Back in 2018, the Govenor of Hawaii signed a bill banning the sale of many popular sunscreen brands in the Hawaiian Islands but it didn’t go into effect until Jan 1. 2021.

Things became a lot stricter in Maui when they passed a ban on the sale, distribution and USE of anything other than Mineral Only Sunscreens.  This started on Oct 1, 2022.

So you can’t buy any sunscreens other than Mineral Only Sunscreen in Maui but what should Maui and other Hawaii bound tourists know.

Non mineral sunscreens, containing petrochemical UV filters, can wash off and enter our rivers and ocean and can harm our marine life and coral, including:

  • Coral: Accumulation in tissues; bleaching; DNA damage; deformed and killed young
  • Fish: Decreased fertility and reproduction; female characteristics in males
  • Dolphins: Accumulation in tissues and transferred to young

Before buying or using sunscreen (brought from home), read the ingredients label and choose only mineral sunscreens made with ‘non-nanotized’ zinc oxide or titanium dioxide—natural mineral ingredients.

  • Just because the package says it’s reef friendly, doesn’t mean it is.
  • Also, not all zinc oxide is Non-Nanotized, so you really need to check the ingredients of your sunscreen.

Stay away from sunscreens with these ingredients:  Homosolate, Octisolate, Octinoxate, Avobenzone, Oxybenzone, Octocrylene, Ecamsule, parabens, and fragrances.

 

Mineral Only Sunscreen Maui County

 

Because chemicals in some sunscreens can wash off our bodies and harm coral and other marine life, the County of Maui passed Ordinance No. 5306 that bans the sale, distribution and use of non-mineral sunscreens without a prescription.

Starting on October 1, 2022, only mineral sunscreens will be allowed in the County.

To help protect Maui County reefs, choose only mineral sunscreens made with ‘non-nanotized’ zinc oxide or titanium dioxide—natural mineral ingredients. Since no sunscreen is completely waterproof or effective, the first line of defense in protecting your skin is avoiding peak times (between 10:00 am and 2:00 pm), seeking shade, and wearing protective clothing such as hats, long-sleeved shirts and sunglasses or rash guards and wetsuits in the water.

 

My Vacation Lady got some Raw Elements in Maui on our last visit and just checked where I can find it to take with us.  Both Target and Amazon carry it- just to name a few.  It may not be as cheap as some of the other brands you can find in drug stores or supermarkets but keep Hawaii’s reefs safe!

The team at My Vacation Lady will customize your Hawaii Honeymoon or Vacation based on your dreams and budget.    See what the difference our personalized service can do for your honeymoon or vacation planning experience!

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