On learning about the damaging effects sunscreen has on the ocean – as well as on our health, young Palauan entrepreneur Miel Sequeira-Holm began searching for a better alternative – and created reef safe sunscreen Pura Vida Palau.
“I’m passionate about ocean conservation,” Miel told Pacific Island Paradises magazine on our recent visit to the beautiful Republic of Palau.
In 2018, she started learning how chemicals in commercial sunscreens were contributing to coral bleaching: “That’s when I came across a crazy — and unfortunately true — statistic: around 14,000 tons of sunscreen end up in the ocean every year. I thought, ‘We’re a world leader in ocean conservation. Do we even have reef-safe sunscreens?’ The answer was no. And that didn’t sit right with me.
“Many sunscreen products and other body care products contain chemicals and synthetic fragrances that have also been shown to disrupt our endocrine system and hormones.”
Sustainable & locally sourced
Seeing an opportunity to make a difference, Miel began developing a sustainable and locally made sunscreen solution for Palau.
Embracing her gap year with enthusiasm, Miel was also driven by the support of her parents, Tarita Holm and Pierre Besebes, who helped source ingredients as well as packaging – she uses aluminum tins instead of plastic tubes or bottles.
Also putting her artistic talents to good use, she designed the original beautiful packaging, as well as coming up with the distinctive name. “I am Palauan, American, and Costa Rican, and was born and raised here in Palau. ‘Pura Vida’ which means pure life, is a Costa Rican phrase I grew up hearing from people who knew my biological dad, Luis Sequeira, who was Costa Rican. However, Pura Vida is more than a phrase — it’s a mindset; a way of living simply, gratefully, and in harmony with nature.”
Natural ingredients
Pura Vida Palau customers also need not worry about how the ingredients might affect their bodies or the environment. Harmful chemicals are avoided – only reef-safe mineral-based UV filters are used. “We use non-nano zinc oxide as our active ingredient in our sunscreens and essential oils instead of synthetic fragrance. Natural ingredients such as organic Palauan coconut oil are used, that are sustainably sourced here in Palau.
“I believe being Palauan has instilled in me important values such as respect for others and our environment. Also I grew up around strong women conservationists that I looked up to – my mom, my aunt Tiare Holm, and my grandmother Paula Rivera.”
In 2019, Palau passed the world’s first ban on reef-toxic sunscreens. “That moment affirmed I was on the right path.”
Social vision
To reach online markets, Miel built and launched the Pura Vida Palau website in July 2022, and orders started flowing in.
“My vision for the site evolved into something bigger: a platform for authentic, Palauan-made products, where I could support other Palauan entrepreneurs too.
“This journey has shown me what it means to be a social entrepreneur — to solve a social or environmental problem.”
Info and products: puravidapalau.com