When it comes to summer sun, protecting your skin is a must. And when wanting to buy sunscreen products but still support local, we have a Montclair brand just for that. Dr. Terry Zickerman is the CEO and Founder of Love Sun Body, a natural sunscreen brand based in Montclair — with 100% natural ingredients and no chemical filters or synthetic ingredients. Born out of a need for sunblock with natural ingredients, the sunscreen brand was created by Dr. Zickerman, who left Morgan Stanley in 2017 when he began working as full-time on Love Sun Body.
The Montclair Girl: What inspired you to start a line of sunscreens?
TZ: In 2012, my family and I were visiting Point Pleasant Beach. We were looking for a really clean sunscreen with ingredients I could trust; that had enough SPF and would be really effective; and wasn’t one of those thick mineral sunscreens that looked white. I couldn’t find one so I decided to make my own. I spent the next six years becoming an expert on all things sunscreen and sourcing every ingredient carefully, and Love Sun Body was born!
MG: Tell us about Love Sun Body.
Terry Zickerman: Love Sun Body wants everyone to protect their skin from harmful sun damage with the highest-quality natural sunscreens, which are proven safe for our bodies and the planet and to ensure our customers know that our formulas are genuinely 100% natural, and free of any banned or harmful chemicals. Love Sun Body 100% Natural Origin Mineral Sunscreens are made with the safest UVA and UVB filters.
Love Sun Body 100% Natural Origin Mineral Sunscreens are the first and only sunscreens in the U.S. certified by Ecocert Cosmos Natural and have been clinically tested to be hypoallergenic, non-comedogenic with no eye stinging ingredients. All Love Sun Body sunscreens have been given the best score for safety and efficacy by the Environmental Working Group (EWG) and are certified PETA cruelty-free, vegan, reef safe, and biodegradable. We do not use nano-size particles, harmful chemicals, genetically modified, synthetic ingredients, or any ingredients of animal origin.
MG: What is Love Sun Body’s mission?
TZ: Our mission is to create high-quality natural sunscreens and cosmetics that consumers can trust, and that are proven safe and effective for human health and the planet. We want to provide as much transparency about our products, formulas, and ingredients as possible.
Read More: A Guide to Skincare Studios in Montclair for Ultimate Self-Care
MG: What is creating your formulas and testing like and how do you arrive at the final results?
TZ: What we have learned over the last nine years is that because we use 100% natural ingredients, our formulation takes significantly more time than our competition because we will not compromise and use chemical filters or synthetic ingredients. Sunscreen testing requires SPF and water resistance testing. We also test all of our formulas for UVA protection, to meet the European Commission’s Recommendation on UVA Protection, and all of our formulas are clinically tested to be hypoallergenic and non-comedogenic.
MG: How important is sustainability to you and your brand?
TZ: At Love Sun Body, we are united by our sustainability strategy that is built around pillars that put health and a green initiative at the heart of our work, “Safe for your body and the planet.” Because our clients expect high-quality raw materials, natural and organic ingredients, and our products to low carbon footprint, we owe our customers transparency and a guarantee of quality. Sustainability and traceability are no longer an option: it is a necessity. When it comes to sustainability and traceability, all aspects of our operations come into play: sourcing ingredients, packaging, labeling, manufacturing, and waste reduction, and so on, all in the name of protecting the climate, the forest, waters, and people.
We just launched our new Glow Natural Tinted Mineral Sunscreen and Moisturizer in four shades on QVC TV in May. The packaging for Glow Natural and any new production of our products will be in Post-consumer resin, or PCR, which is the technical term for recycled plastic.
Our green activities and initiatives include recycling, manufacturing, socially responsible investments (SRI) that focus on conservation of natural resources, manufacturing, implementation of clean air, and other environmentally conscious business practices. We believe there is a strong connection between the health of our clients and the health of our business, our workforce, and the planet, and each of these impacts one another.
MG: Who or what is your biggest source of inspiration?
TZ: My wife, my father, and my family.
MG: What are your goals for this year in terms of the business?
TZ: Creating new 100% natural products that are truly effective and liked by our clientele, expand our product line and retail distribution in the US and EU in 2022.
MG: What’s a typical day look like for you?
TZ: I’m always working on product development with our chemists, meeting with our marketing, sales, and public relations teams.
MG: What has been the highlight in your career/life so far?
TZ: Launching Love Sun Body and marrying my beautiful wife.
MG: Anything else you would like people to know about Love Sun Body?
TZ: We just launched our new capital raise, anyone interested in becoming a shareholder in Love Sun Body can learn more here.
Local Fun
MG: What is your favorite restaurant in Montclair?
TZ: SLA Thai.
MG: What do you love most about Montclair?
TZ: The diversity and culture it has to offer.
MG: What is your favorite thing to do in Essex County?
TZ: To visit the arts and craft shows.
MG: What is your favorite outdoor place to spend time in Essex County?
TZ: The parks in Montclair and Verona.
See More: Meet Cheyenne Autumn Pellicoro of Skin by Chey in Montclair
MG: What is your favorite place to work out in Essex County?
TZ: Platinum Fitness.
MG: Where do you go out with friends in the area?
TZ: Restaurants and walk around town.
MG: What is something you think needs to come to Montclair?
TZ: Restaurants that offer more organic choices.
Love Sun Body can be purchased in the US and Canada. Customers can shop via Love Sun Body, Amazon, Follain, The Detox Market, The Detox Market Canada.
