suncream

Question

we are travelling to maui and kauai ftom the uk and are wondering if anyone can tell me if nivea suncream is reef safe. We will be wanting to buy the suncream in the UK and bring it over

Answer

Great question, and very thoughtful of you to consider the environmental impact as well as local regulations. Short answer: many NIVEA suncreams (from Europe/UK) are indeed “reef-safe” in the sense that they avoid the two chemicals banned in Hawaii, but not all NIVEA sunscreens are equal — and “reef-safe” is not a strictly regulated term. Here’s a detailed breakdown:

What Does “Reef-Safe” Mean (in the Context of Hawaii)?

Hawaii has banned the sale of sunscreens containing oxybenzone and octinoxate, due to their harmful effects on coral reefs.
Because of this, many people interpret “reef-safe” to mean a sunscreen that does not contain those ingredients.
That said, “reef-safe” is not a legally standardized label — different brands may use it differently.

NIVEA’s Ingredients & Reef-Safety Status

According to NIVEA’s own sustainability / ingredients page, their *European NIVEA Sun* products do not use oxybenzone.
They also say they eliminated octinoxate from all European NIVEA sun protection products as early as 2016.
NIVEA explicitly confirms on its website that their (European) NIVEA SUN line is free from oxybenzone and octinoxate, and thus “fully compliant with the Hawaiian Reef Bill.”

Specific NIVEA Products to Consider

Here are some NIVEA suncreams you might bring that are likely safer in terms of the two banned ingredients:

— According to the product description, this has *no Octinoxate or Oxybenzone*. Also claims to be “ocean-friendly.”
— A lightweight, high-SPF spray option.
— A lotion that is good for sensitive skin.
— Very lightweight gel — good for hot days.
— Another lighter, watery-essence type sunscreen.

Things to Be Careful Of / Consider When Bringing Sunscreen from the UK to Hawaii

Even if NIVEA’s UK / European formulas avoid oxybenzone and octinoxate, check the ingredients list of the specific product you're buying — formulations can vary by region.
Hawaii’s ban is on *sale/distribution*, not personal use — you are allowed to bring sunscreen containing those chemicals, but it’s better for the reef and community reputation to choose safer options.
Some mineral sunscreens (e.g., zinc oxide or titanium dioxide) are considered even safer for reefs — if “reef-friendly” is very important to you, you might also consider a mineral sunscreen.
Read the label for other potentially harmful UV filters (beyond just oxybenzone and octinoxate) — not all “reef-safe” sunscreens are equally benign in environmental studies.

Bottom Line

Yes — many NIVEA suncreams sold in the UK / Europe are compatible with Hawaii’s reef protection criteria, because they *do not contain* the two most problematic UV filters (oxybenzone, octinoxate), according to NIVEA. However, not every NIVEA product is automatically “reef-safe,” so you should: