Sun protection! As avid sun seekers and salt addicts, taking care of our skin from the powers of the UV rays is always a priority, especially being exposed to the elements day after day! As conscious water babies, we are aware of the impact of what we put on our skin, such as sunscreen, can be harmful to our oceans and coral reefs if we are not careful with what type of sunscreen we use. So we got chatting to our fellow Wellington Salt Sister, founder of Seasick Sunscreen Co to find out the ins and out of sun protection when it comes to caring for our skin and for our oceans!
Kia ora, I’m Nat. I am a sun worshipper and ocean-lover so sunscreen has always been a daily essential for me. I am also a conservationist and try my best to use sustainably produced products. So when I realised that there was a need for NZ-made sustainable sun care, I started my own social enterprise, Seasick Sunscreen Co. I want sustainable sun care to be easy and accessible —for everyone to be able to make the right choice for the planet without having to compromise on quality and the safety of our skin. That's why Seasick Sunscreen Co exists.
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What inspired you to start Seasick Sunscreen?
I am on a mission to stop ocean pollution from plastic sunscreen bottles and chemicals.
It was on a dive trip to Hawaii in 2019 that I learnt that chemical UV filters found in most sunscreens (including the one I was using at the time) can be toxic to marine life! So I went on the hunt for a sunscreen without these nasty chemicals, one that was plastic-free, NZ-made, and that didn't irritate my sensitive skin. I couldn't find one so I started experimenting with natural, DIY sunscreen recipes in my kitchen.
Since day one, 2% of our revenue has been donated to support local ocean conservation and education initiatives. One of the programmes we have been supporting in Wellington is Love Rimurimu who are working to regenerate seaweed forests.
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Tell us all about Seasick Sunscreen and what makes it so special!
Our Daily face and Body Sunscreen is made with just 7 naturally-derived ingredients and is packaged in a plastic-free tin.Â
One of the great things about it is that it doesn’t run and sting your eyes when you get in the water. This is because the sunscreen is a water-free formula and is more like a concentrated sunscreen balm than a liquid, making it ideal for ocean-lovers! Just 70ml of Seasick Sunscreen is the equivalent of a 200ml plastic sunscreen bottle.
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It's winter for us now in the Southern hemisphere, tell why is it still so important to wear sunscreen during these cooler months?
When summer comes to an end, it’s common to push the sunscreen to the back of the bathroom cupboard where it will be forgotten about until next summer...But, applying a SPF 30 sunscreen should be an essential part of your daily routine, regardless of the weather outside.
Sunscreen protects your skin from the harmful effects of UV (Ultraviolet) rays, which can cause sunburn, premature ageing, and even skin cancer. Even on cloudy or overcast days in the middle of winter, UV rays can penetrate the clouds and cause damage to your skin (especially in New Zealand).
As ocean lovers, how best can we look after our skin?
The best thing you can do to protect your skin when in/on/around the ocean is to wear sunscreen! As an ocean-lover, it’s easy to make the switch to a sunscreen that is better for the ocean by avoiding single-use plastic bottles and harsh chemicals that may be toxic to marine life. It’s also important to keep your skin hydrated - you can do this by drinking plenty of water (I try to drink at least 2L/day and it makes a huge difference to my skin) and moisturising after long salty sunny days (our favourite kind of days).
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Lastly, what does your skin care routine look like? Tell us your secrets haha!
I carry a 30g tin of sunscreen with me everywhere making it easy to reapply sunscreen throughout the day. I use one of Ethique’s plastic-free cleanser bars once or twice a week and use natural oils such as coconut or olive oil to moisturise. That’s it!
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Thanks Natalie x
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