Hawaiian Tropic Island Sport Lotion Sunscreen SPF 50
Waterproof sunscreens often contain PFAS; Hawaiian Tropic discloses nothing.
The waterproof formula likely relies on PFAS water-repellent coatings, yet Hawaiian Tropic stays silent on the topic. Without lab verification or brand transparency, concern persists.
The safe swap
Raw Elements
Raw Elements Mike Field Face & Body SPF 30 Tin
100/100 safety
Same rubric that flunked this product. The swap earned Excellent.
Still want this one anyway? Check the price on Amazon. We’d swap it.
Material
Oil/water emulsion with waterproofing agent
Brand disclosure
Brand is silent on PFAS
Lab data
No public lab test
What’s concerning
Waterproof / stain-resistant treatment
Water-repellent treatments have historically contained PFAS chemicals.
No PFAS disclosure
The company has not publicly discussed PFAS in this product.
Category baseline
cosmetics is a category where PFAS exposure is more common.
PFAS
Waterproof sunscreens frequently rely on PFAS to achieve durability. Hawaiian Tropic's silence on this issue, combined with the waterproofing agent requirement, suggests exposure risk is present but unconfirmed without independent testing.
Source: ATSDR ↗Endocrine disruptors
Chemical sunscreen filters can absorb into systemic circulation; avobenzone is photounstable and may generate free radicals unless stabilized with octocrylene. Limited evidence of harm at typical use levels, but some populations (pregnant women, children) may warrant mineral alternatives.
Source: NIEHS ↗Fragrance allergens and sensitization
Hawaiian Tropic Island Sport contains added fragrance compounds not individually disclosed on the label. Fragrance mixtures are known irritants for sensitive skin and can trigger contact dermatitis, especially when combined with sun exposure and water immersion.
Preservative-related irritation
Emulsified water-based sunscreens require antimicrobial preservatives; standard choices (methylisothiazolinone, parabens) can sensitize susceptible individuals, especially on compromised or inflamed skin.
What’s reassuring
Dimethicone (silicone) buildup on skin
Dimethicone is generally recognized as safe but can accumulate on skin with repeated application without thorough cleansing, potentially occluding pores; no specific toxicity documented for sunscreen use.
The full breakdown
What it's made of and why it matters
Hawaiian Tropic Island Sport is an oil-in-water emulsion designed for water resistance, which typically requires fluorinated compounds (PFAS) or silicone-based water-repellent agents to function. The product contains avobenzone and octinoxate as UV filters, plus glycerin and dimethicone as humectants and spreadability agents. Waterproof claims on sunscreens are a known vector for PFAS exposure because manufacturers use these persistent chemicals to create durable barriers on skin during aquatic activity.
The brand's record and disclosure
Hawaiian Tropic (owned by Edgewell Personal Care) does not publish ingredient-level safety data, PFAS testing results, or commitments to phase out fluorinated compounds. The brand has not pursued third-party certifications such as EWG verification or reef-safe labeling, which would signal additional scrutiny. No major recalls or safety controversies specific to this sunscreen line are documented in public records, but silence on PFAS in a waterproof product is a red flag given industry knowledge of the issue.
How it compares in its category
Waterproof sunscreens as a class carry higher PFAS risk than non-water-resistant alternatives; mineral (zinc oxide/titanium dioxide) sunscreens typically avoid PFAS but Hawaiian Tropic Island Sport is chemical-based. Competitors like Blue Lizard and Coppertone offer waterproof options with similar active ingredients but do not disclose PFAS status either. Brands with explicit PFAS-free or reef-safe claims (e.g., Badger, Aveeno Pure Protect) position themselves as lower-risk alternatives in the waterproof segment.
If you buy it
Apply liberally 15 minutes before sun exposure and reapply every 2 hours or after water immersion, as directed on the label. Wash thoroughly with soap and water after outdoor activity to minimize skin absorption and systemic exposure to any residual PFAS. Store in a cool, dry place away from direct heat; do not leave in hot cars. Consider rotating to a non-waterproof or mineral sunscreen on days without water contact to reduce cumulative exposure.
What we don’t know
- Basis
- Model estimate, 45% confidence, not a lab result
- Lab test
- None on record for this exact product
- Brand statement
- Hawaiian Tropic has made none
Formulations change between production runs, so check the current label. How we grade.
Safer alternatives in Sunscreen
Goddess Garden
Natural Sunscreen SPF 30 6 oz
mineral-based UV filters, plant-derived waxes
Fragrance allergens and undisclosed fragrance components
Limited concern
Skin irritation or photosensitivity from plant oils
Limited concern
Lower-concern mineral sunscreen backed by credible PFAS-exclusion certification.
✓Verified PFAS-free by a third party
Raw Elements
Eco Formula SPF 30 Sunscreen
mineral sunscreen (zinc oxide, titanium dioxide)
Heavy metals
Limited concern
Photocatalytic activity of titanium dioxide in sunlight
Limited concern
Skin irritation or sensitivity to mineral film
Limited concern
Low risk. Mineral sunscreen backed by third-party verification, no fluorochemical history.
✓Verified PFAS-free by a third party
Raw Elements
Face & Body Sunscreen Tin SPF 30
mineral sunscreen (zinc oxide/titanium dioxide), tin packaging
Epoxy resin coating in tin lining
Limited concern
Fragrance allergens
Limited concern
Nano particle inhalation from loose powder form
Limited concern
Low risk. Mineral formula plus explicit PFAS-free stance and certs lower concern.
✓Verified PFAS-free by a third party
More sunscreen grades
How we score: every product runs through the same public 0–100 rubric based on materials, coatings, brand disclosure, lab findings, and recalls. See the full methodology → Spotted a mistake? Report an error.