Headed to Hawaii? Here's the Sunscreen You Can Legally Bring
Don't get caught with banned filters at the airport.
Surveys found ~75% of Hawaii beachgoers knew about reef harm, yet about a third still used banned chemicals.
Hawaii banned the sale of oxybenzone and octinoxate sunscreens effective January 1, 2021.
Questions we get a lot
Which sunscreen ingredients harm coral reefs?
Research has focused on oxybenzone and octinoxate, which some studies and jurisdictions link to coral harm; Hawaii banned their sale in sunscreens. The science is still developing, but travelers concerned about reefs often avoid those two filters and favor mineral formulas.
What sunscreen can I bring to Hawaii?
Hawaii bans the sale of sunscreens containing oxybenzone and octinoxate, so bring a product without those filters — many visitors choose non-nano mineral (zinc oxide/titanium dioxide) formulas. Rash guards and shade further reduce how much sunscreen enters the water.
Is mineral sunscreen better for the ocean?
Mineral filters are often marketed as the reef-friendlier choice, and many travelers prefer non-nano zinc or titanium. But 'reef-safe' isn't regulated and the research is ongoing, so the most reliable step is reducing total sunscreen in the water with UV-protective clothing and shade.
r/SkincareScience: 'Does oxybenzone really damage coral reefs?'