Raw Elements was founded by Brian Guadagno, a lifelong ocean lifeguard who loves the sea. When Brian learned about the harmful effects of chemical sunscreens on humans and the marine environment, he was shocked. He discovered that most chemical sunscreens contain ingredients that can destroy coral reefs and harm creatures like dolphins and sea urchins. When these delicate ecosystems are disrupted, our ocean’s health declines.

Brian went on a quest to find a natural, environmentally-friendly sunscreen that kept up with his active lifestyle — and that he felt good about sharing with others. But after a long search, he came up empty handed. Many of the sunscreens he researched still contained iffy ingredients, and they didn’t give him the lasting sun protection he needed. Finally, he decided to try making some himself.

He turned his home kitchen into a sunscreen laboratory, testing natural ingredients to find an effective formula. At last, he succeeded in creating a sunscreen that was safe, sustainable, and provided reliable sun protection.

Raw Elements creates sustainable sunscreen and skin care products. They use non-nano zinc oxide as their sole active ingredient. Non-nano zinc oxide forms a barrier on the skin and reflects the rays that cause sun damage. And unlike many sunscreen ingredients, it’s reef-safe. All Raw Elements’ ingredients are certified natural and organic — their motto is, “If it isn’t produced by Mother Earth, it isn’t in our sunscreen.”

Each Raw Elements product is carefully designed to give you high-performance sun protection. These natural sunscreens are water-resistant and provide broad spectrum protection against UVA and UVB rays. All their products are gentle on skin and safe for daily use. And they use ingredients like Cocoa Butter, Vitamin E and Hemp Seed Oil to give your skin an extra boost.

And they don’t stop with what is inside their products. They also package their sunscreens sustainably in materials like compostable cardboard, infinitely recyclable aluminum, and plant-based tubes. Raw Elements Sunscreen lets you enjoy the outdoors without worrying about sun damage or harm to the environment.

Raw Elements is based in Huntington Beach, California, home to white sandy coastlines and beautiful ocean sunsets.

We love that Raw Elements is a pioneer in their industry. When they discovered a need, they actively pushed to find a solution and inspire change.

Raw Elements is committed to upholding the highest standards of sustainability and quality. They have many certifications, like Non-GMO Project Approved, Leaping Bunny Certified Cruelty-Free, EWG #1 Rated, Made in USA, and more.

We also appreciate that Raw Elements works to further efforts in education, environmental awareness, and sun safety. At Lochtree, we’re passionate about empowering others to make positive choices for their lives and for the planet. Raw Elements helps you make a difference with something as simple as your sunscreen.

Since their founding, Raw Elements has been at the forefront of developing sustainable sunscreen. They have worked to show consumers that they have other options besides chemical-filled products from big brands. One way they increased awareness was by being the first sunscreen brand to partner with an airline company: Hawaiian Airlines. They offered product samples and in-flight education to show how unsustainable tourism has harmed Hawaii’s marine health and coral reefs.

They’re also focused on finding innovative ways to care for the planet. Their new zero-waste packaging helps keep plastic out of landfills. And to help bring more awareness to the threats facing coral reefs, they founded World Reef Day on June 1, 2019. Thanks to their dedication, they achieved a #1 Rating from The Environmental Working Group eleven years in a row.

Recently, Raw Elements launched a campaign to provide their reef-safe sunscreen nationwide, including over 300 hotels and every beach and state park in Rhode Island. Moving forward, Raw Elements continues to work to deliver safe, effective sunscreen and skin care products. They believe that sustainable products create meaningful change. And they want to help make these products accessible to everyone.

You can join Raw Elements in their mission to protect the ocean and our environment. Here are a few ways you can get involved:

• Choose products that are safe for people and the planet
• Join and follow eco-conscious organizations like 1% For The Planet
• Learn more about current environmental issues like coral reef conservation
• Talk with family, friends, and coworkers to raise awareness

And you can help protect marine life by choosing reef-safe sun protection products like Raw Elements Sunscreen.