Why Shaw Naturals

Shaw Naturals is a small business founded by Nate, with a strong background and degree in Chemistry, and his soon-to-be wife, Colleen, who has a personal experience with early-stage melanoma in her late 20s. We are deeply aware of the dangers posed by harmful chemicals in many commercial products, particularly sunscreens, which often contain ingredients that are not only ineffective but also toxic and carcinogenic, especially when exposed to the oxidative stress from sunlight.

Driven by a shared passion for health, we are commitment to eliminating toxic chemicals from everyday products.

We aim to challenge the misconception that the sun is harmful and advocate for a healthier approach to sun exposure. Humans evolved to benefit from the sun’s vitamins, and with the right protection, it can be a source of nourishment rather than danger.

We are different from the others. We focus on quality over quantity. Just because others say they use natural ingredients does not mean their product is non-toxic, especially when exposed to the oxidative stress of the sun. Anybody can make a sunscreen with some fatty acids and a UV blocking mineral. What people don’t think about is how the fatty acid composition of the oils they use oxidize and turn toxic in the sun, or how the use of processed or even simply refined oils are stripped of their nutrients and antioxidants, serving no purpose except becoming more susceptible to toxicity. We use zero additives, preservatives, artificial stabilizers, or fragrances. We don’t use an excessive number of unnecessary oils or other ingredients to justify a higher price. Instead, we optimize our ingredient lists to include only the essentials—nothing more, nothing less. Of the essentials, we only use the highest quality ingredients you can find. It’s more than just eliminating the bad, it’s about choosing the right ingredients to use instead that makes all the difference.

Our sunscreen and our balms are made with 100% organic, grass-fed and grass finished beef tallow. The cows are never fed hormones or antibiotics and raised on huge pastures. There’s also pure unrefined organic mango butter, harvested through a careful cold-pressed method keeping all the vitamins and enzymes intact. We have the highest quality organic beeswax, carefully filtered to remove all impurities. If you use or body products, there’s organic extra virgin unrefined coconut oil, which is the most stable saturated fatty acid in the world and won’t ever turn toxic in the sun. For our face products we use pure organic unrefined cold-pressed golden Jojoba oil, which is technically a liquid wax ester and it nearly mimics the sebum composition of our skin.

The active ingredient that actually does the job of UV protection is Zinc Oxide. Zinc Oxide is the safest naturally occurring mineral on the planet that offers broad spectrum (UVA1, UVA2, and UVB protection - yes this is a mineral sunscreen). Not all Zinc Oxide is the same and some brands cut corners for cheaper options. We use non-nano Zinc Oxide so there is no chance of inhaling nano particles. The particles are big enough so they wont absorb into the skin, but instead sit on top of skin as a physical mineral layer, reflecting UV rays off the skin. Our zinc oxide is uncoated, meaning there are no chemical synthetic coatings surrounding the zinc oxide that may be toxic. These ingredients are carefully selected for their health benefits, with almost zero toxic polyunsaturated fatty acids (more on the dangers of these - check out “The Science” page of our website). This formula not only protects your skin from harmful UV rays but also nurtures and hydrates, offering full complete sun protection with the safest ingredients. 

The real difference in personal care products comes not from what’s added, but from what’s left out. What matters most is how those ingredients are prepared and processed, because that’s where the true quality lies.


A great example of this is the difference between organic extra virgin unrefined coconut oil and processed, refined, fractionated coconut oil. The latter is chemically altered and stripped of its antiomicrobial and antioxidant properties. Plus, the added chemicals make it less safe for your skin, while the former, in its purest form, is one of the healthiest safest oils you can use. This principle extends to every ingredient we carefully choose.

It’s not about adding more “healthy” ingredients - it’s about eliminating the harmful ingredients and focusing on the essentials. 

When creating skin balms, we focus on the goal: to hydrate and protect your skin, using only what is necessary to achieve that outcome, all while maintaining a pleasant texture and scent. We already use the best ingredients in the world for sunscreen. Take out the Zinc Oxide and you have an ingredient optimized skin balm.

The goal of topical skincare should be to use the fewest, highest-quality ingredients that effectively achieve your desired results, whether it's hydration or UV protection, and nothing more.

Non-toxic Safe Packaging

Packaging is just as important as the ingredients we use. We recognize that many consumers don’t realize that packaging can impact the purity of the product inside. That’s why we’ve worked diligently to ensure that our packaging is not only safe but also stable and of the highest quality. Glass is the safest option on the planet, as it is completely inert, meaning it’s the most resistant to UV light and heat exposure, ensuring that our products maintain their integrity over time and no chemicals leak into the product. However, we understand that some customers may prefer a more convenient packaging option, so we’ve created a high-quality, heat and UV resistant plastic alternative. This plastic is specifically designed to prevent harmful microplastics from leaching into the product, even when exposed to oxidative stress from the sun. Whether you choose glass or plastic, you can be confident that our packaging won’t compromise the purity and safety of the products inside.

Above all, Shaw Naturals is built on a foundation of integrity. We place people before profits, always prioritizing the well-being of our customers over financial gain. We are committed to sourcing only the highest quality ingredients and packaging, ensuring that every product you receive from us is safe, effective, and free from toxins. Our goal is to educate and empower consumers to make healthier choices by offering clean, natural alternatives to the products we use every day.

Materials and Processes

At Shaw Naturals, everything is carefully handmade and hand-poured. We create our sunscreen and balms using the highest-quality, all-natural ingredients. Our formula includes non-nano uncoated zinc oxide, organic grass-fed and finished beef tallow, organic unrefined extra virgin coconut oil, organic unrefined mango butter, organic unrefined jojoba oil, and organic beeswax. These ingredients are carefully selected for their natural, skin-nourishing properties and their effectiveness in providing broad-spectrum sun protection.

The process of turning these ingredients into a smooth, lotion-like sunscreen is straightforward but requires care and a perfectly balanced ratio of ingredients. We begin by very gently heating the oils and beeswax in a double boiler, maintaining a low, controlled heat. This step is crucial, as it preserves the chemical integrity of the ingredients and prevents harmful chemical reactions that can occur at higher temperatures. Once the fats and beeswax are fully melted, we carefully incorporate the non-nano uncoated zinc oxide and stir it thoroughly to ensure an even, smooth texture. After the mixture cools slightly, we transfer it into glass jars or high-quality, heat and UV-resistant plastic containers.