Which Sunscreens Are Banned in Hawaii? State and County Rules Explained
Hawaii bans the sale of sunscreens with oxybenzone or octinoxate, and Maui County and Hawaii County go further with mineral-only rules. What's allowed, where, and how to choose a compliant sunscreen.
Hawaii has one statewide sunscreen law and stricter rules in two counties. The short answer: statewide, stores can't sell sunscreen containing oxybenzone or octinoxate without a prescription. On Maui, only mineral sunscreens (zinc oxide or titanium dioxide) may be sold or used, and on the Big Island only mineral sunscreens may be sold.
The rules at a glance
| Where | What's restricted | Since | Covers use? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Statewide | Sale of sunscreen with oxybenzone or octinoxate, unless prescribed (HRS 342D-21) | January 1, 2021 | No, sale and distribution only |
| Maui County | Sale, distribution and use of any non-mineral sunscreen, unless prescribed (Maui County) | October 1, 2022 | Yes |
| Hawaii County (Big Island) | Sale and distribution of non-mineral sunscreen, unless prescribed (Ordinance text) | December 1, 2022 | No, sale only |
"Mineral" in the county rules means sunscreens whose only active ingredients are zinc oxide and titanium dioxide.
The statewide law
Act 104, passed in 2018, made it unlawful from January 1, 2021 to sell, offer for sale or distribute for sale any sunscreen containing oxybenzone or octinoxate without a prescription from a licensed healthcare provider (Act 104; HRS 342D-21).
The legislature's stated reason was harm to Hawaii's marine environment, including coral reefs (Act 104). Later bills to add avobenzone and octocrylene to the statewide list did not become law, so the statewide list still names only oxybenzone and octinoxate (HRS 342D-21).
Maui County
Maui County Ordinance 5306 bans the sale, distribution and use of non-mineral sunscreens without a prescription, starting October 1, 2022 (Maui County). The county also recommends shade, avoiding the midday sun and protective clothing such as rash guards.
Hawaii County
Hawaii County's ordinance makes it unlawful to sell, offer for sale or distribute for sale any non-mineral sunscreen without a prescription, effective December 1, 2022 (Ordinance text).
What's the evidence on coral?
In lab studies, oxybenzone deformed and killed coral larvae, damaged coral DNA and caused bleaching, with effects worse in light (Downs et al., Arch Environ Contam Toxicol, 2016). The same study measured oxybenzone at Hawaiian reef sites at 0.8 to 19.2 micrograms per liter. Lab concentrations don't always reflect real-world conditions, and climate-driven warming is a major threat to reefs.
How to choose a compliant sunscreen
- Check the Drug Facts label, not the front of the bottle. "Reef safe" isn't a regulated term.
- For anywhere in Hawaii: avoid oxybenzone and octinoxate.
- For Maui and the Big Island: choose a sunscreen whose only actives are zinc oxide and/or titanium dioxide.
- Still protect your skin: broad-spectrum, water-resistant SPF 30+, about 1 ounce for the body, reapplied about every two hours and after swimming (AAD: sunscreen FAQs).
The FDA has proposed that zinc oxide and titanium dioxide are generally recognized as safe and effective sunscreen ingredients (FDA: sunscreen Q and A), so a mineral sunscreen protects your skin as well as meeting the rules.
Tips for mineral sunscreens
- Tinted formulas reduce white cast and also protect against visible light, which matters for dark spots (Lyons et al., J Am Acad Dermatol, 2021).
- Rub in well and apply generously; mineral sunscreens still need reapplication.
- Add a rash guard or swim shirt to cut down how much sunscreen you need.
Frequently asked questions
Can I bring my own chemical sunscreen to Hawaii? The statewide law covers sale, not use. On Maui, the county ordinance also bans using non-mineral sunscreen without a prescription.
Is avobenzone banned in Hawaii? Not statewide. It is restricted on Maui and the Big Island under the mineral-only rules.
Does SPF makeup count? Under the state law, sunscreen means a product for topical use to prevent sunburn, and products marketed as cosmetics for the face are excluded (Act 104).
This article is for educational purposes only and is not medical advice. Talk to a board-certified dermatologist about your situation.
Sources
- Downs CA et al. Toxicopathological effects of the sunscreen UV filter, oxybenzone (benzophenone-3), on coral planulae and cultured primary cells and its environmental contamination in Hawaii and the U.S. Virgin Islands. Arch Environ Contam Toxicol. 2016. PubMed
- Lyons AB et al. Photoprotection beyond ultraviolet radiation: a review of tinted sunscreens. J Am Acad Dermatol. 2021. PubMed
- Hawaii Revised Statutes. Section 342D-21; Act 104, 2018
- County of Maui. Mineral-only sunscreen
- County of Hawaii. Ordinance on non-mineral sunscreen
- American Academy of Dermatology. Sunscreen FAQs
- U.S. Food and Drug Administration. Sunscreen questions and answers
