What sunscreen is allowed in Hawaii?

What the Hawaii law actually bans

The bottom line: the law restricts two UV filters, oxybenzone and octinoxate, and doesn't name others. It targets sale and distribution in the state. It is not a permission slip for every other product.

The sale and distribution ban took effect January 1, 2021. Some sources note that prescription access to banned-ingredient sunscreens exists in certain jurisdictions, but sunscreens are regulated as over-the-counter drugs, so the practical value for everyday shoppers is unclear. We could not verify Maui's specific rules, and we did not retrieve the statute text itself, so check Act 104 (SB 2571) before making a business or purchasing decision.

Can visitors bring their sunscreen?

The bottom line: yes, these products can generally be brought in while traveling or bought online, even though the ban limits sales inside the state. A 2019 survey of 162 adults found many respondents misunderstood both points, including whether buying online was illegal. Sunscreen use survey

What the reef evidence actually shows

The bottom line: the case that oxybenzone harms coral is strong in the lab and thin in the field. That's the honest read, and it's why the ban is contested.

Lab estimates put lethal concentrations for coral cells and oxybenzone between 8 and 340 parts per billion in vitro. Measured Hawaiian seawater ranged from 0.8 to 19.2 ppb, which falls in the low-toxicity range. A separate lab study found bleaching and death at 33 to 50 parts per million, far above what's in the water. Skin Cancer Foundation overview

Critics point out that many lab studies used unrealistically high concentrations, and the evidence that these filters threaten reefs under real conditions is considered insufficient. Roughly 14,000 tons of sunscreen wash off tourist reefs each year, but the National Academies review notes there is little environmental data on many UV filters. National Academies review

On human health, a systematic review found systemic oxybenzone showed no adverse effect on fertility, female reproductive hormones, fetal growth, or neurodevelopment. It did report associations with thyroid hormone, testosterone, kidney function, and pubertal timing that need validation. We found no long-term human trial on exposure from sunscreen use. Systematic review of banned filters

The sun protection tradeoff

The bottom line: removing oxybenzone may cost you some protection, and the evidence on whether the ban changes behavior is limited. Opponents argue it could reduce sunscreen use and raise skin cancer risk.

Oxybenzone is one of the few filters that blocks most UVA and UVB, which is why losing it matters. The survey reports the ban limits choice, which may reduce use. We found no trial measuring whether the ban changes skin cancer outcomes, so that concern remains a reasoned worry rather than a measured result. Sunscreen use survey

What to buy: mineral filters and reef-safe labels

The bottom line: zinc oxide and titanium dioxide are the simplest choice, and a 'reef safe' claim on the label is not a guarantee.

FDA's 2021 proposed order found sufficient safety data to support zinc oxide and titanium dioxide at up to 25% as generally recognized as safe and effective. It's a proposal, not a final rule, and final orders cannot take effect sooner than one year after issuance. FDA questions and answers

NOAA's list of eight reef-toxic chemicals is broader than Hawaii's law, which covers only two filters. A consumer overview lists octocrylene and avobenzone as banned in Hawaii, but that conflicts with the other sources, so we didn't rely on it. For the broader buying checklist, see our sunscreen basics guide.