Hawaiian Tropic Sheer Touch Face Lotion SPF 60+
Avoid until Hawaiian Tropic reveals waterproofing agents or funds PFAS testing.
Water-resistant face lotion formulations typically need PFAS-based water-repellent coating treatment. Hawaiian Tropic makes no disclosure, and no public testing is available.
The safe swap
Goddess Garden
Goddess Garden Natural Sunscreen SPF 30 6 oz
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
water-resistant sunscreen lotion
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.
Undisclosed waterproofing agents (likely fluorinated compounds)
Water-resistant formulations typically require hydrophobic additives; Hawaiian Tropic does not disclose whether these are PFAS, silicone-based, or other polymers. No testing data is publicly available for this specific product.
Chemical UV absorber sensitization (avobenzone, octinoxate, homosalate)
Organic UV filters are known to cause contact dermatitis, photosensitivity, or hormone activity in susceptible individuals. Incidence is low but higher than mineral sunscreens; no specific adverse event data for Hawaiian Tropic Sheer Touch is on record.
Fragrance allergen load
Hawaiian Tropic products are typically fragranced (tropical scent); fragrance mixes are a leading cause of allergic contact dermatitis in sunscreens. Specific fragrance components are not disclosed on packaging.
Parabens
Lotion-format sunscreens require preservatives; Hawaiian Tropic typically uses parabens or other antimicrobial agents. Incidence of irritation or sensitization is low but occurs, particularly with repeated facial application.
Source: FDA ↗Sunscreen filter degradation under UV exposure during storage
Chemical filters (avobenzone, octinoxate) degrade rapidly in sunlight; improper storage or expired product reduces SPF efficacy. No stabilizer composition is disclosed for this product.
The full breakdown
What it's made of and why it matters
Hawaiian Tropic Sheer Touch Face Lotion SPF 60+ is a chemical sunscreen lotion formulated with organic UV absorbers (likely avobenzone, homosalate, octinoxate, or similar) blended into a water-resistant emulsion. The 'water-resistant' claim (typically 80 minutes per FDA definition) requires hydrophobic agents; manufacturers commonly use fluorinated compounds (PFAS-type substances) or silicone-based polymers to achieve this durability. The lotion base contains glycerin, emulsifiers, and preservatives typical of the category, but the specific waterproofing chemistry is not disclosed on packaging or public materials.
The brand's record and disclosure
Hawaiian Tropic (owned by Edgewell Personal Care, a Energizer company subsidiary) has not published PFAS testing data, ingredient sourcing certifications, or formal statements on waterproofing agent composition. The brand does not carry third-party certifications (EWG Verified, NSF, Reef Safe) that would indicate higher transparency or formulation standards. No major recalls or safety controversies are on record for this specific product line, but the silence on water-resistance chemistry is a material gap in consumer safety disclosure.
How it compares in its category
This product sits in the mid-market mass-market sunscreen segment. Competitors like Neutrogena Ultra Sheer and CeraVe Face Lotion similarly withhold waterproofing agent details, though some premium or eco-focused brands (e.g., Blue Lizard, Colorescience) now disclose PFAS-free formulations or use only silicone polymers. SPF 60+ is standard for facial products; the 'Sheer Touch' texture is common in lotion formats but does not indicate reduced chemical load or hazard profile.
If you buy it
Apply sunscreen 15 minutes before sun exposure, use 1/4 teaspoon for face, and reapply every two hours or after water immersion (test claims on a small area first). Do not heat or store above 30C (86F); chemical UV filters degrade in heat. Discontinue use if irritation, redness, or stinging occurs within 15 minutes. Consider requesting Hawaiian Tropic's waterproofing agent specification via customer service; consumer demand for transparency may accelerate brand disclosure.
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.