From Classroom to Company—How New Orleans Teen Founders Hayden Le and Grace Nguyen Are Redefining Outdoor Skincare with EcoAqua

Hayden Le and Grace Nguyen, 18-year-old co-founders of EcoAqua.

Meet the 2025-26 i.Invest Louisiana Youth Entrepreneur Grant recipients, Hayden Le and Grace Nguyen, the 18-year-old co-founders of EcoAqua and seniors at Benjamin Franklin High School in New Orleans, Louisiana. As driven 12th-grade student entrepreneurs, Hayden and Grace are already making waves with an innovative, eco-conscious skincare solution designed specifically for athletes and outdoor enthusiasts. Their work was recognized through the i.Invest Competition, developed in partnership with the LifeSkills Foundation, a New Orleans–based nonprofit led by Executive Director Michelle Jackson. Since its founding in 2015, LifeSkills has provided funding, mentorship, and resources to promising youth entrepreneurs nationwide—helping young leaders turn real-world problems into impactful businesses. EcoAqua exemplifies what happens when youth innovation meets purpose-driven entrepreneurship.

Founder Q&A: How EcoAqua Is Changing Outdoor Skincare for Athletes and Adventurers

Q: What is EcoAqua, and what problem does it solve?

EcoAqua is a 3-in-1 moisturizing sunscreen and mosquito repellent cream created to simplify outdoor skincare while prioritizing skin health and environmental responsibility. Designed for athletes and outdoor enthusiasts who are constantly on the move, EcoAqua combines SPF 50 sun protection, long-lasting mosquito repellency, and deep hydration in one easy-to-use product.

After surveying more than 150 student-athletes, the founders discovered a widespread issue: three out of five athletes regularly experience swelling, blisters, and intense itching from mosquito bites, as well as frequent sunburn. Existing solutions often require layering sunscreen and bug spray—products that don’t mix well and often leave skin feeling dry, sticky, irritated, or heavy. EcoAqua eliminates this problem by offering a single, effective formula that protects against both sun and insects while keeping skin moisturized and comfortable.

Q: Who inspired the creation of EcoAqua?

EcoAqua was inspired by personal experience. During a hot summer day in PE class, co-founder Hayden noticed that sunburns and mosquito bites discouraged students from fully participating in outdoor activities like kickball and basketball. Co-founder Grace, a competitive swimmer and avid fisher, faced constant exposure to mosquitoes and gnats, often waking up with swelling, bruises, and intense itching that interfered with her athletic performance and love for the outdoors.

Bonding over these shared frustrations, the founders realized this was not an isolated problem. As daughters of Vietnamese immigrants who shared stories of growing up in the harsh sun and with relentless mosquitoes, Hayden and Grace felt compelled to create a better solution—one that protected skin without sacrificing comfort or convenience.

Q: What makes EcoAqua unique?

EcoAqua stands apart through its clean, all-natural, and skin-friendly formulation. The product contains no harmful chemicals such as DEET or parabens. Instead, it uses citrus oils and picaridin for mosquito repellency, titanium dioxide for sun protection, and aloe vera with beeswax for hydration.

The non-greasy, fast-absorbing formula leaves no white cast and is suitable for all skin types, including sensitive skin. EcoAqua provides up to 90 minutes of UV protection (with reapplication encouraged every 2 hours) and up to 8 hours of mosquito-repellency, making it ideal for sports, travel, outdoor adventures, and everyday use.

Q: What social impact does EcoAqua aim to make?

EcoAqua demonstrates that sustainability and personal care can coexist. By combining sunscreen, bug repellent, and moisturizer into one product, EcoAqua helps reduce overconsumption and packaging waste. Beyond the product itself, the founders are committed to educating athletes and outdoor enthusiasts about proactive skin care habits that protect both long-term health and the environment.

EcoAqua is more than skincare—it’s protection, purpose, and peace of mind for every outdoor adventure.

Q: What are the next phases of the business development process, and what resources do you need to grow?

Participation in the Tulane YEA! program has been instrumental in advancing EcoAqua’s growth by providing structured mentorship, pitch coaching, and access to competitive entrepreneurial opportunities–including presenting its business concept at NOLA Entrepreneur Week 2025. Tulane YEA! also supported early customer discovery and acquisition efforts, helping translate EcoAqua’s science-backed prototype into a market-ready consumer product.

As a recipient of the i.Invest Louisiana Youth Entrepreneur Grant, EcoAqua received $500 to support business growth and mentorship from the i.Invest team, led by Jackson. The grant will fund hands-on STEM and entrepreneurship activities for EcoAqua affiliates, focusing on cosmetic chemistry product testing and business development. To learn how you can help bring their business idea to market, contact Michelle Jackson at mjackson@prsolutionsllc.org.