Why Hawaii Banned Oxybenzone and Octinoxate: Inside Act 104
Exactly which sunscreens you can legally buy in Hawaii — and why the state restricted two specific chemicals first.
Hawaii's Act 104 (SB 2571), signed in 2018, prohibits the sale and distribution of sunscreens containing oxybenzone and octinoxate, effective January 1, 2021 — the first such statewide ban in the world.
Federal scientists at NOAA note that certain sunscreen chemicals, including oxybenzone, have been studied for their potential effects on coral, which informed Hawaii's decision to restrict these specific ingredients.
Questions we get a lot
What does Hawaii's sunscreen ban actually cover?
Hawaii's Act 104, signed in 2018, prohibits the sale and distribution of sunscreens containing oxybenzone and octinoxate, effective January 1, 2021. It was the first statewide ban of its kind in the world and targets these two specific chemicals rather than all chemical sunscreens.
Why were oxybenzone and octinoxate singled out?
These two UV-filter chemicals have been studied for their potential to harm coral reefs and marine ecosystems. NOAA notes that sunscreen chemicals such as oxybenzone can affect corals, which is part of the scientific context behind Hawaii's law.
Can I still use chemical sunscreen in Hawaii?
The statewide law only bans the sale and distribution of products containing oxybenzone and octinoxate; other chemical sunscreens remain legal statewide. Note that some counties, such as Maui, have stricter mineral-only rules, so check local regulations before you travel.
r/travel: 'Is every chemical sunscreen banned in Hawaii, or just oxybenzone and octinoxate?'