Hawaiian Tropic Lotion Sunscreen Silk Hydration
Moderate caution; waterproof sunscreen likely contains fluorinated water-resistant agents.
Waterproof sunscreens commonly use fluorinated water-resistant compounds, but Hawaiian Tropic does not publish its formulation. No independent PFAS testing is available.
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 lotion 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.
Endocrine disruptors
Both chemicals have shown potential to penetrate skin and enter the bloodstream in some study populations. The FDA requested additional safety data on oxybenzone in 2019, though it remains approved. Avobenzone is more stable but less well-studied for systemic effects.
Source: NIEHS ↗Fragrance allergens and sensitizers
Hawaiian Tropic products typically contain fragrance blends. While 'Silk Hydration' does not disclose specific fragrance components, sunscreen fragrances can trigger contact dermatitis or photosensitization in sensitive individuals. No established recalls for this line, but fragrance is a known irritant category.
Mineral oil or petrolatum comedogenicity
Oil-based emulsion lotions may clog pores or worsen acne in susceptible users, particularly if applied to face daily. This is a concern specific to formulation type rather than acute toxicity.
Waterproofing agent (fluorinated compound) bioaccumulation
As a waterproof sunscreen, this product almost certainly contains PFAS-class water-resistant agents. These compounds are lipophilic and can accumulate in body tissues with repeated, frequent use. Long-term health data remain limited, though regulatory concern is growing.
What’s reassuring
Emulsifier or preservative sensitization
No specific safety alerts or widespread adverse events linked to emulsifiers or preservatives in Hawaiian Tropic Silk Hydration are on public record. Standard cosmetic preservatives are used at low concentrations.
The full breakdown
What it's made of and why it matters
Hawaiian Tropic Silk Hydration is an oil-in-water emulsion lotion designed for waterproofing. The 'waterproofing agent' referenced in the product profile is almost certainly a fluorinated compound (PFAS-class) that helps the sunscreen adhere to skin during water exposure. Beyond the waterproofing layer, the lotion base contains UV absorbers (likely oxybenzone or avobenzone), emulsifiers, oils, and humectants. The combination of oils and waterproofing chemicals creates a barrier that resists rinse-off but also means the PFAS component accumulates on skin during wear.
The brand's record and disclosure
Hawaiian Tropic is owned by Edgewell Personal Care and has not published specific ingredient transparency statements or pursued PFAS reduction commitments as of available records. The brand does not advertise independent certifications (e.g., EWG Verified, Reef Safe) on this product line. No major safety recalls or formal regulatory actions specific to Hawaiian Tropic sunscreens are on public record, but the brand has maintained a largely silent stance on fluorinated water-resistant ingredients, which is typical for mainstream sunscreen manufacturers.
How it compares in its category
Most waterproof sunscreens in the mass-market tier contain PFAS-based water-resistant agents; Hawaiian Tropic is not an outlier here. Mineral-only sunscreens (zinc oxide, titanium dioxide) typically avoid PFAS entirely but offer different cosmetic profiles. The Silk Hydration line sits in the mid-market segment where waterproofing is prioritized over PFAS-free formulation. Products explicitly marketed as 'PFAS-free' or reef-safe tend to cost more and are less water-resistant by design.
If you buy it
Apply generously to all exposed skin 15 minutes before sun exposure and reapply every 2 hours or immediately after swimming. Do not rely on a single application for full-day protection; frequent reapplication reduces skin contact time with the waterproofing compound. Wash off thoroughly with soap and water at the end of the day to minimize PFAS residue on skin. If you prefer to minimize PFAS exposure, consider switching to a mineral sunscreen or a brand with published PFAS-reduction or reef-safe commitments for occasional water activities.
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.
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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.