Go to content
parallax

COOLA is Hawaii Reef Compliant (Act 104)

COOLA is Hawaii Reef Compliant (Act 104)

At COOLA, our mission is to create suncare that’s as healthy as it is wearable. 70% or more of every COOLA formula is comprised of certified organic ingredients. We believe not only in protecting our consumers from the dangers of the sun, but also in improving the health and safety of our communities, waterways and habitats – reefs included. 

Reef safety is an evolving topic and at COOLA, we’re determined to stay on top of it, continuing to offer you the best products that also take care of the reefs located where we love to swim and surf. The Hawaii Reef Compliant Act 104, in effect as of January 1, 2021, prohibits the sale of sunscreens containing the chemicals Oxybenzone and Octinoxate in Hawaii. These chemicals can negatively impact corals and other marine life. 

At COOLA, we never use Oxybenzone or Octinoxate in our formulas, ensuring that every COOLA product you pick up meets the requirements of the 2021 Hawaii Act (Act 104). We also have a collection of 100% mineral formulas that meet the evolving requirements of certain islands.  

Understanding Chemical vs. Mineral Sunscreen 

At COOLA, we offer consumers a wide range of feel-good mineral and non-mineral sunscreen options. With the goal of preventing skin cancer, we believe the most effective sunscreen is the one you’ll love wearing everyday, which is why we are committed to creating products that feel great on skin. 

There are two kinds of sunscreen filters – mineral and non-mineral – and they work in different ways to keep you safe. 

Mineral sunscreens create a physical barrier on the skin that blocks UV rays by reflecting them away from the skin. At COOLA, our mineral collection uses coated Zinc Oxide and Titanium Dioxide filters. We combine these filters with genre-defying technology that allows our formulas to rub on sheer and feel lightweight, all while delivering powerful broad spectrum coverage, even for sensitive skin. 

Non-mineral (also known as chemical) filters are FDA-approved ingredients such as Homosalate, Octocrylene, Octisalate, and Avobenzone, that absorb UV rays, convert them into heat, and release them . Chemical sunscreens are often desired because they offer a much more transparent finish, a lighter feel, and a wider variety of applications on the skin. At COOLA, we take the FDA’s safety regulations seriously and adhere to their strict regulatory guidelines that are designed to ensure non-mineral filters are photostable and don’t break down. We also aim to use the smallest amount of non-mineral filters possible by optimizing their performance with our proprietary plant-derived technology. 

COOLA is Ingredient Conscious 

In addition to all the great ingredients we put into our COOLA products, it’s important to mention all the ingredients we choose to leave out. Our “no” list goes well beyond the industry standard. We have an extensive list of over 1400+ ingredients that we exclude from every formula, and our products are compliant with the stringent requirements in the European Union. 

Every COOLA formula is free of parabens, phthalates, synthetic fragrances, dyes, and many more. All of our scents are 100% natural, and each one is specially developed to also comply with our “no” list and to be free of any EU allergens.

See our “No” list.

COOLA, the California Organic Products Act (COPA), and the Environment

Pesticide and agricultural runoff is one of the most significant sources of contamination of our waterways and oceans.* Our commitment to using certified organic ingredients stems from our core belief in improving the health and safety of our environment.

COOLA abides by the California Organic Products Act (COPA) standards. These are the strictest standards in the nation for organic personal care. COPA states that 70%+ or more of every formula be made of certified organic ingredients. Unlike other standards (i.e. NSF, QAI, etc.), the definition does not exclude mineral actives, making our base formulas up to 99% certified organic. 

Since sunscreen filters are not plant-based and can never be organic, you can be assured that even including the sunscreen filters, 70% or more of COOLA’s full formulas (excluding water) are made of certified organic ingredients. As a result, our products as a whole support a healthier environment by leveraging responsible farming practices and minimizing the use of toxic pesticides that can pollute our land and waterways. 

We believe it’s important to look at the totality of a formula, including packaging and supply chain, when determining its value to people and the planet. 

COOLA and the Future 

At COOLA, we are constantly striving for excellence in the suncare and skincare categories. Our promise is that we will always make every effort to create formulas that are healthier for you and the environment. It’s a constant evolution on our end and our goal is to continue to be better and learn more every year.  

*https://oceanservice.noaa.gov/facts/pollution.html