Outdoor Skincare®
We believe getting outdoors and into the sunshine is an essential for happiness and health.
As much as we love being outdoors, it means we expose our skin to elements like sunlight, wind, pollution, and extreme temperatures. These elemental conditions can cause sunburn, skin aging, and an increased risk of skin cancer, not to mention skin irritation and dryness.
Utu is the innovative skincare-suncare hybrid for all those who don’t want to choose between SPF performance and advanced skin nourishment. We know skincare without suncare isn’t skincare at all.
Who Is Utu?
Named after the ancient Sumerian god of the sun, we’re on a journey to protect and rejuvenate our skin and our relationship with the outdoors. To connect with your truest self, we know you need to step away from the hustle and grind, escape your thinking brain, and tune in to the Earth. We can help with that.
Sustainability
Protect, nourish, rejuvenate
We believe that like our skin, our planet and the natural world must be protected, nourished, and rejuvenated. We are part of a much bigger picture, connected to everyone and everything around us and we all share in a responsibility of care, it’s as simple as that.
From day one we set out to use zero-plastic in our packaging. We believe you deserve to choose products that perform and deliver without fueling the constant use of a material that is polluting us and our planet. We make every effort to source non-plastic packaging and when this is not possible, we will ensure any plastic used is reusable.
Our Ingredient Philosophy
At Utu, we believe getting outdoors should never come at the cost of your health, your skin, or the planet. That’s why we formulate all our Outdoor Skincare® with an unwavering commitment to clean, high-performance ingredients that do more than just protect - they nourish, repair, and support your skin in all environments and conditions.
We use only the finest skincare actives and botanicals, carefully selected for their ability to defend against UVA and UVB rays and the full spectrum of environmental stressors - wind, saltwater, temperature extremes, altitude, sweat, pollution, and sun exposure. This is the foundation of Outdoor Skincare®: modern SPF skincare designed not just for safety, but for skin vitality.
Our sun protection comes exclusively from non-nano zinc oxide, a mineral filter globally recognized as the safest and most effective broad-spectrum (UVA + UVB) ingredient. Non-nano means the particles are too large to penetrate the skin or bloodstream. Instead, they sit gently on the surface, forming a physical barrier that reflects harmful rays - without the irritation, hormone disruption, or eye-sting of chemical filters. Non-nano zinc oxide is also the most reef-safe option available, making it safer not just for your skin, but for rivers, lakes, and oceans too.
We never use chemical UV filters, including oxybenzone or octinoxate (banned under Hawaii Act 104), nor will you find parabens, PEGs, petrolatum, synthetic fragrance, sulfates, phosphates, or formaldehyde in any of our formulations. Instead, our products are rich in skin-repairing and replenishing ingredients like sea buckthorn, astaxanthin, snow mushroom, hyaluronic acid, sesame oil, and antioxidant-rich botanicals—all chosen for their ability to work in harmony with the skin’s natural barrier.
Utu is proudly cruelty-free and Leaping Bunny certified. That means no animal testing, no exceptions, and no hidden compromises in our supply chain.
This is skincare formulated by and for people who love spending time outdoors. For those who move, meander, run, ramble, hike, row, recline, swim, scramble, climb, surf, sail, summit, or ride….and want formulas that are safe, effective, and radically transparent.
With Utu: Sunshine looks great on you®
Astaxanthin
Astaxanthin is a potent antioxidant that can help protect against sun damage, improve skin hydration, even out skin tone, and soothe and calm irritated skin. helping to keep the skin looking radiant, and healthy.
Ceramide NP
Ceramide NP is a powerful lipid that helps strengthen the skin’s natural barrier, locking in moisture and protecting against environmental stressors, making it essential for maintaining healthy, hydrated skin in even the harshest outdoor conditions.
Cocoa Butter
Cocoa butter is a natural moisturizer that deeply hydrates and nourishes the skin, improving elasticity and protecting against free radical damage. Its anti-inflammatory properties can soothe irritation and reduce the appearance of blemishes. Cocoa butter also improves skin texture, leaving it soft and smooth.
Hyaluronic Acid
Hyaluronic acid is well known as one of the most effective humectants, it helps retain moisture and keep the skin hydrated, plump, and supple. Additionally, it can help restore the skin's natural barrier function, which shields it from external aggressors. With daily use, hyaluronic acid can rejuvenate the skin's texture, leaving it looking radiant and glowing.
Jojoba Oil
Organic jojoba oil is a natural moisturizer that can hydrate and balance the skin's oil production. Its antioxidants and anti-inflammatory properties can protect the skin from free radical damage, soothe irritation, and improve the overall appearance. Jojoba oil is non-comedogenic and suitable for all skin types, including sensitive skin.
Non-Nano Zinz Oxide
Non-nano zinc oxide is the hero in every Utu SPF formula. It's a mineral sun filter that forms a physical barrier on your skin - not in it - to reflect harmful UVA and UVB rays. That “non-nano” distinction means the particles are too large to penetrate your bloodstream, making it safer for both your body and the environment.
Zinc oxide is also the gold standard for clean SPF. It’s one of only two UV filters the FDA classifies as GRASE - Generally Recognized as Safe and Effective. The other is titanium dioxide. None of the currently approved chemical filters, like avobenzone or octocrylene, share that status and the FDA has mandated that additional safety testing, including on animals are required before they are considered.
At Utu, we choose non-nano zinc oxide exclusively because it delivers broad-spectrum protection, is reef-safe*, and is trusted for even the most sensitive skin. Beyond UV defense, it’s also anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, and microbiome-friendly—helping to calm redness, support skin recovery, and keep your skin barrier balanced in the face of the elements.
*Hawaii 104 compliant
Sea Buckthorn
Sea buckthorn is rich with antioxidants that help promote skin hydration, soothe irritated skin, and reduce redness. Its omega fatty acids nourish and protect the skin, helping to maintain a healthy and vibrant appearance. Moreover, sea buckthorn can also brighten the skin, even out skin tone, and improve its radiance.
Sesame Seed Oil
Sesame seed oil is rich in antioxidants and vitamins, has anti-inflammatory properties, can help protect the skin from harmful UV rays, and nourish it due to its high content of fatty acids.
Snow Mushroom
Snow Mushroom (Silver Ear Mushroom) is a natural hydration powerhouse that can hold up to 500 times its weight in water, helping to deeply moisturize, plump, and soothe the skin while promoting a smooth, radiant complexion.
Squalane
Squalane is a non-comedogenic and lightweight oil that effectively hydrates and nourishes the skin. Its properties contribute to enhancing skin elasticity and brightening the complexion. Additionally, it contains anti-inflammatory and antibacterial benefits, which help soothe skin irritation and prevent breakouts.
Vitamin C& E
Vitamin C helps brighten the skin and improve its overall radiance by reducing the appearance of dark spots and hyperpigmentation. It also can boost collagen production, which helps keep the skin firm and radiant, while also providing protection against environmental stressors such as UV rays.
Vitamin E is a potent antioxidant that can help protect the skin against damage from free radicals. It also has anti-inflammatory properties.
Together, Vitamins C and E can work synergistically to provide even greater benefits for the skin, including protecting against sun damage, reducing the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, and promoting a brighter, more glowing complexion.