Our take
Why We Trust This Brand
Kokua earns a 9 for the strongest raw formula on paper: 25% non-nano zinc oxide, no chemical filters, fragrance-free, and a reef-safe base rich in Hawaiian antioxidants. It is a genuinely independent, founder-run Hawaii brand. It falls just short of a 10 because we found no third-party certification (EWG Verified / Made SAFE) to corroborate the label, and it is premium-priced. We could not pin down the exact founding year or headquarters city, so treat those as approximate.
What's inside
Ingredients & Safety
Active is 25% non-nano zinc oxide, the highest in this group, with no chemical UV filters and no added fragrance. The base blends aloe, coconut-derived emollients and Hawaiian botanicals (macadamia and kukui nut oils, spirulina); the brand states it is free of parabens, phthalates, fragrance, phenoxyethanol and 40+ reef-harming ingredients.
Certifications
We read every line on this label. Nothing here is on our watch or caution list — no synthetic fragrance, no flagged chemicals.
Full Ingredient List
- Non-Nano Zinc Oxide 25%
- Water also listed as Aqua, Purified Water
- Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice also listed as Aloe Vera
- Macadamia Ternifolia Seed Oil (Hawaiian)
- Aleurites Moluccana (Kukui) Seed Oil
- Hawaiian Spirulina
- Fragrance-Free
Who owns it
Ownership & Independence
Kokua Sun Care was created in Hawaii by co-founders Robin and Tatyana; Robin is described as a lawyer active in reef-safety education and advocacy. It presents as an independent, founder/family-owned company with no indication of outside investors or acquisition, though we could not locate formal filings.
Where to buy
Key Products
- Hawaiian Natural Zinc Sunscreen SPF 50 View on Amazon →
- SPF 30 Tinted Hawaiian Natural Zinc Sunscreen View on Amazon →
- SPF 50 Baby / Sensitive View on Amazon →
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