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113 thoughts on “Hawaii Sunscreen Safety Updates + Products You Picked”

  1. Michael D

    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.

  3. Andy M

    I miss the Hawaiian Tropic stuff that smelled like coconut and was basically cooking oil for your skin🤣

    1. BARBARA M

      OH, those college days up on the roof with the aluminum foil covered cardboard and the bottle of Hawaiian Tropic!

  4. BARBARA M

    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!

  5. Dale R

    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

  6. Ann t

    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.

    1. Karen G

      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

  7. Sheila H

    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.

  9. Kathy

    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.

    1. Ron G

      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!

  10. Emily

    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!!

    1. Beat of Hawaii

      Hi Emily.

      Thank you. Honestly we aren’t sure. One thing for sure, you have few choices for where to buy. Sorry.

      Aloha.

    2. Vicki H

      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. 🙂

    3. Janel B.

      The article also said that TSA allows full size sunscreen now, so you can buy ahead and keep in the carry on.

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