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The Get Healthy Tampa Bay Podcast
Bringing all things health and wellness to Tampa Bay, FL from your very own family and obesity medicine physician, Dr. Kerry Reller, MD, MS. We will discuss general medical topics, weight management, and local spots and events focusing on health, wellness, and nutrition in an interview and solo-cast format. Published weekly.
The Get Healthy Tampa Bay Podcast
E142: Sun Safety, Reef-Safe Sunscreen & Purpose-Driven Business with Kristin Tomasello
Welcome to the Get Healthy Tampa Bay Podcast with Dr. Kerry Reller! This week, I am joined by Kristin Tomasello, nurse, entrepreneur, and founder of CostaSea Suncare and the Kristin Tomasello Foundation. In this episode, we explore her journey with lupus, sun sensitivity, and family experiences with cancer that inspired her to create a zinc-only, reef-safe sunscreen. Kristin shares insights on sun safety, ingredients to avoid, skin cancer prevention tips, and the importance of protecting both people and the ocean. She also talks about turning pain into purpose through her nonprofit, which supports art and music programs for individuals with disabilities. Tune in to learn practical sun safety strategies and how purpose-driven business can create community impact.
Kristin Tomasello is an author, entrepreneur, and philanthropist dedicated to empowering others through creativity, faith, and community. As founder of the Kristin Tomasello Foundation, she champions the arts for the special needs community and leads Costa Sea Suncare, a family-inspired, ocean-friendly skincare brand.
0:28 — Introduction and welcome
2:10 — Kristin’s lupus journey and early struggles with hives
5:15 — Family cancer history and inspiration for change
8:40 — Discovering the connection between skin, bloodstream, and sunscreen
12:20 — Founding CostaSea Suncare and product development
16:05 — Why zinc-only sunscreen matters
20:15 — Dangers of sprays and harmful sunscreen chemicals
24:50 — Sun safety tips: peak hours, reapplication, forgotten spots
30:05 — Environmental impact: reef-safe and ocean-friendly choices
35:40 — Kristin’s foundation, community programs, and message of hope
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Kerry: Hi everybody. Welcome back to the Get Healthy Tampa Bay Podcast! I'm your host, Dr. Kerry Reller, and today we have a very special guest, Kristin Tomasello. Welcome to the podcast.
Kristin: Hi! Thank you so much for having me. It's an honor to be here.
Kerry: I’m excited to learn about who you are and what you do. Many of my guests are physicians, but you’re a nurse with a unique story and so much to share. Can you start by telling us about your background and what led you here?
Kristin: Absolutely. I was very inspired by your practice. I suffered from lupus and severe hives—at first they thought it was allergies. It wasn’t until nursing school that I realized it was lupus. I graduated from Galen College of Nursing, and I also have a business degree, so I get to combine both worlds. I love research and development, and while lupus made it hard for me to move forward in traditional clinical practice, I found another way to use my knowledge and passion in a way that could still make an impact.
Kerry: That makes sense. We often see overlap between autoimmune conditions and chronic hives, and there’s even a condition called solar urticaria, or sun-induced hives, which can be very painful. Luckily, you’re doing much better now. Tell us how you got into research and development and how that led to your current work.
Kristin: During nursing school, I poured myself into the oncology and autoimmune chapters because my dad had leukemia and my mom had skin cancer. Around that time, I realized I had many of the symptoms of lupus—like the butterfly rash and sun sensitivity. At the same time, I was caring for patients, applying topical medications and patches, and it hit me: whatever we put on our skin goes straight into our bloodstream. That inspired me to create something safe, effective, and personal to my family’s story.
When my dad was diagnosed with leukemia, doctors gave him three days to live. Watching him collapse when I was 12 was life-changing. He survived and has now been in remission for more than a decade. But that experience—and my mom’s skin cancer—motivated me to create something natural and mineral-based that wouldn’t harm people. That’s how CostaSea Suncare was born.
Kerry: Exactly—we should mention you created a sunscreen brand! Given your history, it makes perfect sense. How did you decide to take that leap?
Kristin: Sunscreen was the closest way I could connect my nursing knowledge, my business background, and my passion for cancer research. Sunscreen is considered an over-the-counter drug, so I could apply both science and entrepreneurship. I also competed in Miss Florida USA, so I wanted the brand to balance beauty with science-backed safety.
Kerry: That’s great. So, what makes CostaSea different?
Kristin: We use only one active ingredient: 17.5% zinc oxide. Zinc is safe for the body and even supports the immune system. Our inactive ingredients include aloe vera, coconut oil, blueberry and cucumber extracts, shea butter, mango oil, and carrot oil—ingredients that nourish skin instead of harming it.
We also avoided sprays. Sprays often contain alcohol, which dries out skin and makes sunburn worse. They’re also flammable and contribute chemicals to the ocean. CostaSea is a lotion-only, reef-safe, water-resistant (80 minutes) sunscreen that goes on sheer but protective.
Kerry: That’s important, especially here in Florida. What should listeners know about sun safety and skin cancer risk?
Kristin: Peak UV exposure is 10 AM to 2 PM. That’s when reapplication is crucial. Everyone should use sunscreen, but people with lighter skin tones, albinism, or photosensitivity (like lupus) are especially at risk. Protection isn’t just about sunscreen—wear hats, UPF shirts, and water shoes. And don’t forget often-missed spots: ears, scalp, tops and bottoms of feet, and hands.
Kerry: Such good reminders. What about myths you hear around sunscreen?
Kristin: One myth is that sprays are better—they’re not. You miss spots, inhale chemicals, and they wash off easily. Another myth is that “sheer” equals better. Some companies add titanium dioxide to make sunscreens sheer, but inhaling it can be linked to lung cancer. I’d rather focus on protection than cosmetics.
Kerry: That’s powerful. Beyond sun care, you’ve built a nonprofit too. Tell us about that.
Kristin: Yes! I founded the Kristin Tomasello Foundation, which supports art and music programs for people with disabilities. My cousin has Down syndrome, my mom has worked in special education, and I’ve volunteered in this community since I was 15. We run a program called Creating Arts, where kids paint, create music, and even design album covers.
We also host an annual prom, which has grown from 150 participants in our first year to nearly 500 this year. Now, we’re building the Grateful Hearts Center—an art and music facility for people with disabilities. Proceeds from CostaSea support this work.
Kerry: That is incredible. You’ve taken your pain and turned it into purpose. What advice do you have for others who want to follow their passions?
Kristin: My mom always told me: “Do good and be good.” My personal motto is: “Your pain is your treasure.” We all go through struggles, but they can fuel our healing and inspire us to help others. Don’t let small beginnings discourage you. Even if you impact five people, that matters. And never let anyone tell you your dream isn’t possible.
Kerry: That’s beautiful advice. Kristin, thank you for sharing your story and wisdom today.
Kristin: Thank you so much for having me. I love everything you do for the community and at your clinic.
Kerry: And thank you to our listeners. Be sure to check out CostaSea Suncare at costaseasuncare.com and the Kristin Tomasello Foundation at kristintomasellofoundation.org. Tune in next week for another episode of the Get Healthy Tampa Bay Podcast!
