My Summer Essentials: Why I Don't Compromise on a Single One
My Summer Essentials: Why I Don't Compromise on a Single One
I did not set out to build a suncare brand. I set out to find one I could actually trust.
After years of reading ingredient labels, researching reef impact, and watching the clean beauty industry make promises it could not keep, I stopped looking for the right product and started building it. That is the origin of EthoSun, and it is also the lens through which I approach everything I put on my skin and bring into my summer. It is, quite frankly, the philosophy that guides every single decision I make when it comes to my body and the environment.
I am deliberate. I do not do clutter. I do not compromise. And I especially do not do ingredients I cannot pronounce applied to skin that is going to spend the next three months in serious sun. Life is simply too short, and our bodies deserve far too much respect, to settle for anything less than what we truly believe in.
Here is what is in my summer rotation this year and exactly why each one earned its place in my carefully curated collection.
1. Mineral SPF. Every. Single. Day.
This is not negotiable. This is, quite honestly, the foundation of everything. Chemical filters absorb UV radiation by converting it to heat inside the skin, which means they are essentially working beneath the surface. Mineral filters, zinc oxide and titanium dioxide, sit on the skin's surface and physically deflect UV rays before they penetrate deeper into the skin. For me, for the reef, and for anyone spending real time outdoors, mineral is truly the only answer that makes sense.
What I look for: broad-spectrum protection, non-nano zinc oxide with absolutely ZERO oxybenzone, octinoxate, octocrylene or avobenzone – The Big 4 of skin carcinogens that I simply will not tolerate. If a sunscreen cannot clear that bar, it does not make the cut. Period. There is no room for compromise here. For more information on reef-safe sunscreen practices, visit NOAA's Coral Reef Conservation Program.
2. SPF Built for the Outdoors
There is a significant difference between everyday sunscreen and sunscreen that actually holds up under real conditions. If you are sweating, swimming, or spending genuine time outside in the elements, your everyday SPF is simply not enough. You need something specifically formulated for movement, water resistance, and extended duration in the sun.
I am actively building our sports formula specifically for this purpose – serious staying power, and absolutely no excuses. This one goes everywhere with me, from the beach to a challenging hike to a full day at an outdoor event. It is the product I reach for when I know I am going to be truly exposed to the elements.
3. A Face Stick That Does Not Quit
Reapplication is honestly the step most people skip, and I understand why – it can feel inconvenient and messy. A stick format makes it effortless and genuinely convenient. No mess, no white cast, no disrupting your makeup or your flow throughout the day. Another big leap for EthoSun – a product to use on a plane, on the water, and at any point in the day when I know my face has been in the sun longer than it should be.
This is the one I will covet more than every bag I own. It is that good, and that essential to my routine.
4. A Body Oil That Works With the Sun
Summer skin is truly its own category of care, requiring a completely different approach than the rest of the year. After sun exposure, after a swim, after a long day outdoors, skin needs real replenishment and nourishment. Not fragrance. Not filler ingredients that do nothing. Ingredients that actually work and truly nourish the skin.
Body oil formulations should always have this in mind as the primary goal. It absorbs quickly into the skin, is not greasy or heavy, and actively supports skin that has been working hard all day in the elements. It is about genuine care and restoration.
5. A Lip Balm With SPF That I Actually Use
Lips are quite possibly the most overlooked surface in sun protection, and it is honestly frustrating how often this gets ignored. They have no melanin to protect them. They burn fast, and they show damage early. I am not interested in carrying a separate lip product that does not protect. Hydration and SPF in one clean formula is EthoSun's next big move, similar to our sports stick approach.
The Through Line
Every single product in my bag lineup shares the same non-negotiables: reef-safe, mineral-based, clean ingredients, and actually effective in real life. I did not build EthoSun for people who settle, nor will I settle on any other products in my own life. I built our line for people who are outside, fully alive, and paying attention to what they put on their bodies and leave behind in the water.
That is what summer essentials mean to me. Not a trend. Not a haul. A deliberate, curated set of products that work as hard as you do. Explore our full collection to find your own non-negotiables and build the summer routine you truly deserve.
Stay Wild. Stay Rebellious. Your Power Is Your Cause.
Skin First. Planet Always.
Sarah Miller , CEO and Founder, EthoSun