People4Ocean
Founded by marine biologists in the search for high-performance natural sun protection
People4ocean (P4O) sunscreens deliver on quality and sensory, while excluding all skin & ocean pollutants.
People4ocean is on a mission to protect, nurture and restore the beauty and wellbeing of people and oceans. Merging marine and dermal sciences, they pioneer clean, inclusive and sustainable sun care.
FOUNDERS' STORY
Louise Laing and Austin Laing-Herbert met while studying marine biology on the Great Barrier Reef. After earning their Masters degrees from James Cook University, they moved to the Indian Ocean, where they spent five years restoring coral reefs in Mauritius and Seychelles. Their work focused on the delicate ecosystems of these regions, aiming to rejuvenate and protect the coral reefs from various environmental threats.
In 2016, new scientific research led them to question the safety of ingredients used in chemical sunscreens. They discovered that many sunscreen ingredients contribute to marine pollution and the global reef crisis. Laboratory tests showed that these chemicals can inhibit coral growth, are toxic to several coral species, and likely cause coral bleaching, increasing reef sensitivity to climate change. Recognizing similar harmful effects on human health, they returned to Australia in 2018 and founded People4Ocean Sun Care. Their mission is to eliminate harmful ingredients from sun care products to protect both people and the oceans. They continue to work as reef scientists, consulting on conservation projects in Fiji, French Polynesia, and the Great Barrier Reef.
