Meet The Maker: Coola Suncare

Meet The Maker: Coola Suncare
When it comes to clean sun care, Coola is the name to know. We set out to find out more about how their formulas work and why what's in your sunscreen is so important.

When did you start investigating how to produce eco-friendly, organic sun protection & what was the defining moment that inspired the creation of Coola?

Coola is the quintessential slice of California life. We embody the best parts of living here: a fusion of organic wellness, an outdoor, active lifestyle, and supporting local and diverse communities—passions we want to share with you through our products. We all try to eat better, live smarter, love more, and be more present and engaged in our experiences. We want you to enjoy every simple, happy moment and feel confident that our products are protecting and improving your skin in the healthiest way possible. It all began with a deep-rooted passion for the ocean and the outdoors. Growing up, I spent my summers at the beach (including time spent as a surf and windsurf instructor), and was constantly in the ocean and exposed to the sun. With relatively little protection, sunburns were a constant nuisance for myself and my family. Several years later, I left NY to move to Venice, California to pursue my MFA - and a chance to surf year-round! Shortly after arriving on the West Coast, both of my parents were diagnosed with melanoma. Fortunately, they made full recoveries, however, the melanoma scares inspired me to take a closer look at my own bad sun habits. Coupled with my newfound West Coast affinity for all things organic, I was motivated to create healthy sunscreens that would protect both people and the environment. After three years of research and product development, Coola launched in 2007 with a unique range of eco-conscious 70%+ organic sunscreen formulas.

Do Coola sunscreens shield against both UVA & UVB rays?

Yes! Our classic and mineral formulations guarantee broad-spectrum protection from UVA and UVB rays. The classic formulas should be applied at least 15 minutes before sun exposure, while our mineral products are effective before sun exposure.

In what ways do your eco-conscious formulas deliver high-performance results?

At Coola, we choose the most innovative, scientifically advanced ingredients that are also as natural, organic, sustainable, and locally sourced as can be. Our eco-conscious formulas are sourced with a Farm to Face® philosophy, ensuring that we always use the freshest, most potent natural and organic ingredients. We incorporate antioxidant-rich Plant Protection® into our sunscreens, which is a selection of plant-based ingredients including Algae and Red Raspberry Seed Oil that help naturally boost our formulas’ efficacy. This allows us to use fewer traditional—and potentially irritating—sunscreen actives. We also weed out all the stuff you don’t want on your skin or in the environment, like parabens, GMOs, and oxybenzone. Additionally, Coola’s Zinc Oxide and Titanium Dioxide active Mineral sunscreens are transparent and offer an easy to apply application that protects the sensitive skin of the face, body, and kids. After all, if it doesn’t feel good on, nobody is going to wear it, and the goal is to protect as many people (and as much of the environment) as possible.

What’s the best way to pick the right factor SPF for your skin requirements?

SPF stands for Sun Protection Factor, it indicates the sunscreen’s ability to block out the UVB rays from penetrating the skin. However, no sunscreen offers complete protection, but the higher the SPF, the more protection it provides against long-term damage. SPF 15 product blocks about 93% of UVB rays; SPF 30 product blocks 97% of UVB rays; and an SPF 50 product blocks about 98% of rays.

Some of us have had bad experiences with stickiness & greasiness in sun care products, how do you perfect the formulas so that this doesn’t happen?

At Coola, we pride ourselves on creating a product that people actually want to use, not just to use for sun protection. All of our product solutions are created with this in mind. From head to toe, every product in the Coola collection is developed with performance and daily-use at the forefront.

Have you managed to incorporate your ethos of an eco-friendly, organic, lifestyle into your company and employees?

Our dedicated team works out of a collaborative, art-filled office in southern California where we can be true to our mission and lifestyle. We’re committed to giving back at every level—from helping to support a global awareness of skin cancer awareness and treatment around the world while protecting our global greater environment, to support and uplift local communities through how we source our ingredients. Coola’s goal is to bring you better products, create a better community, and contribute to developing a better world. All while making you look and feel your natural, radiant best.

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