Summer is a season of sunshine, swims, and salty hair. But while we love the warmth and play, our hair and skin often pay the price. UV rays, chlorine, and saltwater strip moisture, weaken the hair structure, and accelerate colour fading. And there’s something even more concerning that most people never consider: not all summer haircare products are safe for our oceans.
At Ardor Organics, we believe your beauty choices should support both your wellbeing and the planet. That’s why we’re exploring OWAY Sunway — a summer ritual designed to protect hair and body, with a conscious approach to ingredients.
But here’s the catch: while OWAY is one of the most eco-forward brands available, “reef-safe” isn’t a regulated term. So, we’ve gone in-depth, looking ingredient by ingredient at the Sunway range to give you the full picture — positives, and the few ingredients that are still debated.
The Summer Struggles We All Face
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Oxidative Stress: UV rays create free radicals that attack hair proteins and skin, accelerating ageing.
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Structural Damage: UV exposure breaks down the hair’s protective proteins and lipids, leaving it brittle.
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Dehydration: Saltwater, chlorine, sand, sweat, and heat strip natural oils, leaving hair fragile, dull, and prone to breakage.
The OWAY Sunway Ritual: Hero Ingredients
What sets OWAY Sunway apart is its foundation of biodynamic, organic, and fair-trade hero ingredients. These aren’t just “nice to have” extras — they are carefully chosen for their ability to protect, nourish, and repair hair and skin during the most stressful season: summer.
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Biodynamic Marigold Extract
Known for its incredible anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties, marigold soothes reddened, dry, or sensitive skin. Its antioxidants help fight sun-induced damage, supporting hydration and resilience. For fine, dry, or damaged hair, marigold softens strands and balances the scalp’s oil production. -
Organic Baobab Oil
Rich in fatty acids, baobab oil replenishes the skin’s lipid barrier and improves elasticity. On hair, it deeply nourishes, smooths, and strengthens, helping protect against atmospheric agents while preventing premature ageing through its antioxidant action. -
Organic Pomegranate Oil
A natural anti-inflammatory and regenerating oil, pomegranate is ideal for sensitive or irritated skin and brittle hair. It is one of nature’s strongest antioxidants, fighting free radicals and protecting against sunlight, pollution, and stress. Fun fact: it also has the highest luminous refractive index, which enhances shine. -
Brown Algae Extract (Himanthalia elongata)
This powerhouse seaweed is rich in fucosterols and carotenoids, delivering antioxidants and minerals that protect and restore skin and hair. It helps maintain collagen and elastin fibres, offering firming and smoothing effects, while shielding against UV rays, blue light, and even artificial optical radiation.
Product by Product
1. Sunlight serum
Key ingredients: Baobab oil, passionfruit oil, pomegranate oil, rice bran oil, green anise, plant-based emollients (undecane, tridecane).
Positives:
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Nourishes without greasiness.
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Protects hair from photo-agying and damage casued from sun, salt, and chlorine with natural oils and antioxidants.
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Biodegradable emollients instead of silicones.
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No chemical UV filters, no synthetic fragrance.
Negatives:
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None of concern for reef safety.
✨ Verdict: A strong reef-safe option that shields and nourishes hair while staying lightweight.
2. Antioxidant Hair & Body Bath
Key ingredients: Biodegradable surfactants, calendula, baobab, passionfruit, citrus oils, sunflower oil, yacon root juice, natural preservatives.
Positives:
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Biodegradable cleansers (gentler than harsh sulfates).
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Antioxidant-rich plant oils and extracts.
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Refreshes with essential oils of citrus and fennel.
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No silicones or microplastics.
Negatives:
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Cocamidopropyl Betaine may cause skin sensitivity for some, though not a reef hazard.
✨ Verdict: An ocean-friendly cleanser that washes away salt and chlorine while nourishing hair and skin.
Buy after sun hair and body bath here
3. Reparative Hair Mask
Key ingredients: Fatty alcohols, baobab, passionfruit, sunflower, calendula, yacon root juice, Vitamin E, conditioning agents (quats).
Positives:
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Rich in nourishing, antioxidant oils.
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Restores shine, elasticity, and softness.
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No silicones or chemical UV filters.
Negatives:
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Contains conditioning quats (Cetrimonium Chloride, Behentrimonium Chloride, etc.). These are effective for detangling and smoothness, but not as biodegradable as plant oils. OWAY uses plant-based versions, which are more eco-friendly than conventional silicones.
✨ Verdict: A deeply nourishing mask that’s much safer for oceans than mainstream alternatives, though conditioning quats aren’t “perfect.”
4. Regenerating Body Balm
Key ingredients: Rice bran, baobab, passionfruit, sunflower, grape seed, coconut, squalane, calendula, anise, citrus oils, Vitamin E.
Positives:
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Packed with organic and fair-trade oils that nourish, repair, and protect.
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Antioxidants help skin recover from sun exposure.
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No silicones or chemical UV filters.
Negatives:
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Phenoxyethanol – permitted in eco-certified cosmetics (up to 1%), safe for reefs, but controversial in low-tox spaces for being synthetic and a potential skin sensitiser.
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Synthetic polymer (Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer) – used for texture, non-bioaccumulative, but still synthetic.
✨ Verdict: A skin-soothing balm that’s largely reef-safe, with a couple of ingredients (phenoxyethanol + polymer) that are acceptable but not “ideal” from a strict low-tox perspective.
Why We Share the Whole Picture
At Ardor Organics, we don’t gloss over ingredients. Transparency matters. OWAY Sunway is one of the cleanest, most eco-conscious summer ranges available — reef-friendlier than most, loaded with biodynamic hero ingredients, and free of major red-flag chemicals.
But we also acknowledge where improvements could be made: conditioning quats aren’t fully biodegradable, and phenoxyethanol is widely accepted, but controversial as a synthetic preservative. Our commitment is to help you understand these nuances so you can make empowered, conscious choices for your health and for the planet.
Why Reef-Safe Haircare Matters
When we swim, everything on our hair and skin ends up in the water. Choosing reef-safe, eco-conscious formulas like OWAY Sunway means:
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Protecting coral reefs and marine life.
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Reducing synthetic chemicals in our waterways.
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Supporting biodynamic and fair-trade agriculture.
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Caring for your health and the planet, together.
Your Summer Ritual, Done Right
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Spray or put on hands and add the Sunlight Serum to your hair (particularly the ends) before heading out. Repeat in case of prolonged exposure.
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Wash with the Hair & Body Bath after swimming.
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Restore with the Hair Mask.
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Soothe with the Body Balm.
Ardor Organics’ Summer Tips for Healthy Hair & Scalp
Even the best products work their magic when paired with good habits. Here are our top tips to keep your hair and scalp happy all summer long:
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Slightly wet your hair before swimming
Hair is like a sponge — if it’s dry, it will soak up more salt or chlorine. Lightly wet your hair first and apply a protective serum (like OWAY Sunway Serum) to create a barrier. -
Wash hair after swimming
Always rinse or wash your hair after swimming in the pool or ocean. Leaving salt or chlorine in your hair dehydrates it even further and can cause breakage or scalp irritation. -
Don’t skip your scalp
Just like your skin, your scalp can burn and dehydrate. Use lightweight serums and scalp-friendly treatments after sun exposure to restore balance. -
Always wear a hat
A wide-brim hat not only shields your scalp and hair from UV rays but also protects your colour from fading. -
Hydrate from the inside out
Drinking plenty of water and eating antioxidant-rich foods (berries, leafy greens, nuts) helps your hair resist oxidative stress. -
Choose gentle detangling
After swimming, gently comb hair with a wide-tooth comb or detangling brush, starting from the ends. Wet hair is fragile, so avoid tugging. -
Weekly deep treatment
Summer is the perfect time to treat your hair to a nourishing mask once a week — it restores strength and shine after sun exposure. We also recommend to have regular scalp treatments to help clear away build up that can effect healthy hair. -
Protect colour vibrancy
Coloured hair fades faster in the sun and when swimming. Pair Sunway products with salon treatments designed to lock in pigment and prevent brassiness. We also love Oway bluemoon for our blonde clients. this treatment is super nourishing and will make you feel like you have had a whole colour refresh.
Summer should be about joy, not damage control. By choosing reef-safe, high-performing products like OWAY Sunway and following simple daily habits, you can protect your hair, your scalp, and our oceans — all at once.
At Ardor Organics, we’ve seen first-hand that when clients are informed and supported, they can enjoy healthy, radiant hair without compromising their values. Since starting my low-tox journey in 2011 and opening Ardor Organics in 2016, I’ve been committed to lowering toxins, choosing only the best-performing products, and supporting sustainability every step of the way.
Because in the end, it’s not about perfection — it’s about knowledge, minimisation, and making choices that align with your health and the planet’s future.
Your hair should never cost you your health or the planet’s health.
🌿The Ardor Organics Philosophy
At Ardor Organics, our mission is rooted in honesty, health, and sustainability. We believe in being transparent — no greenwashing, no vague claims. Since starting my low-tox journey in 2011 and opening the salon in 2016, I’ve been committed to sourcing only the best of the best: products that perform at a professional level while lowering toxins and supporting sustainability. For us, being low-tox is about knowledge and minimising exposure, not chasing perfection. That’s why we choose ranges with no synthetic fragrance and reduce plastic waste by stocking products in glass — stopping plastic before it’s even created, because not all coloured plastics can be recycled. At Ardor Organics, our mission is simple: your hair should never cost you your health or the planet’s health. We’re here to empower you with awareness, so you can make informed choices and enjoy beautiful, healthy hair without compromise. - Gemma x
