Introduction
Sylvain Horwood innovates natural health. He founded PURU, Switzerland’s top sun care brand. Additionally, he authored The Sun. The Sun transcends a typical book—it’s a guide to natural harmony. Blending clear science, practical tips, and timeless wisdom, it makes a compelling case for embracing sunlight wisely. His work highlights sunlight’s benefits. He debunks myths about UV exposure. Consequently, he empowers conscious living. He is also founder of Pureternia, a holistice natural skincare brand to enhance beauty and improve overall anti-aging effects. Addiitonally, he has authored another book called The Frequency Diet where he informs readers of the benefits of an all-natural diet that enhances natural heatlh and vitality from within. In this feature, we explore his vision.
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Beverly Hills Magazine: Welcome!
Sylvain Horwood: Thanks for having me.
Beverly Hills Magazine: Of course. I’m so excited to dive in. Why don’t we get started with you telling a little background about yourself?
Sylvain Horwood: Sure. I’m originally from the UK, born in London, and grew up on a macrobiotic organic diet in the 80s, before it was cool. My parents were into holistic health early on. I had a career, grew up, and was educated in London and England, then moved to Switzerland, Zurich, about 10 years ago. Initially, I found it hard to find natural products I was used to in England. So, I started mixing coconut oil, cacao butter, essential oils, and other exotic ingredients in the kitchen, making basic sunscreen. That led to founding my own company, Puru Swiss, now Switzerland’s number one natural sun care brand.
Beverly Hills Magazine: Congratulations, that is incredible and so amazing.
Sylvain Horwood: Thank you.
Beverly Hills Magazine: You’re a Godsend for us vegan holistic types. The other day, I was putting on sunblock, thinking, do I need this? There are so many chemicals in it. Then you appear.
Sylvain Horwood: Our sunscreen isn’t strictly vegan because it has organic beeswax, a contentious ingredient for some vegans. We ensure no cruelty in extracting it. It’s 100% natural and mineral-based.
Beverly Hills Magazine: I don’t know the difference between mineral-based and chemical sunscreen, but I want to use mineral-based. My sunscreen has chemicals, so I wonder if there’s another option or what happens without sunscreen. We’ve been taught we need it. Tell me the difference and why we require sunscreen or not.
Sylvain Horwood: It’s trending in holistic realms to avoid sunscreen. There are valid points there. None may be better than chemical sunscreen. If you’re spending prolonged time outside, playing sports, in mountains, or on water where UV waves reflect, especially from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., more than one or two hours can cause sunburn for most skin types. I’m Scottish-Irish with the whitest skin, so I need a wide-brim hat and sunscreen. Fairer skin has less pigment and burns quicker. Mineral sunscreen, with non-nanometric zinc oxide or titanium dioxide, creates a physical barrier, reflecting and scattering UV waves to avoid sunburn.
Beverly Hills Magazine: You’ve said enough. I’m switching to mineral.
Sylvain Horwood: Titanium dioxide is banned as a food ingredient but okay for skin. Chemical sunscreens use nanoparticles that penetrate the skin, causing a reaction with UV waves, producing heat to prevent burning but also aldehydes and harmful substances.
Beverly Hills Magazine: Is this causing cancer? Tests on ocean water showed high bacteria and sunscreen chemicals, raising alarms.
Sylvain Horwood: Some harsher chemical sunscreen ingredients are banned in Hawaii, Thailand, Palau, and Caribbean islands for damaging coral reefs through bleaching. If they harm aquatic life, there’s concern for skin damage and toxins entering the bloodstream. Modern life has toxins in food, air, clothing, and detergents. In my holistic health framework, I avoid toxins as much as possible.
Beverly Hills Magazine: I’m of the same mind. As a Christian, we should return to the Garden of Eden, as natural as possible. God gave us minerals and plants for medicine. Why name it PURU?
Sylvain Horwood: It’s a play on purity. In Switzerland’s languages—French, German, Italian—“pure” is P-U-R, also in English. It resonates across these languages. Registering a trademark for a four-letter word was challenging, but we have it worldwide, with agreements with other companies.
Beverly Hills Magazine: Many in the United States are waking up to natural products. A huge market for you. What myths about sun care can you debunk?
Sylvain Horwood: I published The Sun this year, arguing the sun is good for you, a risk for a sun care brand owner. The biggest myth is that the sun is bad. That narrative makes people afraid to look out windows, which filter most UV rays, or wear sunscreen indoors. Saying the sun is bad is like saying water is bad because you can drown. The sun provides life’s highest energy source. Without it, we wouldn’t exist.
Beverly Hills Magazine: It’s true. The paradigm paints the sun as an enemy, but it’s a gift. I heard sunglasses increased cancer rates because sunlight in our eyes has benefits.
Sylvain Horwood: Your eyes have the most receptors, the biggest cue for daily life. Light touches your eyes first. The circadian rhythm, the sun’s daily path, is key. Avoid wearing sunglasses all day; it dims light and reduces natural protection and energy cues.
Beverly Hills Magazine: Since learning that, I wear sunglasses less, look at the sun more, and get more energy from doing so. God created everything interconnected. The sun is our friend, not an enemy, if used reasonably.
Sylvain Horwood: Avoid sunburn, as it hurts for a reason. Be cautious at high altitudes, over water, or in snow. I’ve become more aware since writing the book. If you need sunglasses, let some light touch your eyes. Five seconds of sunlight energizes, signaling the day’s start or intensity. Watching sunsets with red and infrared rays helps sleep and rest.
Beverly Hills Magazine: Light is energy, and as we absorb the sun’s energy it vitalizes us.
Sylvain Horwood: In Switzerland, Zurich’s weather is better than London’s. People enjoy the sun’s energy on their faces, even in winter, during midday warmth.
Beverly Hills Magazine: Newsflash: you don’t need to live in sunglasses. Take them off and enjoy the sun. How do you blend ancient wisdom with modern science in your book and products?
Sylvain Horwood: It’s about returning to nature. Modern products use chemicals and preservatives for shelf life, creating low vibrational frequency products. My book The Frequency Diet discusses vibrational frequency of foods and products. An apple on the tree has peak vibrational frequency. Natural products align with higher frequency. Eating unprocessed, non-toxic, local, seasonal foods and using natural cosmetics avoids toxins and supports higher energy.
Beverly Hills Magazine: I believe we’re spiritual beings of light, made in God’s image. Connecting with the sun energizes our spiritual body. The Frequency Diet aligns with my vegan journey, avoiding dead energy. I’ve gone extreme—no sugar, no caffeine—for mental clarity and better skin.
Sylvain Horwood: It creates a positive feedback loop. Toxic food, products, or lifestyles create a negative loop, forcing your body to correct itself. We emit an energetic field beyond physical appearance. Someone less conventionally attractive can command attention with their energy.
Beverly Hills Magazine: Jesus said, “I’m the light of the world, giving light to all.” The purer our vessel, the stronger our light.
Sylvain Horwood: Purity provides a positive feedback loop, giving clarity. Your body focuses less on detoxing, allowing more light and inspiration.
Beverly Hills Magazine: The purer we are, the closer to our divine nature, hearing God clearly. I see preservatives and chemicals as poison, making it easier to avoid them.
Sylvain Horwood: We’re creating our future in real time. Natural living inspires creation, slows time, and gives clarity for purpose.
Beverly Hills Magazine: Connecting with nature enhances vividness. The purer, the better.
Sylvain Horwood: The hard part is willpower. It’s easy to know this, but preconceived notions from parents, school, or media make it challenging to act.
Beverly Hills Magazine: We’re programmed and must deprogram. Be patient, take baby steps like fasting. Reject one thing at a time, and eventually you can eliminate all the bad things.
Sylvain Horwood: The Frequency Diet encourages doing what’s better frequently. In social situations, don’t alienate connections. Have less, do it less frequently, and maintain social bonds.
Beverly Hills Magazine: Social pressure is real. I stopped drinking but go out with friends, using water in a champagne glass to hold my values.
Sylvain Horwood: That’s a great trick to stay connected socially without digesting toxins.
Beverly Hills Magazine: We have free will to make the best decisions for body, soul, and spirit. What role does vitamin D play in health?
Sylvain Horwood: It’s one part of the sun’s connection, helping produce vitamin D, crucial for life. The sun’s full electromagnetic spectrum—violet to red, ultraviolet to infrared—offers broader benefits. Focusing only on vitamin D is narrow. The sun’s light is positive, supporting all organs’ functions.
Beverly Hills Magazine: Sylvain Horwood, your vision for natural sun care inspires us. PURU and your books empower vibrant living. Thank you for sharing.
Sylvain Horwood: Thank you, I’m honored to inspire healthier connections with the sun.
Conclusion
Sylvain Horwood redefines sun care with PURU. His book inspires holistic wellness. Moreover, his advocacy promotes environmental balance. By blending science and nature, he drives change. Ultimately, Sylvain Horwood’s legacy fosters healthy living. His message invites mindful action. Connect with his mission for inspiration.