There are no bad questions. The floor is open. Ask whatever you want. Tell us what we’re doing right or wrong. You’ll learn from us, we’ll learn from you, and we’ll both be better for it. Live Healthy!
1. I hear stuff about “broad spectrum” protection now and then, and I have an inkling that it has to do with different kinds of UV light. What does it really mean?

“Broad spectrum” is a term of art that generally refers to the range of light that is emitted from the sun including both UVA and UVB light. The easiest way to remember what each does? UVA is for Aging and UVB is for Burning. UVB is the stronger, shorter rays that burn the skin’s surface and induce burning and/or tanning. The Sun Protection Factor “SPF” relates only to UVB light. Sana’s Solar to Polar is broad spectrum because it protects from both UVA and UVB lights.

2. Is tanning bad? Really? I know the skin purists say any kind of sun is bad, but I practically never burn. Should I worry?

Yes and no. Tanning itself – the production of melanin – is not damaging, but many argue that simultaneous skin damage (at least UVA damage) always accompanies tanning. Those of us with darker skin actually may be at greater risk for skin cancer- largely because UVA damage leaves no immediate signs. In other words, deeper damage may be occurring for those who feel impervious to the sun. You’ve seen the deep brown leather skin sported by longtime beach goers – those are people who may not have burned, but UVA rays have taken their toll. It’s fun to play in the sun, and its effects aren’t all bad when you protect yourself!

3. What is the difference between synthetic active ingredients in sunscreen vs. minerals in sunscreen? There are many reasons synthetics could be a no-no. It is believed that synthetics in skin care products can do anything from disrupting the body’s hormones to causing allergic reactions due to how absorbable they are. Learn more at Save with Green

4. Why are physical sunscreens better for tattoos? Physical sunscreens aren’t just better; they’re the only thing that works. Short of wearing a burka, that is. 

There are two types of sunscreens: physical and chemical. Physical sunscreens repel the UVA and UVB rays . The two FDA-recognized physical screens – zinc and titanium – do not have negative impact on skin in appropriate doses. Chemical sunscreens, meanwhile, protect your skin by absorbing UVA and UVB radiation and mitigating its effects. The rub? Chemical sunscreens might help your skin, but they don’t protect your tattoos from fading. Not even a little. Further, several chemical screens are known endocrine disrupters, meaning they’re not good for you or your skin. Vivesana sunscreens use exclusively physical sunscreens, making them better for you and your tattoos than any chemical screens out there. They also have two dramatic advantages over other natural screens. First, Solar to Polar Ultra has the strongest natural spf on the planet, providing a higher level of protection. Second, Vivesana screens rub in completely clear – an entirely unique innovation in a field filled with white, pasty, grainy natural screens. Unless you’re looking for an opaque white finish to your ink, Vivesana is the best there is. But now we’re bragging.

5. If water is so great for your skin, why are Sana products water-free?Sana doesn’t include waterin its products for a number of reasons. First, topically applied water has no benefit to your skin. It’s not absorbed by the skin in any meaningful quantity. Second, water is the perfect place for microbes to grow. Other skin care products counteract this by using harmful synthetics to inhibit microbe growth. Lastly, water is a filler, allowing other companies stretch their product.

6. What’s the deal with aluminum? I’ve heard it causes Alzheimer’s.There are studies showing a mild link between Alzheimer’s and aluminum, and many others showing none. There also is an issue with the liners in some aluminum and plastic containers containing a nasty substance called BPA, or Bisphenol A . The concern stems from research showing that BPA leeches into everything from the water inside the bottle to the cosmetics in the container. Plastics have their own issues, including the use of phthalates and the fact that the overwhelming majority of plastic containers come from China. Whether there is in fact a link with aluminum – and we threw out our aluminum pans some time ago just to be safe - Vivesana tubes have BPA-free liner, which means our products do not touch the aluminum. The tubes are local, more sustainable, and more safely manufactured.

7. What are Parabens? I hear about them everywhere. Parabens are low molecular weight synthetic preservatives used in a wide range of personal care products. They are endocrine disrupters, which means they can interrupt and/or disrupt the flow of hormones in the body. Their primary impact appears to be as an estrogen-mimic with mild carcinogenic properties. Unfortunately, recent studies have shown that parabens can permeate the skin, enter the body and bio-accumulate. Parabens appear to be most troublesome in areas where absorption is most likely (e.g., in deodorants and shaving cream). Some studies have found a connection between parabens and breast cancer. Sana does not use Parabens, or, for that matter, any other synthetic preservative.

What do the Studio and the Takoma Park Co-op have in common? They don’t share a style or a coast, but they do share an overarching, all-consuming drive to carry the best quality products they can find. As it happens, they also began carrying Vivesana yesterday afternoon. We’re thrilled to be working with both of them, and love what the variety of approach says about Vivesana – stores from across the spectrum meet when it comes to strong, safe, stylish and effective sun care. Hurray!

The lovely people at Ecofabulous just made us blush.  Read what they had to say about the Vivesana approach to sun care.  We think they’re doing great work, too!

And read on, to see what scores of other reviewers have had to say…

We encourage all to give what they can to help. For our part, Vivesana will donate at least 50% of online sales to Haiti relief via Doctors without Borders from January 14-20.

Basking in Sunny Praise: Where to Begin?

We’re blushing.  We’ve received scores – possibly hundreds – of reviews those with the most discerning eyes of all – the bloggers.

Here are just a few notable examples of the blogs and websites that have given their thoughts.

We’ll keep posting the reviews as we find ‘em.  Click on any of the links below to see what the experts have to say…

Ideal Bite, The Style Page, Livestrong, Beauty News NYC, The Greenists, Babble, Baby Gadget, Mamaista, Cool Mom Picks, Treehugger, Quiskaeya, Mogul Baby, Nonchalant Mom, Totsnob, Smorgasbite, Beauty Snob, Re-Nest, DKmommyspot, Green Blog, Sustainability Digest, This Full House, Green Goddess Dressing, FindBuzz.com

She took some convincing – but not by us. By mom.

I sat down with Lakey and her parents on a sunny Santa Barbara afternoon. We talked about our approach to things. We were on the same page with just about everything – from the importance of organics and sustainability, to being a responsible corporate citizen, to reasons why a moisturizing, all-natural formulation is ideal for active, prolonged exposure to sun, wind, water and salt.

Lakey was a hesitant. She liked the tinted sun stick she had always used. Mom pointed out how good Solar to Polar made her skin look, and why it’s better to use nourishing natural ingredients. Lakey tried it, flashed a bright smile, and ran off to guitar lesson.

The Petersons seem like a wonderful family, which helps explain why Lakey is such a funny, energetic, charismatic young lady. She also happens to be one of, if not the, top young women surfers in America. She just won the national NSSA open women’s surfing championship. Read more here. And, we’re happy to report, she just joined the Vivesana family.

We set out to make our dream products and to build a company with a moral compass. We believed if we did things differently, and better, people would find us.  We spent years in developing our screens. We launched in worst economy in our lifetimes.

Would anyone care about organics in a downturn?  Is environmentalism truly a widespread, lifestyle-altering movement or an ephemeral fad?  Will people pay a little more for something better?

The response has been immensely gratifying and a little overwhelming. In the last two weeks alone we’ve launched in the perhaps the preeminent baby boutique in Manhattan (Yoyamart), the best skin care shop in the Hamptons (White’s of East Hampton), the biggest, most respected organic market in San Francisco (Rainbow Grocery), and one of the prettiest baby stores in LA (Bellini’s of South Pasadena).  And then there are the re-orders already piling up from stalwarts like Lazy Acres in Santa Barbara.
The blogosphere, of course, already has their own two cents on the subject (e.g., here, here, here and here and so on, and so forth) but that’s a subject for another time.

Thanks to all…and spread the word!

Why did we start with sunscreens? Lots of reasons, but most of all to resolve a central health conundrum: people complained that they were allergic to sunscreen, but the alternative was sunburns and possibly skin cancer.

Sunscreens have perhaps the widest range of skin toxins, carcinogins, endocrine disrupters and allergens in any area of skin care (outside of nail polish remover, if that counts). It’s beyond dispute that sunscreens do cause contact dermatitis in a portion of population. Or more precisely, chemical sunscreens cause contact dermatitis in some people. Chemical screens work by absorbing UV rays, while physical screens – like zinc and titanium – block and disperse rays at the skin’s surface.

We did everything we could to choose the least allergenic natural and organic ingredients we could. We were thrilled when we got our results from clinical hypoallergencity testing – not a single reaction over 8 weeks of testing.

Nothing is perfect for all people and the traditional caveats should always apply – seek medical advice with babies under 6 months, consult a doctor if a rash develops…etc – but for those with sensitive skin, it’s nice to know there may be a path that doesn’t involve reactions or sunsburns. Live Healthy!

It’s not easy to break the mold. We’ve faced industry opposition and scorn every step of the way:

~ Forget all-natural and 70% organic. It’s a pipe dream. Just throw the words around. Nobody reads.
~ Do you have any idea how much cheaper it’d be to buy your tubes from China like everyone else?
~ Forget everything else – put your money into marketing if you want to succeed. They can sell anything.

Time to prove ‘em all wrong. Take this coupon. Use it. Spread it. Have fun!

(valid online until May 5, 2009)

“Oh my God! Your sunscreens look and feel incredible. I just brought it to a meeting, and everyone in the conference room wanted to know where to get it. One guy has a kid who gets allergic to sunscreens and couldn’t wait to try it. Can I get some more?’ – Melissa, Mountain View

“Just got back from Mammoth!! Epic conditions. In the morning, really sunny, to extreme wind and freezing in the afternoon, all three days. Brutal wind up to 75-100 mph ridge gust were forecasted, so we stuck to tree skiing. Used Solar to Polar Ultra 40…And NO sunburn and more surprising, no windburn either! My friend Toby and I used it and were fine. My buddy Alex didn’t use it and had full raccoon dace with really dry windburn. Just thought you’d like to know…GREAT PRODUCT! – Steve, Ventura

“Honestly, I’m very picky about what I put on my face. I used it, grudgingly, all week on my runs on the cliffs. It’s the best sunscreen I’ve ever used. It doesn’t run, even a tiny bit.” – Wendy, Santa Barbara

“Does it say anywhere how moisturizing it is? You really should say that somewhere. ” – Mom, Philly

“I put it on my kids’ faces every day before they go to school. And of course, every time we go to the beach. They don’t mind it all, which is very unusual. And I absolutely love what it’s made of.” Tina, San Diego

Yeah, this sounds like set of cheesy infomercial testimonials. But I don’t care – developing these products took years of sweat and tears. Nothing about it was easy. We finally have our dream sunscreens, and I’m damn proud of it. There, I’ve said it, let’s move on.

My little baby boy is fearless. He’s happy to put wires in his mouth. He’s got no problem hurtling face first off the sofa. He doesn’t pause at strange faces, large animals or loud noises.

He might not last long on his own in the African savannah, or the streets of New York, but with his parents dutifully in tow, he is invincible, unbreakable, and simply one happy dude.

My goal as a parent is to let him stay happy and worry-free as long as I can. The occasional skinned knee I can live with. Other risks give me pause. It’s a complicated line to chart. When it comes to organic food and skin care, however, the decision is pretty straight-forward.

A lot of people argue organics are just a fad among the hypervigilant, neurotic, alarmist yuppie set…afterall, our parents gave us the old stuff, and we’re fine. Right? I usually direct them (politely) to the facts: technologies have changed (see, eg, nanotechnology), standards have changed (see de-funding of the FDA) and the sources of our goods have changed (see China). Sadly, the prevalence of a range of diseases have also changed.

My baby boy roams free and fearless. And I keep following him around with a grin on my face.

- Daniel

Part of Vivesana’s vision, from the outset, was that companies could both work to generate profits while working to be agents of positive change.

We decided that one of our core values was to contribute a portion of our profits to organizations who shared our values.

Supporting AMHI was a no brainer for us.  For me, personally, support of organizations in less-developed countries hits home.  I had been to Kenya in 1999, on a photo safari, and I was largely insulated from the day-to-day lives of Kenyans.  My sister, in 2003, was working in Child Protection in Northern Uganda. I had the incredibly rare opportunity to visit Northern Uganda, where she showed me first-hand how grassroots organizations in Africa could have a profound impact. 

AMHI’s impact on the lives of women and children in Malawi cannot be overstated.  In fact, I think that their accomplishments and stories stand on their own and we at Sana hope you’ll read more and support this worthwhile cause.   

www.africanmothers.org

We’re truly honored to be able to help.

It is time for corporations to behave like responsible, proactive citizens rather than uncaring profit maximizers. They have an enormous impact on everyday life. Positively or negatively, they impact the environment, they affect our health, they create (or take away) jobs and control the quality and terms of employment, they provide products or services, and they take our money. Consumers have the right, and more importantly, the power, to demand that they do the right things.

We believe there are people out there who would prefer that their consuming dollars do more than just facilitate consumption. We think it is time to use the safest ingredients, to be fair to workers, good to the environment, and to give back. We founded Sana because we believe everyone is defined by what they do. And what they don’t do. Sana does not adjust its prices to absorb the cost of responsible practices and of giving. We’re all part of the solution…and there is a way to get great products and to positively impact society.

Skin is a highly adaptable organ. At varying rates, it adjusts to all sorts of external conditions. It can cool you down (sweating), it can darken to block the sun (tanning), it can rebuild itself when injured (scabbing). When it comes to sudden exposure to dry conditions, the skin will reinforce its barrier to prevent moisture in the skin from evaporating. Thing is, it takes 3-4 weeks for cells to work from the bottom (hypodermis) up to the surface, for final shedding (desquamation). Which is why people going from temperate to dry conditions struggle more than those habituated to dry weather (we’re talking to you, people who go on ski trips or, for that matter, have cold winters). What to do? How about a little help supporting the barrier and keeping your skin hydrated?

Skin is particularly vulnerable and sensitive when it’s dry or chapped. The lack of hydration opens cracks and fissures in the skin, breaking down the skin’s physical barrier to external agents. Plus, its antimicrobial function is impaired without water.

All of this means synthetics, irritants, and carcinogens have an “in” to your skin when it’s dry, chapped and compromised. And we’re not just talking about external contaminants. The very skin care products that are meant to protect your skin in harsh elements are filled with unsafe synthetics that have a direct pathway to the bloodstream. Awfully circular, no? All the more reason to keep skin protection clean and natural, wouldn’t you say?

One of my dear friends received his sunscreen recently and called me: “What’s with this dented aluminum tube? Plastic tubes would be so much sleeker!”

“Don’t worry,” I assured him. “It hasn’t been tampered with; these packaging irregularities are totally normal for the material we chose to use.”

Yes, plastic does look pretty and doesn’t dent, but when debating between plastic tubes and aluminum ones it became clear that the benefits of sturdy, dent-free plastic did not outweigh the material’s tremendous costs to the environment.

I explained the pitfalls of plastic to my friend. “Aluminum is easily recycled into new, recyclable products!”

He still had questions.

“What about getting plastic from China? and every country in the world uses plastic, so who cares if you use a few plastic tubes?”

I told him that the energy costs of shipping plastics overseas from China are huge.

As for “every country in the world” using plastic, well, let’s take another look at that: China has already banned plastic bags, and- oh yeah- cities in our own country have, too!

We believe we’re doing the earth a favor with our decision. So when your aluminum tubes of sunscreen arrive, consider the natural variations in texture as just another beautiful element of one of earth’s most recyclable materials.