Raw Elements USA – Physical Eco Protection Sunscreen™ is proud to announce the launch of its new product, ECO TINT 30+ to its natural sunscreen line for June 1st, summer 2013. ECO TINT 30+ is naturally pigmented to a neutral ‘skin tone‘ color. The sunscreen stick is broad spectrum, SPF 30+ and very water resistant – 80 minutes. ECO TINT 30+ is the ideal choice for a daily moisturizing sunscreen, suitable for all skin tones and skin types while meeting the performance demands of the outdoor athlete.

“We are extremely proud to launch ECO TINT 30+. It’s extremely exciting and rewarding to be able to introduce a new product to our line that will allow us to expand our consumer base. Ultimately, this means greater reach to people with safe, natural, sun protection – that make us very happy!”
says Brian Guadagno, Raw Elements USA founder.

Raw Elements USA is the product of a 17 year ocean rescue lifeguard who’s mission is deliver the safest, most effective sunscreen in the world. This all natural sunscreen is gentle enough for use in infant care and sensitive skin yet meets the performance demands of the most extreme athletes. Carrying a #1 rating by The Environmental Working Group for safety and efficacy, Raw Elements USA is the conscious consumer’s answer to safe sun protection. ECO FORMULA 30+ lotion and ECO STICK 30+ are safe for all ages, eco & reef safe, contain over 70% certified organic ingredients, use all Non GMO ingredients and mineral zinc oxide as the sole active ingredient. Free of all chemicals, oxybenzone, parabens, hormone disrupters, preservatives, fragrances, retinyl palmitate, titanium dioxide and nano particles the sunscreen is the ideal choice for the natural consumer. The sunscreen line provides broad spectrum protection and is water resistant beyond 80 minutes under new FDA regulations. Raw Elements USA is also Leaping Bunny Certified for its commitment toward animal cruelty free products.

What really separates Raw Elements USA from any other product, natural or chemical, is it’s wide reception by both natural and active consumers alike. This is evident in its acceptance into Whole Foods Markets as well as being surfer Garrett McNamara’s sunscreen of choice on his Guinness Big World Record Wave. As a very conscious brand, Raw Elements is dedicated to educating consumers on environmental awareness, sun prevention and protection and skin cancer prevention.

Its website, www.rawelementsusa.com is a source for easy to understand information. Raw Elements USA sunscreen can now be found in over 400 surf and dive shops, natural foods stores, organic boutiques throughout the US along with many online retailers and online at
www.rawelementsusa.com.

Questions? email us! [email protected]
www.facebook.com/RawElementsUSA

www.twitter.com/RawElementsUSA

Raw Elements USA sunscreens have received top honors for safety and efficacy in The Environmental Working Group’s 2013 Sunscreen Report for the third consecutive year. Ahead of the Memorial Day holiday, The Environmental Working Group today released its 7th annual Sunscreen Guide rating the safety and efficacy of more than 1,400 sunscreens, lotions, lip products and makeups that advertise sun protection in the US market. EWG researchers found that only 25 percent of products on the market in 2013 offer strong and broad UV protection and pose few safety concerns. “The vast majority of sunscreens available to the consumer aren’t as good as most people think they are, but there are a handful of products that rise above the rest,” said Sonya Lunder, senior research analyst at EWG and lead author of the report. Raw Elements sunscreens’ top honors are largely in part of the efficacy of its active ingredient and the safety of its organic ingredients. ‘Zinc oxide is EWG’s first choice for sun protection. It is stable in sunlight and can provide greater protection from UVA rays than titanium oxide or any other sunscreen chemical approved in the U.S.’ – EWG 2013 Sunscreen Report.

Raw Elements USA is the product of a 17 year ocean rescue lifeguard who’s mission is deliver the safest, most effective sunscreen in the world. This all natural sunscreen is gentle enough for use in infant care and sensitive skin yet meets the performance demands of the most extreme athletes. Carrying a #1 rating by The Environmental Working for safety and efficacy, Raw Elements USA is the conscious consumer’s answer to safe sun protection. ECO FORMULA 30+ lotion and ECO STICK 30+ are safe for all ages, eco & reef safe, contain over 70% certified organic ingredients, use all Non GMO ingredients and mineral zinc oxide as the sole active ingredient. Free of all chemicals, oxybenzone, parabens, hormone disrupters, preservatives, fragrances, retinyl palmitate, titanium dioxide and nano particles the sunscreen is the ideal choice for the natural consumer. The sunscreen line provides broad spectrum protection and is water resistant beyond 80 minutes under new FDA regulations. Raw Elements USA is also Leaping Bunny Certified for its commitment toward animal cruelty free products.

What really separates Raw Elements USA from any other product, natural or chemical, is it’s wide reception by both natural and active consumers alike. This is evident in its acceptance into Whole Foods Markets as well as being surfer Garrett McNamara’s sunscreen of choice on his Guinness Big World Record Wave. As a very conscious brand, Raw Elements is dedicated to educating consumers on environmental awareness, sun prevention and protection and skin cancer prevention. Its website, www.rawelementsusa.com is a source for easy to understand information. Raw Elements USA sunscreen can now be found in over 400 surf and dive shops, natural foods stores, organic boutiques throughout the US along with many online retailers and
www.rawelementsusa.com.

www.facebook.com/RawElementsUSA

www.twitter.com/RawElementsUSA

Raw Elements in Carolina’s Whole Foods.

Miami Beach, FL April 24th 2013 -
Raw Elements USA - Physical
Eco-Protection Sunscreen Expands National Shelf Presence With Whole Foods Market.
Raw Elements USA – Physical Eco Protection Sunscreen™ is proud to announce regional expansion of its sunscreen products within Whole Foods Market. This season consumers can now purchase
Raw Elements sunscreen in the North Atlantic, South East and South West United States regions of Whole Foods.

“We are extremely proud and excited to have more presence in Whole Foods Market. The opportunity allows us the ability to reach many more consumers with our products. Ultimately, this means more people with safe, natural sun protection, that make us very happy!” says Brian Guadagno,
Raw Elements USA CEO.

Raw Elements USA is the product of a 17 year ocean rescue lifeguard who’s mission is deliver the safest, most effective sunscreen in the world. This all natural sunscreen is gentle enough for use in infant care and sensitive skin yet meets the performance demands of the most extreme athletes. Carrying a #1 rating by The Environmental Working for safety and efficacy, Raw Elements USA is the conscious consumer’s answer to safe sun protection. ECO FORMULA 30+ lotion and ECO STICK 30+ are safe for all ages, eco & reef safe, contain over 70% certified organic ingredients, use all Non GMO ingredients and mineral zinc oxide as the sole active ingredient. Free of all chemicals, oxybenzone, parabens, hormone disrupters, preservatives, fragrances, retinyl palmitate, titanium dioxide and nano particles the sunscreen is the ideal choice for the natural consumer. The sunscreen line provides broad spectrum protection and is water resistant beyond 80 minutes under new FDA regulations. Raw Elements USA is also Leaping Bunny Certified for its commitment toward animal cruelty free products.

What really separates Raw Elements USA from any other product, natural or chemical, is it’s wide reception by both natural and active consumers alike. This is evident in its acceptance into Whole Foods Market as well as being surfer Garrett McNamara’s
sunscreen of choice on his Guinness Big World Record Wave. As a very conscious brand, Raw Elements is dedicated to educating consumers on environmental awareness, sun prevention and protection and skin cancer prevention. Its website, www.rawelementsusa.com is a source for easy to understand information. Raw Elements USA sunscreen can now be found in over 400 surf and dive shops, natural foods stores, organic boutiques throughout the US along with many online retailers and ?????

www.rawelementsusa.com
info@rawelementsusa

Jack Marshall Shimko and Paddle2Live has been awarded the 2012 SURFER Poll “Agent of Change” award and beneficiary of VIP table sales. The award was presented on Dec. 6, 2012 at Turtle Bay on the North Shore during the Vans Triple Crown of Surfing. The 42nd annual event honoring surfing’s top athletes, films, and performances. Fans can watch to the show in its entirety at SurferPoll.com.

The Agent of Change award recognizes an individual or organization making a difference for the betterment of the surfing community. Jack Shimko and Paddle2Live will join the ranks of Dave Rastovich who received the first-ever award in 2008 for his work with Surfers for Cetaceans, Dr. Dave Jenkins in 2009 for his work with SurfAid International, the Mauli Ola Foundation in 2010, and Operation Amped in 2011.

Paddle2Live (P2L) is an adventure based organization that creates opportunities for human interaction with the ocean as a tool to fundraise, educate, inspire and improve the lives of people facing a range of physical, mental, social or economic challenges. Jack Marshall Shimko, founder of Paddle2Live was diagnosed with cancer in 2009. He chose to fight his cancer in the ocean surfing, swimming and paddle boarding. Paddle2Live has paddled thousands of miles in the open ocean in order to raise awareness and funds for foundations such as Livestrong, UCLA Jonsson Comprehensive Cancer Center, John Wayne Cancer Foundation and the Newport Aquatic Center.

“SURFER Magazine chose Paddle2Live as this year’s Agent of Change recipient because of their dedication and hard work. Our hope is that others will rise to the challenge to give back as well,” says SURFER Publisher Tony Perez. “P2L Founder Jack Shimko has inspired us all, reminding us that the ocean cures, and that we should not only be thankful for our connection to it, but also encourage others—regardless of the challenges they may face—to jump in. Thank you P2L and all those involved.”

Shimko comments “I would also like to thank everyone that has been apart of Paddle2Live in the past and everyone who is currently part of our organization. Without you guys we would not be here today. Specifically, I would like to thank Hurley, Bark Paddleboards, Quickblade, and Raw Elements for believing in us and elevating this project to new levels! We are so excited for the future of Paddle2Live and can’t wait to share our new programs, events and expeditions with you all! Thank you!”

For more information on Paddle2Live please visit www.paddle2live.org.

Wow, what a day is about all I can say!

The amount of support that was required from so many people, so many groups and all of our sponsors to put this event on is beyond belief! Before we get into the event, I just need to take the time to express my gratitude to so many people.

The Town of Narragansett has been so supportive of this event and our mission to raise awareness toward ocean and sun safety, we are so grateful! For the second year and a row we were so fortunate to have WaveJet back to host the Eco-Challenge with us again this

year. It’s so awesome to see how much focus on lifesaving WaveJet is taking with their technology. Having rescue boards with the jet propulsion allows us lifeguards to conserve energy and maneuver through conditions much more effectively. A perfect example of this was demonstrated in the monitoring of the 3 mile paddle race on 4 WaveJet Rescue Boards. I can’t thank WaveJet enough for their continued support!

Having Garrett McNamara back to host our event after claiming Billabong XXL Biggest Wave award along with the Guinness Book Big Wave World Record for his 78′ Portugal bomb this winter was outstanding! Garrett’s dedication to ocean safety and support of Raw Elements is endless. But possibly more impressive than that is Garrett’s endless positive energy. Always willing to take the time and speak to everyone with a big smile and a laugh – I’m honored to have you and Nicole as my friends!

To all family and friends for all of your support and efforts and lending of your time in advance of the event, on site with set up and manning the tents, big thanks! Especially Mike, Mom, Erin and Dan you guys were were awesome and took care of everything!!

The amount of training and effort the Narragansett Surf Rescue team puts into keeping that beach safe is endless. I think the way the day came together with crowds, sun and conditions sure put them to the test and allowed their skills to shine. It is extremely stressful and a serious job to protect the thousands of patrons on the beach and then put the race contestants into the water and make sure everyone comes back safely and in good condition. Under those conditions, the team had to come together and make some of the largest rescues of the summer, some of them with as many as a dozen victims at a time. This was all going on while the team was setting the course, determining race conditions, organizing the ocean safety plan to execute and getting the start of the race off on time! I am so proud of this team and honored to be a part of it! All the boys, all of your support over the years and your support of Raw Elements and the Eco-Challenge – it would not be possible without you, thank you so much. A HUGE thanks to Coolibar for your generous donation to keep our Lifesaving team protected!

Ok on to the event!! What a great summer day with sunny skies, what more could you ask for!? How about 3-4 foot NE wind swell!! The conditions definitely added to the energy of the day and the event. It was so great to see so many men and women come out and paddle! The event is all about you guys and we were so stoked on the turn out and how well everyone did under the conditions. For some, it was business as usual getting out past the break. For others, it was likely the first time they had attempted that and everyone battled and didn’t

give up. Everyone made it out and it was awesome to hear the crowd cheering on and rooting for every last paddler until everyone was on their way. I know there were a number of paddlers who were stoked to get out there and paddle but opted not to because of the conditions. We all totally respect knowing your personal limitations and taking a responsible approach toward ocean safety.

There were a number of close finishes and the competition was really tight! You all made

for a great, exciting day and we were thrilled to have you make the 2nd annual Waterman Eco-Challenge the day it was! We are already excited and looking forward to planning next years event!

Special Thanks to all our sponsors and supporters!
WaveJet, Raw Elements USA, Town of Narragansett, Narragansett Surf Rescue, Garrett McNamara, Nicole Macias, Warm Winds, Von Zipper, Whole Foods, Food For Thought, Sambazon, Coolibar, Wax Buddy, SunAWARE, The Jenn Lee Group, Savage Advertising, Michaela Johnson – The Rhode Show, Robb Roach -Kettle Bottom Productions & Crew, Body Glove, Reflect Sports, Kona Red, Gail Ahlers, Narrow River Kayaks, Tripp Burman Photography, US Cost Guard, Narragansett Police Boat, Joe Vingi -RI Urban Search & Rescue, Brian Lemme -Narragansett Fire, Hank Priest -Surf Shots Photography, Tracey Catherine

Brian Guadagno, Founder of Raw Elements USA
Sr. Lifeguard Captain, Narragansett Surf Rescue

Want to be involved in the 3rd Annual 2013 Waterman Eco-Challenge? Contact us today: [email protected]

Here’s the finishes and times!

In June 1997, Chicago Tribune columnist Mary Schmich decided to write a high school commencement speech. Lacking an invitation proved to be no barrier to her writing one of the most memorable commencement speeches ever—delivered or not.
Popularly known as “The Sunscreen Speech,” her article (actually titled “Advice, like youth, probably just wasted on the young”) gained worldwide fame two years later when Australian Baz Luhrmann used the text in its entirety in his song (watch video), “Everybody’s Free (To Wear Sunscreen).”

She begins her “speech” to her nonspecific audience of the class of ‘97,

“Wear sunscreen.”

“If I could offer you only one tip for the future, sunscreen would be it. The long-term benefits of sunscreen have been proved by scientists, whereas the rest of my advice has no basis more reliable than my own meandering experience. I will dispense this advice now.”

And she does. She has plenty of eloquent advice on how to live and where to live, etc. Realizing that her wisdom might be eschewed by her youthful readers, she concludes with “But trust me on the sunscreen.”

The question is, should you?

Zinc oxide is the active ingredient in today’s commercial sunscreens. Thanks to its high optical absorption in both UVA and UVB ranges, it provides very effective protection for the skin from sun damage. Driven by consumer demand for transparence, the ZnO particles are nanosize, with an average size of less than 20 nm.

Nanoparticles that are on the surface or the uppermost layer of skin—the stratum corneum—are nontoxic. However, deeper layers of the skin are “susceptible to toxicological hazards associated with extraneous nanomaterials,” according to a new paper published in the open access journal, Biomedical Optics Express.

The researchteamdrawn from Australian and Swiss universities acknowledges that the toxicity of nanoscale ZnO is still a matter of debate. However, taking the view that it is better to be safe than sorry, they report on a quantitative microscopy method for imaging nanoparticle distribution and uptake in human skin.

Quantitative evaluation of the distribution of ZnO nanoparticles on the skin is not so easy. Heretofore, available methods are limited to in vitro studies, and many had drawbacks resulting from difficulties in handling skin specimens. For example, the skin’s transport properties can be distorted during electron microscopy.

The research teamturned to nonlinear optical microscopy to image ZnO nanoparticle uptake in human skin. NLOM provides high-contrast images and, because it is noninvasive, it can be used for in vitro and in vivostudies.

NLOM capitalizes on the nonlinear optical properties of ZnO. The nonlinear optical properties of bulk ZnO are well known, but nanoscale ZnO exhibits different photoluminescent properties arising from quantum confinement effects. NLOM imaging is based on the principle of two-photon-absorption-induced photoluminescence. A laser beam scans axially through the sample, which elicits “two types of nonlinear optical interactions” at the focal volume. A light-induced variation in refractive index occurs and produces a detectable lensing effect.

Theteamstudied human skin samples treated with a commercial sunscreen, Zinclear, with a mean particle size of 21 nm. Results showed that ZnO nanoparticles were found only on the skin surface, the stratum corneum and in skin folds. No detectable amounts were found in the deeper layers of the skin.

The paper goes into depth on the physics of two-photon absorption, ZnO nanoparticle photoluminescence and the ways in which the ZnO nanoparticle distribution varies depending on whether the sunscreen solvent is organic or polar.

The bottom line is that Schmich is right, you should wear sunscreen.

Everyone’s Free to Wear Sunscreen!

Edited By Eileen De Guire • December 2, 2011

The paper is “Characterization of optical properties of ZnO nanoparticles for quantitative imaging of transdermal transport,” Zhen Song, Timothy A. Kelf, Washington H. Sanchez, Michael S. Roberts, Jaro Rička, Martin Frenz, and Andrei V. Zvyagin, Biomedical Optics Express (doi: http://dx.doi.org/10.1364/BOE.2.003321)