New regulations. Which products are safest? Get ready for summer with our Hawaii sunscreen safety info.
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.
Comments are closed.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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!?!?!
Oh I can’t wait for the “your taking my freedom comments by making me use surf safe tan lotion. I just purchased mine
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.
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”.
We like Absolutely Natural sunscreen.
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!
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!👍
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.
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!
OZ – “Reef Friendly” should mean Hawaii acceptable.
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
Hi Greg.
Thanks. We appreciate the feedback on reef sale labeled sunscreens.
Aloha
I use Alba Botanical sunscreens and they are free of the banned ingredients. Yay!
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
Sheryl B…Two votes for Blue Lizard!!!
I am a pharmacist and I always recommend and use Blue Lizard
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.
Hi Andee.
Thanks for that feedback from your recent Maui vacation.
Aloha.
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.