Alba Botanical sunscreens and they are free of the banned ingredients. Yay!
Sheryl B says
My dermatologist recommended this sunscreen for me. I am very fair complected so I burn very easily. This really worked well the last time we were in Hawaii and is reef safe. bluelizardsunscreen.com/pages/about-us
Barbara M says
Sheryl B…Two votes for Blue Lizard!!!
Kaci says
I am a pharmacist and I always recommend and use Blue Lizard
Andee says
Thank you for this list! My husband and I were in Maui in February and were advised at the snorkel store that stores on the islands were allowed to continue selling the banned sunscreens until they sold them out so there were still lots of the damaging options on the shelves of grocery stores. The confusing part was trying to determine which ones were the safe ones and which ones were not. Ultimately we just used our sunglasses, hats, and rash guards when under the intense sun. Our other solution was our old stand-by when we visit the islands and just limit our exposure to sun during the hours of 11:00and 3:00. With these options we managed to spend plenty of time in the water without sunscreen and without getting burned the week we were there.
Beat of Hawaii says
Hi Andee.
Thanks for that feedback from your recent Maui vacation.
Aloha.
Amy says
Humans are able to modify their behavior to prevent sun damage and skin cancer. Sealife can’t protect itself from all the damage we do to it, so we should make any changes we can to prevent further harm.