Soaking Up Chemicals: The Sunscreen Safety Myth

James Templeton sits down with Guerry Grune, PhD, a lifelong surfer and chemical engineer whose passion for the ocean collided with a deep concern for the damaging effects of sun exposure. Guerry has surfed the world’s most iconic breaks, from Hawaii and Australia to Costa Rica and Japan, but a personal wake-up call in 1992 set him on a new path. When his 22-year-old surfing buddy was diagnosed with melanoma, Guerry realized the sunscreen industry wasn’t just falling short—it was failing.

Drawing on his expertise in chemical engineering, Guerry went on to found 3rd Rock Essentials, creating a new class of non-toxic, mineral-based sunscreens so pure they’re safe enough to eat. In this eye-opening conversation, he explains why SPF values are misleading, how UVA rays do the deepest cellular damage, and why Europe’s approach to sun safety far surpasses what we see in the U.S. 

Whether you’re an outdoor enthusiast, health-conscious consumer, or just curious about what you’re really putting on your skin, this interview will change the way you think about sunscreen. “If you wouldn’t put it in your mouth, why would you put it on your skin?” Join us for an in-depth look at the science, the story, and the mission behind one of the cleanest sunscreens on the planet https://3rdrockessentials.com/ .