Hawaiian Tropic "Reef Friendly" Sunscreen Review: Ingredients & Ownership

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

Watch 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.

Watch 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.

Watch Octisalate 5% (sometimes listed as Ethylhexyl Salicylate) UVB filter that also stabilizes avobenzone; generally considered lower-risk but not yet FDA GRASE-confirmed.

Watch 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.

Caution 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.

Watch 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

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.

Ownership record Acquired

Founded: 1969
Headquarters: Shelton, CT
Control: Owned by Edgewell Personal Care

Where to buy

Key Products

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Hawaiian Tropic "Reef Friendly" Sunscreen