Miami Native Realizes Dream of Using Ocean Water to Create Skincare Products

ORLANDO, Fla. – For as long as he can remember, Rick Fox has loved and appreciated the sea. Whether he’s diving or beach-combing, the ocean is - and always has been - a key part of his life. Now, as the founder of SeaQuarius Skincare LLC, it has become his livelihood. A native of Miami, Fox started Orlando-based SeaQuarius in 2008 with little more than an idea and a desire. The idea was to create a line of skincare products that would use beneficial sea minerals and exotic sea plant life to cleanse and nourish skin. The desire was to create such products that other ocean-loving people would benefit from in their daily skincare routine. Fox, 43, said he realized the healing properties of the sea when he was a teen-ager prone to acne. “When I spent some time in the mineral rich seawater, my acne cleared up,” he said. “I thought; this water is special and could be used as the cornerstone of a skincare business.” The idea was shelved for 25 years. SeaQuarius LLC was enrolled as a client of the University of Central Florida Business Incubation Program in Orlando, where Fox – a graduate of Florida State University – spent many hours working out exactly what kind of company and which specific products he wanted to create. After receiving mentoring help from site managers and advice from business executives affiliated with the program, he left the incubator in 2011 and started putting what he had learned to work. Now, after years of research and development through close collaboration with Dermal Doctors, Cosmetic Chemists and Marine Biologists, SeaQuarius is a reality. And, the results – “Sea Clean,” a foaming facial wash with purifying seawater and gentle coconut derived cleansers; “Sea Serum,” a firming, moisturizing and collagen re-structuring serum; and “Sea Cream,” rich and nutritious ocean ingredients formulated into a light, non-greasy and absorbable cream – are available online at www.seaQuarius.com and www.OceanSkincare.com. Fox said SeaQuarius Skincare products are derived from natural and sustainable marine ingredients that originate in the vast oceans and seas around the world. “We do not use artificial colors or fragrance, harsh chemicals, sulfates or petrolatum. Our partner ingredient supply companies conduct their aquaculture and harvesting practices in an environmentally friendly and ecologically sound manner. This is very important to us since first of all, we love the ocean!” “We help our customers achieve nourished, healthy, and vibrant-looking skin,” he said. “We do this by combining the finest ingredients the ocean has to create unique facial products that gently cleanse, hydrate and balance your skin.” The three products are just the beginning, according to Fox. He’s currently working on a sun-care product with SPF and an after-sun lotion that he hopes to have available soon.