TL;DR: Alpine ski champion Lucas Pinheiro Braathen has launched a high-performance SPF product through his skincare brand Octo, tested in the world's most punishing UV environments. It's the kind of sun protection that belongs in every well-packed weekend bag heading to Bali, the Maldives, or the South China Sea.

Why Octo's New Sunscreen Deserves a Spot in Your Weekend Kit

When your co-founder has stood atop a podium at the 2022 Winter Olympics in Beijing and spent the better part of his career hurtling down snow-blasted mountainsides at speeds exceeding 100 kilometres per hour, you have a rather compelling testing ground for skincare. Lucas Pinheiro Braathen, the Brazilian-Norwegian slalom champion who claimed gold for Brazil at those Games, has channelled that obsession with performance into Octo, his luxury skincare brand. The label's newest release is a premium SPF formulation that has been subjected to conditions most sunscreens will never encounter — high-altitude UV exposure, wind chill, and the kind of reflective glare that comes off fresh powder in the Swiss Alps.

For the Asia-based traveller planning a long weekend in Phuket, a yacht charter in the Andaman Sea, or a villa retreat in Seminyak, the timing of this launch feels almost pointed. UV indices across Southeast Asia regularly breach the extreme threshold of 11 and above, and the region's luxury resort set has grown increasingly discerning about what they apply before stepping onto a sun deck or a private beach. A sunscreen co-created by an Olympic athlete who has literally staked his face on its efficacy carries a different kind of authority than the average SPF 50 from a department store shelf.

What Sets Octo's SPF Formulation Apart

Octo was founded on the principle that performance and aesthetics need not be mutually exclusive — a philosophy that resonates deeply with the luxury wellness market. The brand's approach to skincare borrows from the rigour of elite sport: every product is developed with an eye toward real-world stress testing rather than laboratory ideals. The new sunscreen reportedly delivers broad-spectrum protection while maintaining a texture that sits comfortably beneath or without makeup, leaving no white cast — a persistent complaint among users in Asia, where deeper skin tones are the norm and chalky residue is a dealbreaker.

The formulation also leans into the brand's commitment to skin health beyond mere protection. Antioxidant-rich ingredients work alongside the UV filters to address the oxidative stress that sun exposure triggers at the cellular level, making this less a one-dimensional block and more a comprehensive environmental shield. For a weekend spent moving between a rooftop infinity pool and an open-air spa pavilion, that layered functionality matters.

• Protection level: Broad-spectrum, high SPF formulation tested at altitude and in extreme UV conditions
• Texture: Lightweight, no white cast — suitable for all skin tones
• Key benefit: Antioxidant complex addresses oxidative stress alongside UV damage
• Co-founder: Lucas Pinheiro Braathen, 2022 Winter Olympic gold medallist
• Available via: Octo's official website and select luxury retail partners

Octo Skincare

📍 International — ships to Asia

📞 Available via official website

🌐 Website

The Athlete-Beauty Crossover That Asia's Luxury Market Is Embracing

Braathen is not the first elite athlete to step into the beauty space, but he may be one of the most credible. Unlike celebrity fragrance lines or passive brand endorsements, Octo reads as a genuine extension of a competitor's relationship with his own skin — the product of years spent managing the effects of altitude, cold, wind, and relentless UV exposure. That backstory gives the brand a narrative that resonates with the performance-minded luxury consumer, a demographic that is particularly well-represented across Asia's financial capitals and resort destinations.

The crossover between sport, wellness, and luxury lifestyle has accelerated markedly across the region. From the six-star beach clubs of Bali to the private members' clubs of Hong Kong and Singapore, there is a growing appetite for products and experiences that reflect an active, intentional approach to living well. Octo fits neatly into that cultural moment — aspirational without being inaccessible, science-backed without being clinical. A tube of this sunscreen on the vanity of a Banyan Tree pool villa or a Soneva Jani overwater suite feels entirely at home.

The Verdict: Pack It Before Your Next Escape

If you are assembling a weekend bag for a long-haul flight to the Maldives, a catamaran charter out of Langkawi, or simply a Saturday spent poolside at a five-star Singapore hotel, Octo's new SPF deserves serious consideration. The combination of Olympic-grade testing credentials, thoughtful formulation, and the kind of sleek branding that looks good on a marble bathroom ledge makes this one of the more compelling skincare launches of the year. Sun protection has rarely felt quite this considered — or this well-earned.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who is Lucas Pinheiro Braathen and why is he launching skincare?

Lucas Pinheiro Braathen is a Brazilian-Norwegian alpine ski racer who won gold for Brazil at the 2022 Winter Olympics in Beijing. He co-founded Octo as a performance-driven skincare brand, drawing on his first-hand experience managing skin health in extreme conditions including high-altitude UV exposure, wind, and cold.

What makes Octo's sunscreen suitable for Asian climates?

The formulation is designed to deliver broad-spectrum UV protection without leaving a white cast, making it particularly well-suited to the diverse skin tones across Asia. The lightweight texture also performs well in the heat and humidity typical of Southeast Asian destinations like Bali, Phuket, and the Maldives.

Where can I buy Octo skincare products in Asia?

Octo is available through the brand's official website, which ships internationally including to Asian markets. The brand is also expanding into select luxury retail partnerships, so availability at premium department stores and resort boutiques is expected to grow.

How does Octo's SPF differ from standard luxury sunscreens?

Beyond UV filtration, Octo's formulation incorporates antioxidant ingredients designed to counteract the oxidative stress caused by sun exposure. The product was tested in genuinely extreme conditions — high-altitude alpine environments — rather than relying solely on controlled laboratory benchmarks, lending it a performance credibility that most sunscreens cannot claim.

Is Octo relevant for luxury travellers beyond just sun protection?

Yes. The brand's broader philosophy centres on performance skincare for people who live actively — whether that means skiing in the Alps or spending a weekend on a yacht in the Andaman Sea. The aesthetic and ethos align well with the luxury wellness market that has grown significantly across Asia's resort and urban luxury segments.