The Lake Safe Standard
A deeper look at how it works, why it exists, and how it is applied
Why the Lake Safe Standard Exists
Freshwater environments are different from oceans.
Lakes, rivers, and public swimming areas are often enclosed or semi-enclosed systems. What enters them does not disperse quickly. Substances introduced near shorelines, by swimmers, in bathing areas can accumulate over time.
Sunscreen is widely used around freshwater, by swimmers, families, hotels, and public facilities, yet guidance for these environments has historically been limited, inconsistent, or difficult to enforce.
The Lake Safe Standard exists to address this gap.
It provides a clear, precautionary reference for sunscreen use in shared freshwater environments, without banning sunscreen or compromising sun protection.
What Lake Safe Is, and What It Is Not
Lake Safe is a standard, not a law.
It is voluntary, educational, and practical.
Instead, it recognises a simple reality: In shared waters, education and choice are more effective than enforcement.
The Risk Context: Shared Water
Most sunscreen enters freshwater in predictable ways:
- Near shorelines
- In shallow swimming areas
- At public bathing facilities
- From repeated daily use by many people
These zones are also where:
- People swim close together
- Children play
- Aquatic life is most concentrated
The Lake Safe Standard focuses on this real-world use context, rather than abstract environmental claims.
The Precautionary Approach
Lake Safe follows a precautionary principle:
When scientific certainty is incomplete, simpler and more conservative choices reduce unintended impact.
Rather than evaluating every ingredient individually in isolation, the standard prioritises:
- Fewer ingredients
- Well-understood mineral UV filters
- Formulations suited to repeated use in shared waters
This makes the standard clear, readable, and adoptable.
Core Criteria of the Lake Safe Standard
How Lake Safe Is Applied in Practice
Lake Safe can be applied by:
- Individuals choosing sunscreen for freshwater use
- Families and swimmers
- Public swimming areas and Badis
- Hotels, resorts, and spas
- Retailers and brands seeking clearer guidance
The standard helps answer a simple question: “Is this sunscreen appropriate for shared freshwater environments?”
Why Education Matters More Than Enforcement
Even in regions where certain sunscreens are restricted, enforcement is difficult:
- Products are brought from elsewhere
- Visitors are unaware of local rules
- Policing personal care products is impractical
Lake Safe addresses this by:
- Making responsible choices visible
- Supporting informed purchasing
- Encouraging people to “vote with their wallet”
Education scales. Enforcement does not.
From Understanding to Action
Lake Safe is designed to move people from:
- Awareness → understanding → better choices
Those who wish to go further can:
- Self educate on the Lake Safe criteria
-Apply the standard in facilities, leisure or retail environments
- Use Lake Safe-aligned reference products
- Support broader education and adoption and share this message far and wide
A Shared Responsibility
The Lake Safe Standard is not about eliminating sunscreen.
It is about protecting people and aquatic life together, through informed, precautionary choices in environments we all share.
Lake Safe Facility Starter Pack
Swiss heritage Sunscreen
PURU is a Swiss-founded natural sun care brand established in 2016 and the official reference implementation for the Lake Safe Standard.
The formulation reflects Swiss precautionary principles and provides a practical, real-world example of how Lake Safe criteria can be applied in shared freshwater and swimming environments.
LAKE SAFE–ALIGNED FORMULATION
PURU sunscreen is formulated in alignment with the Lake Safe Standard.
It relies exclusively on non-nano mineral UV filters, uses short and readable ingredient lists, and avoids unnecessary additives — supporting more responsible sunscreen use near lakes, rivers, and shared swimming areas.
DESIGNED FOR FACILITIES & SHARED SPACES
This starter pack is intended for facilities, retailers, and hospitality settings that wish to make responsible sunscreen choices visible and easy to adopt.
It supports staff guidance, guest awareness, and on-site availability aligned with the Lake Safe Standard. Modern non-nano mineral formulations allow for effective protection without a visible white cast, reducing a common barrier to consistent use and helping sunscreen be applied correctly in shared swimming environments.
What's Included:
8 × 100 ml SPF 50;
4 × 100 ml SPF 30;
10 × 15 ml SPF 50;
10 × 15 ml SPF 30;
10 × 4.3 ml SPF 50 face & lip sticks;
8 × Baby & Kids Mineral Sunscreen SPF 50;
Lake Safe Materials
- 3 x Lake Safe emblem stickers (water-resistant)
- Lake Safe Table Top Sign with Wooden Stand
- Digital Lake Safe badge (download)
- Lake Safe Fact Sheet (Multilingual ENG, DE, FR, IT)
- Lake Safe Flyer (Multilingual ENG, DE, FR, IT)
- More Materials available on request