HONOLULU (KHON2) — Living in Hawaiʻi, there’s no time when sunscreen isn’t necessary. With each of the earth’s tilt toward and away from the sun for summer and winter, we maintain a relatively stable position due our proximity to the equator.
The sun gives off light and heat, but it also sends out invisible rays called ultraviolet (UV) rays. Too much UV can hurt your skin. It can cause sunburn, wrinkles or even skin cancer.
That’s why it’s important to protect your skin when you’re outside, especially in sunny places like Hawaiʻi.
Types of UV protection
There are a few ways to protect yourself from UV rays:
- Clothing: Wearing long-sleeve shirts, hats and sunglasses can block UV rays. There are even clothes that can do this. Look for clothing with a UPF label (Ultraviolet Protection Factor).
- Shade: Stay under trees, umbrellas or covered areas when the sun is strongest; that’s between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m.
- Sunscreen: Lotions or sprays that you apply to your skin work to protect it from UV rays.
Types of sunscreens
There are two main kinds of sunscreen:
- Chemical sunscreen: This type soaks into your skin and absorbs UV rays. Common ingredients include oxybenzone and octinoxate.
- Mineral (physical) sunscreen: This type sits on top of your skin and reflects UV rays like a mirror. It usually has zinc oxide or titanium dioxide in the mixture.
Hawaiʻi’s sunscreen laws
Hawaiʻi cares a lot about its coral reefs, which are hurt by certain chemicals in some sunscreens. So, the state of Hawaiʻi banned sunscreens that have oxybenzone and octinoxate. These chemicals can damage marine life and is accumulatively toxic for humans, including hormone disruption and skin allergies.
Allowed sunscreens in Hawaiʻi:
- Only mineral sunscreens with zinc oxide or titanium dioxide are legally allowed to be sold in Hawaiʻi without a prescription.
- These are reef-safe, which means they won’t harm ocean life.
How to apply sunscreen
- Use sunscreen 30 minutes before going outside.
- Apply to all skin that will be in the sun.
- Use about a shot glass full (1 ounce) for your whole body.
- Reapply every two (2) hours or after swimming or sweating.
- Don’t forget spots like your ears, neck, feet and the back of your knees.
You can click here to read the law.
By using reef-safe sunscreen and other types of protection, you can enjoy the sun safely while also helping protect Hawaiʻi’s ocean life.