Sell sunscreen in your California clinic, or post about it? AB 1744 was signed into law and starts January 1, 2027, and it limits when sunscreen can be called "reef safe." It covers labels and ads, so it reaches your shelf signs and social posts too.
By Amber Bechthold, Founder & CEO of Aesthetic Compliance Experts · Esthetician with 25 years in medicine and aesthetics · Last reviewed October 27, 2026
Key Facts at a Glance
Status: Passed · takes effect soon
State: California
Law: AB 1744 (Chapter 272, Statutes of 2026)
Signed: September 18, 2026
Takes effect: January 1, 2027
What it does: sunscreen can't be called reef safe unless it has no chemical sun filters
Who it affects: anyone who labels or advertises sunscreen sold in California
What Changed
"Reef safe" is limited: only sunscreen with no chemical sun filters can use it.
Other phrases too: reef friendly, ocean safe, marine safe and ocean friendly are covered.
Labels, containers and ads: all three are covered.
Examples named: six chemical filters, including oxybenzone and avobenzone.
Why This Matters in a Med Spa
Many clinics sell SPF at the front desk and promote it on social media. This law reaches how sunscreen is advertised, not just what's printed on the bottle.
Does This Apply to My Clinic?
If you sell or advertise sunscreen in California, it's worth a look. If your clinic is in another state, this law doesn't apply to you.
What the law doesn't spell out
What counts as a chemical sun filter beyond the six examples
Whether mineral filters like zinc count
Who checks or enforces it
Ask your attorney how it applies to your products and ads.
Frequently Asked Questions
When does California AB 1744 start?
January 1, 2027.
Does it cover social media posts?
It covers ads as well as labels and containers.
Is zinc sunscreen still "reef safe"?
The law doesn't say whether mineral filters like zinc count. Ask your attorney.
Sources
LegiScan: California AB 1744 (2025-2026)
CalMatters Digital Democracy: AB 1744
What This Means for Your Clinic
If your clinic is in California, the areas this touches are:
Sunscreen you sell at your clinic
Shelf signs, product pages and social posts about SPF
Words like reef safe, ocean safe or marine safe
Our clients get the step-by-step plan. Questions about your own setup go to your attorney.
Keep reading
Need a legal answer for your clinic?
ACE works with Doris Dike, Esq., founder of Dike Law Group PLLC, our outside legal counsel. If you need an attorney to look at how this applies to your clinic, her office can help. Her office includes an attorney licensed in California.
Phone: (972) 290-1031
Office: 6160 Warren Parkway, Suite 100, Frisco, TX 75034
Book a call: dklawg.com/contact
Have questions about how this applies to your clinic? Book a free 30-minute Gap Analysis Call or text us anytime at (817) 442-7484.
This post is educational. It is not legal advice, and requirements differ by state and by practice. Confirm how any change applies to your clinic with your own attorney or your licensing board.
