TROPIC DISCOVERY'S KULEANA.
Kuleana is one of the values of Aloha. One’s personal responsibility and sacred duty, “I accept my responsibilities and reasons for being, and I will be held accountable”. We don’t have the heart to create a product that could harm people, animals or plants. As a Hawaiian company, we must protect our Ohana, and that includes all life around us (near or far).
Along with our adventure, we have encountered many challenges, between biodegradable packaging and eco-friendly ingredients, but it has been worth it. So far this is what we are about:
FDA’s Grace
We have always known that our skin care was destined to be unique, and the reason we knew was because we were not going to use “fake” SPF protection. Tropic Discovery set out to find all those plants, vegetables, nuts and fruits that will provide the sun protection we needed (an SPF salad). It actually was tremendous fun! The first formulas were created inside the kitchen of our Lahaina home and were tested on us. We certainly had some laughs, especially because without knowing it, we were becoming some sort of scientists. Of course, we sent it eventually to the lab to get the final approval.
We came up with a formula that contains natural/mineral ingredients approved by the FDA, and that work wonders for us and our precious sea life. Actually, if you somehow ingest a little by accident, you would probably just get a tiny nutrition boost! Between the vitamins in the plant-based oils and even the synthetic zinc which is also used on cereals, nutrition drinks and bars, you should be fine. Still, we don’t advice you to ingest on porpoise and the reason why? Because our bodies need a certain percentage of nutrients daily, not all of them at once in bulk.
We are currently working on getting the final formula approved by the FDA, but in a sense, we already comply with it, because our main components have been approved by them some time ago.
safe for all living beings
It turns out that without doubt, the FDA thrives to work in the best interest of humans, but sadly it has failed in the coral reef and marine lives’ department. When they approved oxybenzone or benzophenone-3, they did not realize that even though it seems like a safe idea back then, today it has been proven to not only be harmful to coral reefs but to humans as well.
It is a component of many sunscreen lotions and is used as an additive in plastics to protect them from UV degradation. Yes is used in PLASTIC TOO.
Among common sunscreen chemicals, oxybenzone is associated with allergic reactions triggered by sun exposure.
Online Resources:
In a study of 82 patients with photoallergic contact dermatitis, over one quarter showed photoallergic reactions to oxybenzone.
In a 2008 study of participants ages 6 and up, oxybenzone was detected in 96.8% of urine samples. Humans can absorb anywhere from 0.4% to 8.7% of oxybenzone after one topical application of sunscreen, as measured in urine excretions. This number can increase after multiple applications over the same period of time. Oxybenzone is particularly penetrative because it is the most lipophilic of the three most common UV filters.
Either way, we must avoid ingredients like oxybenzone and octinoxate, they are only bad news. To learn the truth about UV protection, skin cancer, and coral reefs go to our about page.
Cradle to Cradle
I like to call it, the bible on how every product should be created: The Cradle to Cradle book. This masterpiece has many intense and TRUE statements, but the most fascinating is about challenging us to create products that are sustainable from the start! B-E-A-U-T-I-F-U-L. The most impressive example named in the book comes from the author explaining how humans are the only ones in nature that produce waste. Nature has a perfect and synchronized way of interacting, where NOTHING is lost. Even when a plant or an animal dies, it closes the cycle by nurturing the soil or other animals.
We have been certainly trying to make Bill McDonough (the author) proud, and so far, we have managed to close the cycle of our product. Between manufacturing locally, buying ingredients within the USA, and using packaging that is BIODEGRADABLE.
All-TEMPERATURE PROTECTION
YES! You worry about your skin only when you come to beautiful Hawaii? NOOOO, is actually at every level of temperature that you should always seek protection and moisture.
According to the Skin Cancer Organization, "as the temperature keeps dropping, you may be bundled up nicely against the cold; but are you sun protected? No matter how many layers we wear, one part of the body – the head and neck area – tends to remain exposed to the sun’s damaging ultraviolet (UV) radiation year-round. Not coincidentally, the face, head, and neck are where the majority of skin cancers occur". WebMD, explains: "UV radiation doesn't necessarily depend on temperature or season, as more people get sunburned in Australia in the cooler days of fall and spring, says Craig Sinclair, chairman of The Cancer Council Australia's skin cancer committee. It is reportedly likely that UV light can cause more damage at this time because people don't normally think of sun protection during the fall and winter".
Again, this is not purely an Aussie phenomenon. Sinclair notes that worldwide, UV radiation goes up 3% for every 400 meters (about 1,312 feet) of altitude. Plus, UV light is reflected from snow (about 80%), and from clouds on overcast days. This could mean a double dose of exposure. Therefore, ALWAYS protect and moisturize your skin.
so much to learN
Ha’aha’a, the value of humility. “Be humble, be modest, and open your thoughts”. The Cradle to Cradle book describes how everything on our planet would be so much better if we learn to be humble and allow nature to teach us how is done, instead of just taking away from it. How would it be if we were to adapt our lives to our surroundings, instead of cutting down everything and killing all living beings? Somehow, animals and plants have managed to survive and thrive since the beginning of time. They must be doing something right! If you think about it, we have to artificially create so many features that they have mastered, such as?, not only protecting themselves effectively from the UV rays but mastering photosynthesis!
