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
What’s concerning
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.
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 consider them safe at approved levels, but paraben-sensitive individuals should cross-check ingredient label.
Source: FDA ↗What’s reassuring
Safe base material
Made from ceramic, mineral, or natural fiber with no PFAS risk.
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) considers non-nano particles safe; 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 ↗The full breakdown
What it's made of and why it matters
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.
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 we don’t know
- 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.
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.