Boys In Blue Saving Our Skins

By Sarah Healey on March 1, 2013 in News

Firstly, take a moment to flip to the last page of your copy of The Beast. See that handsome devil who relishes in humourously predicting what will happen to you in the month ahead? This astrological genius and Waverley Council lifeguard is Daniel ‘Beardy’ McLaughlin, and he’s now on a mission to save your skin from frying under the stifling Aussie sun as the proud co-founder of the ultimate in sun protection: the aptly named Bondi Zinc Sunscreen.

Teaming up with fellow lifeguard Michael ‘Mouse’ Jenkinson, Beardy wanted to introduce a sunscreen that contains a unique ‘invisible’ zinc formula, providing broad protection without the whitening effect of other zinc creams.

The Bondi Zinc story began when the boys were planning their annual surf trip to Indonesia in 2012. Zinc is the quintessential travel item for these keen surfers, and Beardy was more than a little miffed about having to fork out the same amount for one tube of zinc as he’d spend on about forty Bintangs while abroad.

“My next day at work, there happened to be a couple of different types of zinc in the tower so I read the backs – they almost had the exact same ingredients as the one I bought for $40. I knew then I wasn’t paying for the product, I was paying for the brand name,” he said.

And that’s when he decided to come up with a better alternative.

After returning from Indonesia and smashing his laptop while walking through immigration, losing most of the research he’d garnered before the trip, Beardy got straight back on the proverbial horse with wingman Mouse by his side.

“We went to several laboratories. Most sunscreens cater for individual needs such as sensitive skin, for children, or for everyday use. We asked if it was possible for our product to have it all. Then one laboratory got back to us with a formula specifically for what we wanted – an all-in-one zinc sunscreen,” Beardy said.

The key ingredient, zinc oxide, is a physical sun-blocking agent. Its physical barriers work by reflecting or blocking the harmful UV rays from the skin. Bondi Zinc comes in three unique formulas: a clear body zinc sunscreen, a clear face sunscreen, and a bronze-tinted zinc. All products offer SPF 30+, 4-hour water resistant UVA and UVB broad-spectrum protection. And better still, they won’t break the bank.

“Bondi Zinc’s recommended retail price for our 110ml invisible zinc is under $18, whereas our competitors products are well over $20 or $30 for their invisible zincs. Other brands spend a lot on packaging, but that still doesn’t justify the price in my eyes,” Beardy said.

Sleeping is a thing of the past for this duo, who both juggle the business with professional lifeguarding.

“We’ve definitely climbed a mountain recently, and we’re just going to work as a team and try to get as much done as we can. It also makes it easier to work cohesively when you’ve grown up together,” Mouse explained.

The boys have high hopes for Bondi Zinc, and stand proudly behind their product.

“Within a year I’d like to see it all over Australia. If we got an investor I’d love to see it branch worldwide. Hopefully there’ll be a lot of interest generated from the TV show, Bondi Rescue, also,” Mouse said.

Another great reason to get out there and buy Bondi Zinc products is that the boys are committed to giving a percentage of their profits to the Sydney Children’s Hospital Foundation, something that the whole lifeguard service has supported over the years.

Bondi Zinc Sunscreens are available from all good pharmacies, surf shops and general stores around the area. For more info, please visit www.bondizincsunscreen.com.au or email info@bondizincsunscreen.com.au