When CK Kuklinski left her corporate job to live on boats and scuba dive around the world, she saw the coral reefs she explored were being damaged by the harmful products that people use on their skin and hair.
"I was in the water for eight hours a day under the hot sun," Kuklinski said. "I needed something to protect my skin and hair, but I couldn't find anything that wouldn't harm marine life when it washed off."
This discovery led her to launch KOOK, a Santa Monica-based beauty company that creates products safe for ocean ecosystems. The brand name comes from her childhood nickname and also references surf culture, where "kook" means someone new to the water.
"We're reclaiming the word 'kook,'" said Kuklinski, who has been a lifelong swimmer and became a certified scuba diver in high school. "The ocean is for everyone, and anyone bold enough to get in should be celebrated."
After diving at reefs worldwide, Kuklinski witnessed firsthand how climate change and toxic products damage ocean life. This experience became the driving force behind KOOK's mission to create sustainably manufactured products that meet strict reef-safety standards.
"People don't realize how often we apply moisturizer, skin serums, and hair products that eventually end up in our oceans," Kuklinski said. "I would rather not wear any products than risk putting something harmful into the water."
KOOK specializes in haircare products for water enthusiasts. KOOK products protect hair from sun, salt, and chlorine damage while being eco friendly. Every KOOK product is tested to ensure it contains no ingredients harmful to coral reefs.
Beyond product development, KOOK builds community through events in Santa Monica and Venice. KOOK has hosted events at JuneShine, bringing together over 100 locals for evenings of music, dancing, and ocean-themed art.
"We partner with nonprofits like SeaTrees to ensure our events support ocean conservation," Kuklinski said.
As a female founder in the competitive beauty industry, Kuklinski acknowledges the challenges but celebrates the supportive network she's found. "There's an amazing group of female entrepreneurs in Santa Monica and Venice who come with open arms," she said. "We're all ready to offer advice and show up for each other."
The brand's authentic approach to ocean advocacy resonates with consumers concerned about their environmental impact. Many traditional sunscreens and hair products contain chemicals like oxybenzone and octinoxate that can bleach and kill coral reefs. When people swim flow into ocean systems.
KOOK addresses this problem by formulating "reef-safe" products that exclude these harmful ingredients while still providing effective protection and performance. This approach represents a new generation of beauty brands that refuse to compromise between product effectiveness and planetary health.
For water lovers, KOOK products are available online and at select Santa Monica retailers. https://gotkook.com/For information about upcoming events and reef-safe beauty tips, visit their website or follow @got.kook on social media.