Professional Surfer Kelly Slater Is a Real Sunscreen Freak
The Freaks of Nature founder on how his passion for health and wellness led to building a longevity-focused beauty brand.
If you truly want to understand the importance of sunscreen, ask someone who’s spent decades under the sun — day in and day out. There are only a few people who could fit that description. One of them? A professional surfer, like Kelly Slater. After years of riding the waves, it dawned on Slater that sun care was essential to his routine. He spent countless hours testing products in the harsh conditions of the sport, quickly discovering that most sunscreens simply couldn’t withstand the intensity of surfing or the long hours spent outside.
“Although I’ve long touted diet and overall health as playing a strong role in how your body handles the heat, I’ve had some damage over the years that I need to be mindful of, especially on my head,” Slater tells Hypebae. After a 30-plus-year run in the water, the athlete took to the lab with a team of experts to create Freaks of Nature, a tough sunscreen designed to withstand extreme conditions while offering superior protection for those who spend time under the hot star’s rays. “At the end of the day, when I’m out of the sun and heading to bed, it feels good to trust what I’m putting on my body,” he says. Created with all-natural ingredients, the products support skin wellness and longevity.
Below, we speak to Slater about Freaks of Nature, how his career prepared him for this moment and the future of the brand.
On starting Freaks of Nature
I’ve lived in the sun and the elements since I was knee-high to a grasshopper. As a kid, I was burnt by the sun so many times that I honestly lost track. As soon as I got over being sunburned, I was straight back in the sun without any sunblock. I wanted to create a product made from clean ingredients, backed by science and built to withstand the harshest elements and sports.
On his brand’s mission
To me, the phrase “freak of nature” means something that stands out from the pack. We have so much information these days about our health, but skin health isn’t talked about. Plus, I’ve been in the ocean and the sun my whole life — surfing all day long can often mean getting fried. There aren’t many sunscreens I’ve been able to trust because so many of them are loaded with chemicals.
Inspired by nature, we launched Freaks with a simple mission — create clean, clinical skincare built for movement but designed for daily use. I need sun protection, but I also need skincare that restores and strengthens my skin both in and out of the water. All of our ingredients are bio-based and natural while also being well-researched and effective. The goal is to create products that support your skin’s longevity and are easy to use.
On his favorite products
We have a small but mighty line of products that truly work together to deliver the best results. We recently launched our “Peak Performance” SPF Sun Stick, which is probably my current favorite. It’s portable and glides directly onto the face for easy application, which is great for someone like me who’s constantly on the go. Plus, there’s no white cast — even though it’s 100% mineral SPF 50. The 80-minute water resistance is crucial since I spend long periods in the ocean and this keeps me protected. Like all of our products, it’s packed with microbiome-strengthening ingredients to help fortify your skin barrier.
On his love of skincare
I’ve always been very conscious about what I put on and in my body, but a lot of skincare products out there are filled with chemicals. That’s why I decided to create Freaks of Nature. I know my skin takes a beating from traveling and being in the sun so much, so having a product I trust and know works is a game changer.
On who inspires him
I’m inspired by more people than I can mention. I’m never short on ideas or inspiration, but I just don’t seem to have enough time for everything I love. I love travel and the memories and experiences it’s given me. I try to incorporate everything I’ve learned, seen and experienced into my future — both work and personal.
On working with athletes
We’ve got a pretty robust group of athletes around the world across different sports. All of them are unique, but they’re all “Freaks.” Carter is a 13-year-old in New Jersey who has surfed every single day for almost five years. Then we’ve got Alenka, who snowboards to base-jump off mountains. Nature and sport are our biggest inspirations, so finding more “Freaks” and partnering with them to share their stories is a big goal.
On how his career prepared him for this moment
I’ve challenged myself competitively my whole life, but this was a different kind of challenge — creating a clear, safe zinc product that’s good for the microbiome of the skin, reef-safe and endures longer than most products. I know that great things happen at the right time and this all came together with the right team when I was hoping to get into this space. Freaks is a product you can trust to protect and strengthen your skin barrier — because when you’re headed out for the day, your skin should be the last thing on your mind.
On the brand’s future
I’d love for us to expand our product range to include whatever skincare is necessary and complementary to our current products. I’d also like for our brand to become the go-to brand for anyone spending time in the elements.
While you’re here, check out our review of T3’s new intelligent hair dryer.
