Hawaiian Tropic · Sunscreen
HAWAIIAN Tropic Lotion Sunscreen Sheer Touch SPF
Lower PFAS concern likely, but no transparency, check full ingredient list if worried.
Hawaiian Tropic Sheer Touch is a standard lotion sunscreen with no known waterproof coating or PFAS-prone additives typical of that category. The brand makes no PFAS claims and discloses nothing about forever chemicals. Sunscreens rarely contain PFAS unless they include water-repellent treatments, which aren't standard in lotion formulas.
Shop Hawaiian Tropic on Amazon →Material
Oil/water emulsion lotion base (typical sunscreen formulation)
Brand disclosure
Brand is silent on PFAS
Lab data
No public lab test
Why this grade
Category baseline
cosmetics is a category where PFAS exposure is more common.
No PFAS disclosure
No public statement about PFAS in this product.
Safe base material
Made from a material with no inherent PFAS use (ceramic, mineral, or natural fiber).
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.
Beyond PFAS: other things we checked
Established hazard classes for this product type, assessed from public information. These never change the PFAS grade; a Likely flag caps the Verdict at “Buy with care.”
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.
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.
Organic UV filter endocrine activity (oxybenzone, octinoxate)
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.
Preservative safety (parabens, methylisothiazolinone)
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.
Heavy metal impurities in colorants or talc-based texture agents
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.
What we don’t know
This grade is a model-based estimate from public materials, coatings, and brand disclosure at 72% confidence. It is not a lab result.
No independent PFAS lab test is on record for this exact product. A lab test could move the score in either direction.
The brand has not made a specific, verifiable PFAS-free statement, so part of this score reflects that missing disclosure rather than a confirmed material.
Formulations and coatings change between production runs. Always check the current label before buying.
Safer alternatives in Sunscreen
Goddess Garden
Natural Sunscreen SPF 30 6 oz
mineral-based UV filters, plant-derived waxes
Lower-concern mineral sunscreen with credible PFAS-exclusion certification.
✓Verified PFAS-free by a third party
Raw Elements
Eco Formula SPF 30 Sunscreen
mineral sunscreen (zinc oxide, titanium dioxide)
Lower PFAS concern; mineral sunscreen with third-party verification and no known 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
Lower-concern choice; mineral sunscreen + explicit PFAS-free positioning + third-party certs reduce risk.
✓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.