Brandwave

EltaMD vs Hawaiian Tropic:Which is more popular?

In September 2026, EltaMD had more branded searches than Hawaiian Tropic among sunscreen brands in the United States. EltaMD had about 40,500 branded searches, while Hawaiian Tropic had 5,400. EltaMD made up 12.3% of all sunscreen brand searches we track, and Hawaiian Tropic accounted for 1.6%. When we asked ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews about sunscreen brands, EltaMD appeared in three of the five answers and Hawaiian Tropic in none.

Among sunscreen brands in the United States in September 2026

Who do people search for more?

EltaMD, about 8 searches for every 1 for Hawaiian Tropic

EltaMD 40.5K searchesHawaiian Tropic 5.4K searches

Who does AI mention more?

EltaMD, mentioned in 3 of 5 answers, Hawaiian Tropic in 0

EltaMD in 3 of 5Hawaiian Tropic in 0 of 5

Who does AI recommend more?

EltaMD, the only one of the two named

EltaMD first in 3Hawaiian Tropic never named

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Top sunscreen brands in ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews

In three ChatGPT questions and two Google AI Overviews, EltaMD was mentioned in three out of five: in two of the three ChatGPT answers and in one of the two Google AI Overviews. Hawaiian Tropic did not appear in any of the five answers.

Most recommended by AI

Brands get a higher ranking if they are mentioned earlier in the answers.

  1. EltaMD1st
  2. La Roche-Posay2nd
  3. Supergoop!3rd
  4. Neutrogena4th
  5. CeraVe5th
  6. Blue Lizard6th
  7. Beauty of Joseon–
  8. Banana Boat–
  9. Sun Bum–
  10. +1 more
  11. Hawaiian Tropic–
  12. +3 more

Mentioned by AI

Each dot is one answer, filled in when that answer mentions the brand.

  • Neutrogena4 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers
  • EltaMD3 of 5Named in 2 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers
  • CeraVe3 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers
  • La Roche-Posay2 of 5Named in 2 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers
  • Supergoop!2 of 5Named in 1 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers
  • Banana Boat1 of 5Named in 1 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers
  • Blue Lizard1 of 5Named in 1 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers
  • Beauty of Joseon0 of 5Named in 0 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers
  • Sun Bum0 of 5Named in 0 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers
  • Hawaiian Tropic0 of 5Named in 0 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers

+4 more

See every answer about sunscreen brands

5 answers

Not named in any answer:

Brands are shown in the order each answer named them. The survey took place in United States on October 26, 2026.

Is EltaMD or Hawaiian Tropic more popular in search?

This chart shows how often people search Google for EltaMD and Hawaiian Tropic by name. Each line represents a brand's share of searches for all 14 sunscreen brands we track, month by month, from searches in United States.

EltaMD and Hawaiian Tropic among sunscreen brands in the United States, by month

Share of searches by month for EltaMD, Hawaiian Tropic. The figures are in the table below the chart.

View monthly share of searches table
MonthBeauty of JoseonLa Roche-PosayBanana BoatEltaMDSupergoop!Blue LizardSun BumNeutrogenaCeraVeCoppertoneHawaiian TropicAustralian GoldAveenoIsntree
Oct 202516.9%13.8%20.6%13.8%11.3%2.2%6.2%5%3.4%2.8%1.5%0.65%0.99%0.99%
Nov 202524%13.1%10.7%16%16%1.7%5.9%3.9%3.2%1.7%1.4%0.52%0.78%0.94%
Dec 202521%14.1%14.1%14.1%14.1%2.8%6.3%4.2%3.4%1.9%1.9%0.56%0.83%0.83%
Jan 202619.8%13.2%13.2%13.2%13.2%4%7.3%4.8%4%2.2%2.6%0.78%0.78%0.95%
Feb 202618.4%15%15%12.3%12.3%3.7%6.7%4.5%4.5%2%3%0.88%0.88%0.88%
Mar 202616.5%13.5%11%11%13.5%6%9%6%4%1.8%4%1.5%0.98%0.98%
Apr 202616.3%13.3%10.9%10.9%13.3%7.3%8.9%6%4.9%1.8%3.3%1.2%1.2%0.97%
May 202612.6%12.6%10.3%8.4%18.8%10.3%8.4%5.7%4.6%1.4%3.8%1.4%0.92%0.61%
Jun 202614.4%14.4%9.7%7.9%9.7%14.4%9.7%6.5%4.3%1.6%3.6%1.9%1.1%0.58%
Jul 202614.6%14.6%11.9%8%9.7%14.6%8%6.5%4.4%1.9%2.9%1.6%0.87%0.58%
Aug 202616.2%16.2%13.3%10.9%8.9%8.9%7.3%7.3%4%1.8%2.2%1.2%0.97%0.97%
Sep 202618.4%15%12.3%12.3%12.3%6.7%6.7%5.5%4.5%2%1.6%0.88%0.88%0.73%

How has the EltaMD and Hawaiian Tropic comparison changed over the last 12 months?

3 findings

How did search popularity change for United States sunscreen brands in September 2026?

2 changes

  1. In September 2026, EltaMD gained share of searches among sunscreen brands in the United States, from 10.9% to 12.3%.

  2. In September 2026, Hawaiian Tropic lost share of searches among sunscreen brands in the United States, from 2.2% to 1.6%.

How are branded searches counted?

2 search terms

Brandwave collects information about searches that people make online using EltaMD’s and Hawaiian Tropic’s names. When viewed over time, estimated search volumes for these branded terms can be used to understand whether interest in the brands is growing, holding steady, or fading.

EltaMD

1 branded search term

  • elta md

Hawaiian Tropic

1 branded search term

  • hawaiian tropic

How the Brand Demand Index is measured

Other head-to-heads among sunscreen brands

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