Most people searching for a natural sunscreen eventually hit the same wall: "does it actually protect?" Seventy One Percent is a French brand built around that question - and it gives a more specific answer than most.
The brand, the name, and where it comes from
Seventy One Percent was founded by two French surfers, Marc and Raphaël, who wanted a sunscreen that did two things at once: protect skin effectively and avoid harming the ocean. Every product is still made in France today.
The name comes from a fact that tends to get overlooked -71% of the Earth is covered by water. And the human body is roughly the same proportion. The brand is a member of "1% for the Planet" (https://www.onepercentfortheplanet.org/), committing 1% of annual revenue to ocean and environmental protection organisations.
All products are vegan, cruelty-free, and formulated without three of the most scrutinised UV filters: oxybenzone, octinoxate, and octocrylene - compounds associated with coral reef damage, and now restricted by law in Hawaii and Palau.
The brand has been covered by Vogue, Marie Claire, Elle, Cosmopolitan, and GQ.
Why UVA protection is the weak point in most natural sunscreens
Before getting to ROKA Smart UV®, it helps to understand why UVA protection matters & why it is particularly relevant in the natural sunscreen category.
UV radiation splits into two types:
1. UVB causes sunburn - we feel it directly on the skin
2. UVA is responsible for long-term damage: collagen breakdown, hyperpigmentation, photoaging. UVA rays account for 95% of all UV radiation & are present year-round - through cloud cover, in winter, through car windows, in cities.
The problem: many sunscreens protect well against UVB but lose UVA protection relatively quickly - especially in heat, through sweating, and with physical friction. This is the reason the standard recommendation is to reapply every two hours.
ROKA Smart UV® - what this technology actually is
The active ingredient in Seventy One Percent products iscalled "ROKA Smart UV®" - a patented compound developed by Spanish deep-tech company ROKA Furadada. An important clarification for transparency: this is a chemically synthesised molecule, not a plant-derived or natural ingredient - something the brand states clearly in its own documentation. Worth knowing for anyone who searches 100% natural ingredients.
The molecule's distinguishing property is photoadaptivity: it activates upon UV exposure & progressively strengthens UVA protection in response to light.
The brand claims that a single application provides UVA protection for "up to 8 hours"*. *Note: this is a claim based on the manufacturer's own testing. Independent clinical validation was not available at the time of writing.
Three sun protection products we have in Puracosa
1. Feel Free SPF50 - daily face protection and makeup base
Feel Free is a SPF50 face cream (DD-cream) designed for daily use, functioning simultaneously as sun protection, moisturiser, and makeup base. Key ingredients include hyaluronic acid, prebiotics, Acnesium™, and five organic UV filters including Tinosorb S and Uvinul A Plus - both known for photostability and broad-spectrum coverage. The finish is matte and invisible, no white cast.
2. Sun Kissed Lotion SPF50+ - high-protection body lotion
A fluid SPF50+ body lotion for active outdoor use. Also formulated with ROKA Smart UV® technology. Suited to everyday use during higher sun exposure periods.
3. Dry Sun Oil SPF30 - a 3-in-1 oil for face, body, and hair
A lightweight SPF30 dry oil, that protects and moisturises face, body, and hair in one product. The lower SPF makes it a practical everyday option for city use or days with lower sun exposure.
Why these products are at Puracosa
Seventy One Percent is not in the Puracosa catalogue because it is well known - in Estonia it is essentially unknown. The selection was based on an ingredient review and the ability to justify a price difference from pharmacy sunscreens with specific facts, not only with packaging.
Natural sunscreen is a category where "cleaner" does not automatically mean "more effective." Seventy One Percent separates itself through a specific patented active ingredient with a documented mechanism and through transparency, including the fact that ROKA is not natural.
Transparent ingredients, a documented mechanism, and nothing that belongs neither on skin nor in the ocean. That is the standard Puracosa applies when adding a new brand & why Seventy One Percent is here.
Browse the Seventy One Percent collection!