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When it comes time to pack for a beach vacation, sunscreen is at the top of the list along with your favorite swimsuit, sunglasses and hat. However, depending on where you’re headed, you’ll want to inspect that sunscreen label closely. Many island vacation destinations have sunscreen regulations in place to protect local oceans from ingredients that could potentially affect coral reefs and other marine life. To make sure you’re prepared to stay safe in the sun and comply with local laws, we’ve got the lowdown on everything you need to know, including:
In recent years, a number of island communities have passed laws to limit or ban the use of sunscreens with certain chemical UV blockers that could be potentially harmful to coral reefs and other marine life.
In 2019, the U.S. Virgin Islands banned the sale of sunscreens with octinoxate and oxybenzone, two popular UV filters used in many sunscreen formulas. In 2021, the state of Hawaii and Florida beach destination Key West banned both the use and sale of sunscreens containing octinoxate and oxybenzone. In response to these bans, many sunscreen brands started labeling their octinoxate- and oxybenzone-free formulas as “reef-safe sunscreen.”
In 2022, two counties in Hawaii went a step further by banning all sunscreens with chemical blockers—not only octinoxate and oxybenzone but also octocrylene, avobenzone and homosalate. These counties, Hawaii County and Maui County, together comprise the Big Island of Hawaii as well as Maui, Molokai and Lanai. In these areas, only mineral-based sunscreens (also called physical sunscreens) that use zinc oxide and titanium dioxide to filter UV rays can be used and sold.
To comply with local laws, the best sunscreen for Hawaii, Key West or the U.S. Virgin Islands is a physical sunscreen with mineral ingredients such as zinc oxide and titanium dioxide that is also free of chemical UV filters. These eight sunscreens below have all-mineral formulas that comply with local regulations in all of the aforementioned island locations. “They also provide broad-spectrum coverage, which means they will help protect your skin from the sun’s two types of UV rays, UVA and UVB, which can cause visible signs of aging and sunburn, respectively,” says board-certified dermatologist Dr. Joel Schlessinger.
A great body sunscreen for Hawaii and Key West, this hydrating lotion formula provides broad-spectrum protection with a blend of two mineral filters, 7% zinc oxide and 3% titanium dioxide. With 80-minute water resistance, it’s the perfect protection for a day of swimming, snorkeling or water sports at the beach. It’s made with skin-nourishing organic ingredients such as aloe, coconut oil and jojoba seed oil. Plus, this formula is entirely fragrance-free.
Known for its tinted face sunscreens with finishes ranging from glowy to matte, Colorescience recently debuted this untinted formula with 10% zinc oxide and—as the name describes—a no-show, sheer finish on most skin tones. It provides forty minutes of water resistance and broad-spectrum protection against both UVA and UVB rays. The addition of chamomile extract and allantoin, two skin-soothing ingredients, also make it a great sunscreen for Hawaii if you have sensitive skin.
If you love a good two-for-one product, you’ll want to pack this sunscreen for Hawaii. A combination sunscreen and face primer, this formula has a medium tint and a matte finish that you can wear alone or under makeup. Thanks to 3% zinc oxide and 8% titanium dioxide, it helps protect your skin from the sun’s aging UVA rays and burning UVB rays, so you can enjoy the beach without risking damage to your skin.
Another fantastic sunscreen for Hawaii if you prefer a tinted face sunscreen, this all-mineral formula disguises imperfections with a subtle universal tint made from translucent color spheres. With a lightweight fluid texture and broad-spectrum protection from 5% zinc oxide and 6% titanium dioxide, it dries to a natural finish without a white cast. It’s also free of fragrance and provides up to forty minutes of water resistance for your time in and around the water.
If you prefer the ease of a spray sunscreen, you may have noticed all-mineral sun protection sprays are hard to find.. This sunscreen uses bag-on-valve technology to replace conventional chemical propellants, so you can more easily apply sunscreen on those hard-to-reach spots.. “This formula uses zinc oxide to provide its broad-spectrum protection, so while it sprays on white, it rubs in to a more sheer finish,” Dr. Schlessinger says.
Looking for reef-safe sunscreen for Hawaii that you can wear on both your face and body? This formula from French brand Avene is suitable for all skin types, especially sensitive skin. It’s even approved by the National Eczema Association. Zinc oxide (11%) provides broad-spectrum UV protection while chamomile extract and allantoin help soothe skin and minimize irritation.
One of Barcelona-based skin care brand ISDIN’s bestsellers, this face sunscreen has a silky, lightweight texture that absorbs quickly into skin and wears well under makeup. It provides broad-spectrum protection with 11% zinc oxide and is water-resistant up to forty minutes. It also provides anti-aging benefits as well by boosting your skin’s natural defenses with vitamin E and DNA Repairsomes, a patented ingredient that works to repair sun damage when exposed to light thanks to photolyase, an enzyme derived from marine plankton.
If you prefer to pack light on vacation, multitasking skin care products can be a lifesaver. This facial moisturizer combines the powerful protection of a broad-spectrum sunscreen with the anti-aging benefits of a day cream. It features 2% titanium dioxide and 15% zinc oxide for UV protection, squalane to boost moisture retention and ginger root extract to help improve uneven skin tone and dark spots. You can choose between tinted and untinted formulas depending on your preference.
Now that you’re set with the best sunscreen for Hawaii and Key West, it’s a good idea to make sure your sunscreen hasn’t expired. You can learn more about the shelf life of sunscreen on the LovelySkin Blog.
Aaron serves as Editor at LovelySkin. Since graduating from the University of Nebraska at Omaha in 2016 with degrees in Creative Writing and English, he has immersed himself in the beauty industry. When he’s not writing about the latest beauty trends, he spends time cuddling his dogs, scouring antique stores, playing tennis and hiking.
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