Sunscreen, Skincare & Sustainability:The Business of Sun Safety with Tricia Trimble, Suntegrity Skincare
From Grief to Glow: How One Founder Transformed Loss Into a Clean Beauty Movement
When Tricia Trimble lost her mother to melanoma, she didn’t just mourn,she took action. That decision launched a 15-year journey that would transform her from a CPA and recruiter into the founder of a pioneering clean beauty brand, Suntegrity Skincare.
On this episode of The Wild Party Podcast, we sit down with Tricia to talk about the origin story behind her award-winning mineral sunscreen line, the uphill battle of creating reef-safe formulations in a highly regulated industry, and what it takes to build a purpose-driven business from scratch.
The Personal Spark Behind a Purpose-Driven Brand
Tricia's story isn’t a typical startup tale. It’s deeply personal. After losing her mother to skin cancer at the age of 16, Tricia knew she wanted to do something meaningful. Years later, after leaving a successful career in finance and selling her shares in a recruiting firm, she found her way into the world of skincare through a master’s program in Spiritual Psychology. That program’s thesis project became the first iteration of Suntegrity.
"It started as a healing project,” Tricia shared. “I’d always been passionate about sunscreen and skin health, but I realized the products I was using and recommending were full of toxic ingredients.”
Fueled by a powerful mix of grief and purpose, Tricia began researching mineral-based sunscreens and came across the Environmental Working Group’s (EWG) sunscreen guide, which called out the toxicity of most mainstream products. That was the moment her mission clicked: create a clean, effective sunscreen line that people could trust.
Clean Beauty Before It Was Cool
Launching Suntegrity in 2010 made Tricia an early player in the now-exploding clean beauty movement. At a time when Credo and Detox Market were still unknown, Suntegrity was carving out a space for safe, effective, zinc oxide-based SPF products that were free of harmful chemicals and backed by real science.
Tricia bootstrapped the business with proceeds from selling her home and insisted on full ownership to preserve her values. She carefully formulated each product with ingredient safety, skin feel, and wearability in mind.
One of her earliest wins? A spot on the EWG’s sunscreen guide with a coveted “1” rating, followed by an Allure Best of Beauty Award that brought major visibility to the brand.
The Science and the Struggle Behind the Formulas
Sunscreen isn’t just skincare. It’s classified as an over-the-counter drug in the U.S., which means Tricia had to work with FDA-approved labs, conduct stability testing, and navigate complex regulations across state and federal levels.
Even changing packaging isn’t simple. “We have to redo tests just to make sure the formula remains stable in a new tube,” she explained. And when new regulations from the CARES Act hit, she lost access to key manufacturing partners, a common struggle for indie beauty brands without investor backing.
Still, Tricia has never compromised on ingredients. Suntegrity’s formulations are non-nano zinc oxide, reef-friendly, and increasingly packaged in sustainable materials like PCR plastics and sugarcane tubes.
Word of Mouth Over Influencer Hype
Despite the brand's longevity and accolades, Tricia has never chased the influencer marketing model. “We’re not pay to play,” she said. “Our biggest marketers are estheticians and loyal customers who genuinely love the product.”
That authenticity has paid off. Suntegrity is a favorite among oncology skincare professionals and clean beauty insiders. And while social media marketing is still a growth area, Tricia is committed to scaling her impact through education, transparency, and excellent products rather than gimmicks.
What's Next for Suntegrity?
Suntegrity is preparing to launch a pressed mineral powder (without titanium dioxide) and mineral sunscreen drops designed for layering. These are ideal for people who need lightweight options and additional UVA protection. Tricia’s advice? “Most people aren’t applying enough sunscreen. Layering is key to getting the protection you think you’re getting.”
Suntegrity is also expanding its beloved self-tanning line, offering DHA-based lotions that smell like strawberries, don’t stain your sheets, and won’t leave you with that dreaded tanner smell.
Final Thoughts: Sun Care With Integrity
Tricia Trimble built her company with intention, resilience, and a deep understanding of how skincare can affect not just appearance but also health, confidence, and the planet. In a sea of greenwashing, Suntegrity continues to set a gold standard for what clean, conscious beauty should look like.
🎧 Listen Now & Get 20% Off
Want to try Suntegrity for yourself?
🛒 Visit suntegrityskincare.com
💸 Use promo code WILDPARTY20 for 20% off your first order
