My life has always revolved around my love for being outside, specifically in the water. Growing up on Lake Michigan, my summers were spent sailing busted-up Lasers from the 1970s and roaming the sand dunes. Sunscreen was never cool, and not needing it was my badge of honor.
My love for the water expanded to the ocean when I moved to the Big Island in my late 20s to work in wilderness therapy. My days were spent outdoors doing therapy work, and my free time was spent surfing. I developed a deep respect for the ocean and became addicted to the peace surfing brought me (...a tale as old as time).
I was rocking sunscreen in the lineup because there's really no way around it, and I was pushing 30. My local friends taught me the importance of purchasing mineral sunscreen labeled "reef safe." I would buy the "clean" products at their premium prices, hoping I was doing something good for the planet.
Still, it was always a struggle because I have highly sensitive skin: acne-prone, perioral dermatitis, and psoriasis. What I needed felt like a unicorn: clean, long-lasting, reef- and river-safe, non-comedogenic, free of endocrine disruptors, and made with minimal ingredients. Sometimes, I would just opt for the sunburn.
I eventually learned that the majority of these "reef safe" products are just greenwashed marketing ploys. Many contain silicones, which are essentially liquid plastics that can take upwards of 500 years to break down in the ocean. Not to mention, they were packed with endocrine disruptors. And if they weren't? They were greasy, caused breakouts, or left me with a white cast. Not cute.
So, my partner Brooks did what ADHD hyperfixation does best and locked in to fill the gap. After over a year of slathering on his concoctions, I believe he's landed on something truly special. I can proudly wear this product knowing it's built right.
We're so excited to share this with you. It's for ripping down mountain bike trails, shredding in and out of the ocean, hiking with your babies (fur included), and whatever other adventure you feel called to.
With love xo,
Kaitlyn