Sunscreen Reviewed Jul 5, 2026

Hawaiian Tropic "Reef Friendly" Sunscreen

Marketed "reef friendly" while under active greenwashing litigation over its chemical filters.

Lawsuit · 2025

ACCC "reef friendly" greenwashing case

On July 1, 2025 Australia's ACCC instituted Federal Court proceedings against Edgewell alleging the "reef friendly" claim is misleading because the sunscreens contained one or more of octocrylene, homosalate, 4-MBC (enzacamene), and avobenzone. Active.

Source →

Our take

Why It’s on Our Radar

We don't recommend it. A "reef friendly" label on a chemical-filter formula that is the subject of active greenwashing litigation — the mineral sunscreens in our picks are the honest version of that claim.

What's inside

Ingredients & Safety

Octocrylene, homosalate, and avobenzone (oxybenzone on some SKUs) — the very filters at issue in the "reef friendly" lawsuits.

Worth a closer look — 6 ingredients we flag:

Avobenzone 3% — sometimes listed as Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane

The main UVA chemical filter; effective but photo-unstable unless stabilized; FDA lists it as needing more safety data.

Homosalate 10% — sometimes listed as Homomenthyl Salicylate

UVB chemical filter the EU restricts to 7.34% in face products over endocrine questions; FDA says more data are needed.

Octisalate 5% — sometimes listed as Ethylhexyl Salicylate

UVB filter that also stabilizes avobenzone; generally considered lower-risk but not yet FDA GRASE-confirmed.

Octocrylene 3% — sometimes listed as Octocrilene

UVB/UVA filter that can slowly degrade into trace benzophenone over time; EU allows up to 10% and FDA seeks more safety data.

Oxybenzone 4% — sometimes listed as Benzophenone-3

Heavily skin-absorbed UV filter with hormone-disruption questions and reef harm; banned in Hawaii/Key West, EU-restricted, and FDA seeks more data.

Fragrance — sometimes listed as Parfum

Undisclosed scent blend that is a common allergen and irritant; choose fragrance-free for sensitive or reactive skin.

Ingredient List Reviewed

Safe Watch Caution
  • Avobenzone 3%
  • Homosalate 10%
  • Octisalate 5%
  • Octocrylene 3%
  • Oxybenzone 4%
  • Fragrance also listed as Parfum, Perfume Watch

Formula scope: the disclosed ingredient list captured for this review. Formulas can differ by product, scent, country, and date; compare the current package with this list before deciding.

Want another top-tier option? Stream2Sea in Sunscreen & Sun Care currently meets our top criteria. Review its formula scope and cited records before deciding.

Who owns it

Ownership & Independence

Hawaiian Tropic is owned by Edgewell Personal Care.

Where to buy

Key Products

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