Honua Hawaiian Skincare Malu SPF
Works for
1 of 1 advertised claim delivered
Sun protectionSPF 30 · 2 UV filtersBroad spectrum
This product offers a good level of protection against both UVB and UVA rays.
This sunscreen uses organic (so-called "chemical") sunscreen filters. Organic, or "chemical" filters usually provide reliable sun protection and rarely leave a white cast. Sunscreens with organic filters can sting eyes.
This product can be considered "reef safe" because it does not contain the UV filters (oxybenzone and octinoxate) that can be harmful to coral reefs when present in the water in high concentrations.
Evens skin toneNot advertised by the brand · No ingredient credited for this claimStrong support
This product offers broad spectrum sun protection. It means that it can prevent hyperpigmentation and help keep the skin tone even (sun damage is the main factor causing age spots, darkening of post-acne marks and other discolorations).
Anti-agingNot advertised by the brand · 2 ingredients credited for this claimStrong support
This product can help prevent early signs of skin aging because it offers a good level of broad spectrum sun protection. Sun damage is the main cause of premature skin aging, and protecting your skin from the sun is the best anti-aging strategy.
MoisturizingNot advertised by the brand · 16 ingredients credited for this claimGood support
This product can help improve hydration of the skin with the two types of ingredients.
The first type is called “humectants”:
these ingredients help attract water.
When humectants are on the surface of the skin, they “pull in” the moisture from the outside environment, or from
within deeper layers of the skin. The following ingredients in this product do the job:
erythritol, glycerin.
This product also contains ingredients called “occlusives”. They help reduce the speed with which our skin loses moisture to the outside environment. These ingredients also help soften the upper layer of the skin, so it feels less tight and nicer to the touch. The following ingredients in this product do the job: copernicia cerifera wax, diheptyl succinate.
Can it cause trouble?
Irritancy2 strong irritants: Citrus aurantium dulcis peel extract, Rosa damascena extractMedium risk
ComedogenicClean of flagged comedogenic ingredientsNone flagged
User reviews
Ingredients
Filter by role to see what each ingredient is doing.
Zinc oxide12%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A broad spectrum sunblock (protects from both UVA and UVB rays). Is suitable for most sensitive skins. In small concentrations, can be used as a colorant
More about Zinc oxideAloe barbadensis leaf juice~23–35%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Traditionally used to treat sunburns, dermatitis and inflammation, but evidence for its effectiveness is lacking. The extract can contain humectants that help attract water into the skin
More about Aloe barbadensis leaf juiceArachidyl alcohol~4.9–7.4%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Used to soften the upper layer of the skin and create a thicker product consistency
More about Arachidyl alcoholArachidyl glucoside~2.6–3.8%
Avena sativa bran extract~2.2–3.3%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Behenyl alcohol~1.6–2.5%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Non-drying alcohol that helps water and oil mix together. Also serves as an emollient
More about Behenyl alcoholBisabolol~1.1–1.6%
- Irritation risk
- Low
An active component of chamomile plant that historically has been used to calm down irritated skin. A recent study shows that bisabolol indeed can have some anti-inflammatory effect on skin, even though conclusive data is lacking. Bisabolol has a sweet floral scent and can be added to products for its aromatic properties
More about BisabololButyloctyl salicylate~0.85–1.3%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
A synthetic ester of salicylic acid that is used to help disperse pigments and boost effectiveness of sunscreen ingredients. It is able to absorb UV light (working as an organic, or chemical filter), but is not approved as a sunscreen ingredient on its own
More about Butyloctyl salicylateCaprylhydroxamic acid~1–1.5%
Capryloyl glycerin/sebacic acid copolymer~0.6–1.4%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps soften the upper layer of the skin
More about Capryloyl glycerin/sebacic acid copolymerCaprylyl glycol~0.55–1.3%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Helps preserve products and creates a nice product texture
More about Caprylyl glycolCitric acid~0.4–0.95%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Can work as an exfoliant but is typically used to adjust the product pH
More about Citric acidCitrus aurantium dulcis peel extract~0.3–0.7%
Copernicia cerifera wax~0.35–0.8%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps to soften the upper layer of the skin and create a nice product consistency
More about Copernicia cerifera waxDiheptyl succinate~0.2–0.7%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps to soften the upper layer of the skin and creates a nice product finish on the skin
More about Diheptyl succinateEthyl ferulate~0.15–0.6%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Ethyl macadamiate~0.15–0.6%
Ethylhexyl olivate~0.15–0.55%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps soften the upper layer of the skin
More about Ethylhexyl olivateErythritol~0.1–0.45%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps to attract water to the upper layer of the skin
More about ErythritolGlycerin~0.1–0.5%
- Irritation risk
- Low
One of the best moisturizing ingredients. Naturally present in skin. It attracts water to the upper layer of the skin working as a humectant
More about GlycerinGlyceryl stearate~0.1–0.45%
- Irritation risk
- Low
An emollient that softens the skin and forms a protective layer on its surface. Helps water and oil mix together
More about Glyceryl stearateHydrogenated castor oil~0.1–0.4%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
A plant oil that can help soften the skin. It might be helpful in calming down inflammation, but solid research is lacking. Is often used in lip products to create the needed product consistency
More about Hydrogenated castor oilJasminum officinale oil~0.05–0.15%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Morinda citrifolia fruit extract~0.05–0.25%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Rosa damascena extract~0.05–0.25%
- Irritation risk
- High
Oil of a very fragrant pink rose used as fragrance in cosmetics. Extensive research has shown it has mixed benefits. In the pro column, inhaling this flower’s scent seems to have relaxing properties and the plant’s petals contain skin-soothing and antioxidant compounds that can benefit skin. On the flipside, the numerous chemicals that create this rose’s distinctive fragrance pose a risk of causing skin aggravation.
More about Rosa damascena extractPolyhydroxystearic acid~0.1–0.3%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Used to create a thicker product consistency and stabilize the formulation
More about Polyhydroxystearic acidPropanediol~0.05–0.25%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Acts as a solvent for other ingredients. Speeds up the absorption of other ingredients into the skin
More about PropanediolRicinus communis seed oil~0.05–0.25%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
A plant oil that can help soften the skin. It might be helpful in calming down inflammation, but solid research is lacking. Is often used in lip products to create the needed product consistency
More about Ricinus communis seed oilSodium gluconate~0.05–0.15%
Sodium hyaluronate~0.05–0.15%
- Irritation risk
- Low
One of the best moisturizing ingredients. Attracts water into the upper layer of the skin
More about Sodium hyaluronateSqualane~0.05–0.25%
- Irritation risk
- Low
An oil naturally present in skin. Works as an emollient to soften the skin and form a protective layer on its surface without a greasy feeling.
More about SqualaneTocopherol~0.01–0.05%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Pure form of vitamin E. Can help moisturise and protect the skin from free radicals. Often used to help stabilise other ingredients or the formula itself
More about TocopherolWater~0.01–0.05%
Xanthan gum~0.01–0.05%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Used to create a thicker product consistency
More about Xanthan gumIngredient list view
Zinc oxide, Aloe barbadensis leaf juice, Arachidyl alcohol, Arachidyl glucoside, Avena sativa bran extract, Behenyl alcohol, Bisabolol, Butyloctyl salicylate, Caprylhydroxamic acid, Capryloyl glycerin/sebacic acid copolymer, Caprylyl glycol, Citric acid, Citrus aurantium dulcis peel extract, Copernicia cerifera wax, Diheptyl succinate, Ethyl ferulate, Ethyl macadamiate, Ethylhexyl olivate, Erythritol, Glycerin, Glyceryl stearate, Hydrogenated castor oil, Jasminum officinale oil, Morinda citrifolia fruit extract, Rosa damascena extract, Polyhydroxystearic acid, Propanediol, Ricinus communis seed oil, Sodium gluconate, Sodium hyaluronate, Squalane, Tocopherol, Water, Xanthan gum
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Product summary
Based on the ingredient list, we assess that "Honua Hawaiian Skincare - Malu SPF" can provide reliable sun protection. We love that it can protect from both UVA and UVB rays (not all sunscreens with SPF ratings give UVA protection. UVA rays do not cause sunburn, but still damage our skin and lead to early aging).
Because it includes good moisturizing ingredients, it can also work as a hydrating day cream. Like all broad-spectrum sunscreens, this product helps prevent early signs of aging.
Sunscreen filters
This sunscreen uses a mixture of both mineral and organic (so-called "chemical") UV filters. The organic filters in the product are: butyloctyl salicylate. As for the mineral filters, this sunscreen uses zinc oxide.
Irritation risk
This formulation includes some common irritants, including ingredients that do not provide a benefit for the skin. We assess the overall irritancy of this product to be medium. For a detailed overview of all potential irritants: click here
You can see the detailed formula review with the breakdown of all actives in the product and the full ingredient list with estimated concentrations in the tables below.
What our users say
Based on 2 reviews 100% recommend this product- When it comes to comedogenicity, the reviewer found that it does not clog pores.
- As for the white cast, two out of two reviewers say that the product does not leave a white cast.
- When it comes to using this sunscreen under makeup, two out of two reviewers report that the product does not pill under makeup.
- As for using this sunscreen in the eye area, two out of two reviewers say that it doesn't sting eyes.
Price
The product retails for 42.00$ in the United States.
For a detailed price comparison: click here.
Sources cited in this review
Every concentration estimate and effectiveness label is anchored to one of these 15 studies and safety reviews.
- 1A review of inorganic UV filters zinc oxide and titanium dioxideonlinelibrary.wiley.com
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