HAWAIIAN Tropic Lotion Sunscreen Sheer Touch SPF
Low-medium risk; lotion formula avoids water-repellent chemistry.
This standard lotion sunscreen lacks waterproof coatings or PFAS-prone additives typical of that category. Hawaiian Tropic makes no PFAS claims or disclosures.
We flunk more products than we pass. This one earned its grade. How we grade
Material
Oil/water emulsion lotion base (typical sunscreen formulation)
Brand disclosure
Brand is silent on PFAS
Lab data
No public lab test
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What HAWAIIAN Tropic Lotion Sheer Touch SPF is made of, ingredients and materials
Hawaiian Tropic Sheer Touch is an oil-in-water emulsion lotion combining mineral or organic UV filters with conditioning oils and water. The 'sheer touch' formulation typically relies on lightweight silicones or cyclomethicone to reduce greasiness, which are well-tolerated in topical use. Sunscreen lotions do not require heating during application, eliminating thermal degradation risks seen in cookware or plastic food storage.
What’s concerning
Category baseline
The starting point for this type of product, before anything specific to this product is counted.
No PFAS disclosure
No public statement from the brand about PFAS in this product.
Fragrance allergens and irritants
Sunscreens in this price segment often contain undisclosed fragrance blends; sensitive skin may react. Hawaiian Tropic product names reference coconut scent, suggesting fragrance load; full ingredient list should be reviewed if history of cosmetic sensitivity exists.
Endocrine disruptors
Mainstream sunscreens often include chemical filters with weak endocrine-activity signals in vitro. Hawaiian Tropic's full active-ingredient list is required to assess; this is a category-wide concern, not brand-specific, and exposure via topical sunscreen is considered low-risk by regulatory bodies.
Source, NIEHS ↗Parabens
Lotion-based sunscreens require preservatives to prevent bacterial/fungal growth. Standard preservatives (parabens, phenoxyethanol) are used in Hawaiian Tropic products; regulatory agencies permit them at approved levels, but paraben-sensitive individuals should cross-check ingredient label.
Source, FDA ↗What’s reassuring
Base material not linked to PFAS
The main material recorded for this product is not one associated with PFAS.
Mineral filter (titanium dioxide/zinc oxide) particle safety if nanoparticle
If this product uses mineral filters, size specification (nano vs. non-nano) is not publicly documented. Regulatory stance (FDA, EU) permits non-nano particles in sunscreens; nano forms are permitted but warrant monitoring for inhalation risk if applied as powder or spray.
Heavy metals
No recalls or public reports of lead, cadmium, or arsenic in Hawaiian Tropic sunscreens. If product contains talc for matting, external talc mining data suggests low contamination risk, though talc as sunscreen ingredient is uncommon.
Source, FDA ↗How is this PFAS grade calculated?
The brand's record and disclosure
Hawaiian Tropic (owned by Edgewell Personal Care) maintains no public sustainability or toxicology transparency statement on PFAS or other legacy chemicals. The brand has not faced major recalls or documented safety controversies in public records. No third-party certifications (EWG Verified, NSF, etc.) are listed, which is typical for mass-market sunscreens rather than a red flag.
How it compares in its category
This product sits in the mainstream, affordable sunscreen tier. Comparable brands (Coppertone, Banana Boat) share similar formulation opacity and lack of PFAS disclosure. Mineral-only or certified-organic alternatives (Blue Lizard, Badger) offer greater transparency but at higher cost. Hawaiian Tropic's ingredient profile is broadly consistent with industry convention for lotion-based sunscreens.
If you buy it
Apply generously 15 minutes before sun exposure and reapply every 2 hours or after swimming. Store below 77°F (25°C) to prevent emulsion breakdown and active-ingredient degradation; check the expiration date before use. Sunscreens typically have a 3-year shelf life; discard if the product separates, hardens, or shows discoloration. No special washing protocol is needed beyond normal cleansing.
What is not known about PFAS in this product?
- Basis
- Model estimate, 72% 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.
What are the PFAS-free alternatives to HAWAIIAN Tropic Lotion Sunscreen Sheer Touch SPF?
- Mineral sunscreen, zinc oxide base
- A third party reports verifying it as PFAS-free
- 1,4-dioxane (non-intentional contaminant from surfactants/emulsifiers)
2 hazards checked on this product, all on its full breakdown.
- mineral sunscreen (zinc oxide or titanium dioxide base)
- The brand calls it PFAS-free, which we have not verified
- Synthetic fragrance allergens
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.