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For more than two decades, Letina Russell has trusted Wotnot Naturals to care for her family’s skin, from her early days of motherhood to her breathtaking whale retreats today. Her story is one of connection: to her family, to nature, and to the oceans she holds so close to her heart.

Letina first discovered Wotnot around 20 years ago, when her children were babies. Her son, Willo, suffered from severe eczema, and after trying countless other brands that left his skin dry and irritated, she found relief in Wotnot’s SPF 30 Natural Sunscreen.

“I tried so many other brands, but they just dried out his skin,” Letina recalls. “Wotnot was the only one that kept his skin calm, hydrated, and protected, he never had a reaction.”

From that point, Wotnot became a staple in her home. What started as a gentle solution for her baby’s sensitive skin evolved into a trusted range of everyday essentials.

Even after all these years, the SPF 30 Natural Sunscreen remains her family’s favourite, loved for its hydrating formula and skin-friendly protection.

From Skin Protection to Ocean Connection

Today, Letina leads Whale Wisdom Attunement Journeys, intimate retreats that bring women together to reconnect with themselves and the ocean through breathwork, meditation, and guided whale swims.

For Letina, sun protection is more than a skincare step, it’s about caring for both her body and the sea around her.

“It’s reef-friendly, which is number one for me,” she explains. “It doesn’t damage our oceans or the whales.”

During her multi-day retreats, Letina provided her guests with Wotnot’s SPF 30 and SPF 50 Natural Sunscreens to ensure everyone stayed protected under the sun.

“We spend hours in the water and never burn,” she says. “It never stings my eyes when I’m wearing my mask or snorkel, and it keeps our skin hydrated. It’s so light it feels like I’m not wearing anything, even though I know I’m really protected.”

Her guests agree, including one participant, Pip, who was amazed by the results.

“I burn so easily,” Pip shared. “But I put this sunscreen on every day, and it’s incredible.”

Sun-Safe Simplicity for Life on the Go

On her most recent ten-day whale retreat, Letina discovered a new favourite, the Wotnot Zinc Stick SPF 50+.

“It’s perfect for top-ups during the day,” she says. “You just swipe it on, and it rubs in so easily, no white residue, no greasy feeling. It’s so quick and convenient, especially when you’re out on the water.”

Whether she’s leading a meditation circle on deck or guiding her group through a whale swim, Wotnot’s reef-safe sunscreens keep her team protected, naturally, effortlessly, and ethically.

Everyday Radiance with Wotnot Beauty

When she’s not at sea, Letina keeps her skincare routine simple and natural. Her everyday go-to is the Wotnot BB Cream SPF 50+, which she mixes in Beige and Tan to find her perfect shade. Her two daughters use it too, a touch of BB Cream, a hint of bronzer and blush, and they’re ready for the day.

“It blends perfectly and feels like skincare, not makeup,” she adds.

A Shared Vision: Care for Skin, Care for the Planet

For Letina, the connection between her work and Wotnot runs deep. Her retreats teach women to “live from the heart space” and recognise the power of gentle care; values that align beautifully with Wotnot’s commitment to nurturing people and the planet.

From nurturing her family’s skin to protecting the ocean she loves, Letina’s journey with Wotnot is built on care that runs deep. Her story shows how simple, conscious choices can make a lasting impact, for ourselves, our families, and the planet.

We all know sunscreen is meant to protect against harmful UV rays. But what if some sunscreens were also exposing you to hormone-disrupting chemicals?

The Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) — Australia’s health regulator — recently announced they will review the upper limits of certain chemical UV filters in sunscreens. This follows global research showing some ingredients can act as endocrine disruptors, meaning they can interfere with your body’s natural hormones.

What Are Hormone-Disrupting Chemicals in Sunscreen?

Hormone disruptors — also called endocrine disruptors — are chemicals that can mimic, block, or interfere with the body’s natural hormones. This can affect everything from mood and metabolism to reproductive health.

International studies have linked some chemical sunscreen ingredients — including oxybenzone, octinoxate, and homosalate — to hormone disruption, especially when used at high concentrations.

These chemicals are:

·       Common in conventional sunscreens sold in Australia

·       Absorbed into the skin, with some detected in blood samples days later

·       Potentially harmful to the endocrine system, especially with repeated daily use

For a safer option, learn more about our natural zinc oxide sunscreen which contains no hormone-disrupting UV filters.

Why is the TGA reviewing the concentration of these chemicals in Australian Sunscreen

Your hormones are your body’s communication system. Disrupting them can affect:

·       Reproductive health

·       Thyroid function

·       Growth and development

·       Mood, sleep, and energy

Here’s the kicker — Australians are encouraged to wear sunscreen daily and reapply often. That means long-term, repeated exposure if your sunscreen contains these chemical filters.

For daily wear, see our face sunscreens and BB creams designed for sensitive skin.

How Australia Compares to the Rest of the World

Countries like the EU and Japan have already set lower maximum limits for some of these chemicals — or banned them altogether. Australia, however, is only now beginning to review these limits, meaning our sunscreen standards are behind the rest of the world.

Discover how our natural sunscreen range meets or exceeds international safety standards.

Wotnot Naturals’ Position on Safe Sunscreen

At Wotnot Naturals, we’ve always believed sunscreen should protect your skin — not play with your hormones.

Our sunscreens are:

·       Free from hormone-disrupting UV filters

·       Made with natural zinc oxide as the active UV blocker

·       TGA-approved and broad spectrum (UVA & UVB)

·       Reef-safe and suitable for sensitive skin — including babies and children

·       Designed to sit on top of the skin and reflect UV rays, rather than being absorbed into your bloodstream

The TGA’s review is a welcome step — but while they work on updating the rules, you can already choose safer, natural alternatives.

Switch to a sunscreen that blocks the bad stuff — UV rays and unnecessary chemicals.

• Light coverage for a natural, even complexion

• Moisturiser to hydrate the skin

• SPF for sun protection

• Mineral zinc SPF 40 for high-level protection

• Brightening & anti-ageing ingredients like green tea extract and jojoba oil

• 6 benefits in 1 tube (hydration, primer, SPF, coverage, brightening, anti-ageing)

• BB Cream with SPF = Great for daily incidental sun exposure (school runs, commuting, office days).

• Sunscreen = Essential for prolonged outdoor exposure (beach days, hiking, sports).