5 reasons people hate wearing sunscreen
And why they don't have to anymore. Tens of thousands of people are making the switch to burnd SPF 41.
- no eye sting when you sweat
- made by a pediatrician for his own family
- no greasy, heavy or sticky feel
- no white cast
- gentle on sensitive, breakout-prone skin
1. it burns your eyes when you sweat
We've all experienced it. You're running, swimming, or sweating on a hot day, and suddenly your sunscreen is burning your eyes. Many conventional formulas can mix with sweat and migrate across your skin, carrying UV filters into your eyes and causing irritation. Something meant to protect you ends up ruining your time outside.
burnd SPF 41 uses an advanced reverse emulsion system that creates a highly water-resistant film on your skin. This technology helps repel water and keep sunscreen from mixing with sweat, minimizing the migration that causes eye stinging.
It's also how burnd achieves 80 minutes of tested water resistance, the longest duration recognized under US sunscreen testing standards. Protection designed to stay put, even when you're sweating.
“Goes on smooth and does not run into my eyes. It has also worked well for my 9-year-old during his baseball games in hot Southern California sunshine.”
Ean P., verified buyer
2. you're not sure what sunscreen you can trust with your family
Between alarming headlines about sunscreen ingredients, conflicting advice about mineral versus chemical filters, and vague "clean" or "non-toxic" claims, it's hard to know what to believe. Sunscreen safety depends on scientific evidence, thoughtful formulation, and testing, not whether an ingredient sounds natural or synthetic. But how do you know who to trust when choosing something for your family?
burnd started with a pediatrician and father, Dr. Mark Mitchnick, who wanted to make the best possible sunscreen for his own family. After more than 30 years developing sunscreen technology, he created a formula for his wife, children, and the people he loves most. That exact formula became burnd SPF 41.
We formulate and manufacture our products in the USA, allowing us to maintain close oversight of quality and manufacturing standards.
It's not just something we sell. It's what we use on our own families every day.
Because if we wouldn't put it on our own kids, we wouldn't sell it to yours.
3. it feels greasy, heavy and sticky
You put sunscreen on to protect your skin, not to spend the next six hours feeling like your face is covered in cooking oil. Many sunscreens use heavier, oil-rich formulas that leave behind an uncomfortable, greasy layer. Add heat and humidity, and it's no wonder people dread wearing them.
Creating a sunscreen that's highly water-resistant without feeling heavy is surprisingly difficult. burnd combines reverse emulsion technology with lightweight, film-forming silicones to achieve both. The formula spreads smoothly, creates an even layer of protection, and dries down to a soft, non-greasy finish.
You get sunscreen that's comfortable enough to wear every day without compromising its outdoor performance.
“It went on clear, felt lightweight, and didn't leave a greasy residue, even after hours on the boat and in the water.”
Patricia M., verified buyer
4. it leaves an annoying white cast
Mineral sunscreens are notorious for leaving a chalky white residue. Traditional zinc oxide particles scatter visible light, creating the white appearance that makes many formulas difficult to wear, especially on darker skin tones.
burnd was co-founded by Dr. Mark Mitchnick, the inventor of transparent zinc oxide technology. Drawing on decades of sunscreen formulation experience, he developed burnd SPF 41 using a carefully engineered combination of mineral zinc oxide and organic UV filters.
This hybrid approach delivers powerful broad-spectrum protection without the chalky white cast traditionally associated with zinc oxide sunscreens.
“As someone with very dark skin, finding a sunscreen without that ghostly white cast has been nearly impossible until burnd.”
Nia, verified buyer
5. it irritates your skin or causes breakouts
For people with sensitive or acne-prone skin, finding the right sunscreen can be frustrating. Fragrances and certain ingredients can trigger irritation, while some formulas may contribute to clogged pores and breakouts. When you're supposed to wear sunscreen every day, even minor irritation can be enough to make you stop.
Developed by a pediatrician with sensitive skin in mind, burnd SPF 41 is fragrance-free and formulated to be non-comedogenic, meaning it's designed not to clog pores.
The formula also includes vitamin E and a vitamin C derivative, known for their antioxidant properties, alongside skin-conditioning ingredients that contribute to a nourishing, comfortable feel.
The result is a sunscreen thoughtfully designed to be gentle on sensitive skin while delivering serious sun protection.
“It goes on without that greasy feeling and protects me well at the pool. I have very sensitive skin and I have not broken out!”
Sue, verified buyer
a sunscreen you'll actually want to wear
We started burnd with a simple belief: the best sunscreen is the one you'll actually use. So we created one that combines serious sun protection with a formula that feels good, stays put, and was developed with our own families in mind.
No greasy finish. No white cast. No more dreading putting on sunscreen.
fewer burns. straight from customers.
It went on clear, felt lightweight, and didn’t leave a greasy residue, even after hours on the boat and in the water.
As someone with very dark skin, finding a sunscreen without that ghostly white cast has been nearly impossible until burnd.
I spent hours every day in the sea and in a saltwater pool. I did NOT burn.
It goes on without that greasy feeling and protects me well at the pool. I have very sensitive skin and I have not broken out!
Goes on smooth and does not run into my eyes. It has also worked well for my 9-year-old during his baseball games in hot Southern California sunshine.
This has literally been life changing for me. I have really sensitive skin, and I've tried like every sunscreen.
olympian, pro surfer and sensitive skin gal approved
Great reasons to subscribe
- Flexible frequencyNot sure how much of something you need, or how often? Adjust quantities and frequencies any time.
- Order remindersWe'll let you know before each shipment. Delay, reschedule or cancel if you need to - we'll only bill you when your order ships.
- You're in controlAdd or remove subscriptions, cancel orders, and edit frequencies and quantities through our user-friendly customer portal.
“This has literally been life changing for me. I have really sensitive skin, and I've tried like every sunscreen. When I found this, my skin has started to break out so much less. I cannot speak more highly about it, and really recommend it for anyone, especially for those of you who battle with sensitive skin like me.”
- leilani mcgonagle, olympian & pro surfer
burnd SPF41 is protection that goes on clear, never stings, and doesn't fight with your skin - so you don't have to worry when you're active in the sun.
- Broad Spectrum
- Pediatrician & dermatologist developed
- Dermatologist Recommended
- Gentle on sensitive skin
- Dries completely clear
- Lightweight & Non-Greasy
- Water Resistant 80 Minutes
- Highly Sweat Resistant
- Drip-free for highly active lifestyles
- Formulated to be Non-Comedogenic
- Fragrance & Paraben Free
- Pro Olympian Surfer approved
Stuff that blocks the sun (SPF):
Zinc Oxide 8.1%, Octinoxate 7.5%, Homosalate 8.0%
Stuff that makes it water resistant: Cyclopentasiloxane, Polysilicone-11
Stuff that helps your skin:
Ascorbyl Palmitate (vitamin C), Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Tocopheryl Acetate (vitamin E), Methylpropanediol, Propanediol, Caprylyl Glycol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Propanediol, Water
Stuff that feels great:
Dioctyl Sebacate, Bis-PEG-12 Dimethicone Beeswax
Stuff that makes it stick together:
PEG/PPG-20/15 Dimethicone, PEG-30 Dipolyhydroxystearate, Silica, Sodium Chloride, Triethoxycaprylylsilane
Stuff that keeps it fresh and clean:
Caprylhydroxamic Acid, Caprylyl Glycol, Glycerin
Stuff we wouldn’t put on our own kids:
NOTHING
Apply liberally at least 15 min before sun exposure. If you apply any sunscreen after you’ve already been in the sun for a bit, the sunscreen is not as effective.
We recommend that you reapply every 80 minutes if swimming or sweating because thats the right thing to do. However we know thats not real life. Thats why we specifically engineered this stuff to really stay put. Just check out some of our reviews!
burnd broad spectrum SPF41 is a lotion that is both highly water resistant and elegant to use. Our formula utilizes a reverse emulsion technology and a combination of Zinc Oxide, other sun filters, Vitamin A and C to create a highly water resistant formula that leaves no white cast and feels very elegant on your skin.
The result, superior protection that feels like luxury skincare.
Backed by experts
Chief Scientific Officer
Dr. Mark Mitchnick is a physician and accomplished product developer with deep experience in skin and sun care having invented the transparent zinc oxide technology used by many companies today.
With more than three decades of experience across pediatrics, formulation science, complex drug delivery, and global health, Mark’s career has focused on solving real-world problems with rigorous, evidence-based science.
Dermatologist & Dermatopathologist
Dr. Radha Mikkilineni brings 20+ years of dermatology and dermatopathology expertise, blending deep scientific training with a compassionate, evidence-based approach.
Her rare dual certification gives her microscopic insight into how skin truly behaves: what strengthens the barrier, what irritates it, and what actually works. Her guidance ensures every formula is grounded in real skin biology.
Dermatologic Surgeon & Melanoma Specialist
Dr. Mitchell Kline is a nationally recognized expert in melanoma, complex skin cancers, and UV damage, with 30+ years of surgical and clinical experience.
Trained at Penn, Memorial Sloan Kettering, and Weill Cornell (where he now teaches) he’s known for advancing early detection, surgical precision, and UV-protection education.
Formulation Scientist & Biomaterials Engineer
Dr. Kim is a biomedical engineer and formulation scientist specializing in drug delivery, nano- and micro-formulation, and performance materials.
With 10+ years of R&D across leading labs at Cornell, Lehigh, and Penn State, and a Ph.D. from Boston University, she brings deep expertise in polymer synthesis, biomaterials, encapsulation technologies, and preclinical testing.
Frequently asked questions
Can’t find the answer you’re looking for? Check out our full FAQ list or contact us directly with your question.
The short answer is you can use it anywhere. burnd is gentle enough to use on your face but powerful enough to protect your entire body.
Yes, yes it it. We specifically engineered this sunscreen to really stay put, even in the harshest of environments (or just going to the beach).
But don't just take our word for it, look at our reviews!
Yes *as long as you apply within reason* If you use sunscreen like a normal person, you’ll be in the clear. If you’re cosplaying as a cupcake with a frosting fetish, you’re gonna be left with some white streaks.
Toxin-free" is marketing language designed to scare you into buying products.
Every ingredient in burnd has been clinically tested and meets medical-grade safety standards—the same ones our founder used when he designed it for our family. We use what works and what's safe.
If you want to see exactly what's in the bottle, check the ingredients list on the product page. No secrets, no fearmongering.
burnd was made with sensitive skin in mind. Unlike most sunscreens on the market, our formula was specially design to protect your skin WITHOUT clogging pores.
That being said you’re always vulnerable to irritating your skin if you decide to put some sort of foreign cream on it. So no, it should not cause acne but if you have any problems, just let us know and we will completely refund your money.
Yes, and it actually works really well. This is a happy and unintended byproduct of using silicone—the sunscreen won’t mix into or disrupt your makeup. You can put the sunscreen on before or after you craft those perfect contours.
Our formula’s founder is actually a pediatrician by training and designed the formula to be gentle enough for his toddler and wife.
So yes, slap our sunscreen on your kids without a worry in the world... except what’s on their most recent search history...
no greasy finish. no white cast. no more dreading sunscreen.
Free shipping over $50. 100% money-back guarantee if it's not for you.