An Amagansett mother of two launched a new sunscreen line just in time for the hottest summer month in the Hamptons.
Kristen Peterson founded babyhampton about two years ago, concocting Premiere beach*bum SPF 30 sunscreen from organic ingredients, all because she wanted her children, Stella, 4, and Baeke, 3, to have only the best when it came to their skin. This is the first summer the sunscreen has been on the market.
Unlike other sunscreens, she said babyhampton's formula does not contain the chemicals oxybenzone, octocrylene, avobenzone, octisalate, octinoxate or retinyl palmitate. She's working on a full natural and organic children's skincare line.
Peterson answered some questions about her new business:
Q: What did you do before you started babyhampton?
After working on Wall Street for 10 years, I left the world of finance to raise a family.
Q: How did you go from wishing you had a better sunscreen for your kids to actually deciding to create a new business and make one?
It was an all-encompassing interest in everything I was using on my kids from food to products.....I read a lot of labels! And, as a result it all happened naturally out of an interest and being concerned about the ingredients in the products I was using on my children....especially sunscreen as living in a beach community and using sunscreen on my kids everyday. There is a lot to know about sunscreen that is not general knowledge and I recommend parents educate themselves about the different ingredients that go into the products. As parents we only want the best for our kids.
Q: What goes into starting your own line of sunscreen?
I researched different manufacturers and they have chemists and my experience started with the ingredients I did not want to use. I am always looking into different natural alternatives. It is a constant work in progress as I started working on a children's bodywash and lotion two years ago and I am still working on it.... and hopefully have it out next spring.
Q: What sets this sunscreen apart?
It is made with zinc oxide which is the most effective mineral that provides broad spectrum protection. Also, zinc has been used on the youngest babies in diaper rash creams. Additionally, the sunscreen is non nano which means it does not absorb into the skin line chemical sunscreens.
Q: What type of ingredients are used?
Certified organic grape seed extract, green tea and rose hip antioxidants, shea butter and extra virgin olive and jojoba oils that moisturize the skin while protecting from the sun.
Q: Is the sunscreen just for babies?
No, it's great for the whole family!
Q: Are you originally from Amagansett? How long have you lived there?
I moved out here after I got married and started a family 5 years ago but my husband has been out here since he was baby.
The collection isn't available online just yet, but can be found in some stores across Long Island, including and in Amagansett; , , , and in East Hampton; Flying Point Surf Boutique, Provisions and Sag Harbor Pharmacy in Sag Harbor; Hildreth's Children's and Second Nature in Southampton; in Montauk; and in Wainscott; and Jettie's and Kids Shock/Baby Shock in Westhampton Beach. It will be available online by the end of August.
