What does it take to enter a crowded category like sunscreen and build something that actually stands out?
Malachy Mitchnick is the Co-Founder and CEO of burnd, a science-driven sun and skincare brand focused on high-performance products for protecting, repairing, and restoring skin. He is building burnd alongside his father, Dr. Mark Mitchnick, the inventor of transparent zinc oxide—the breakthrough that helped make modern mineral sunscreen wearable.
In this episode, Malachy shares the story behind burnd, what he believes the sunscreen industry gets wrong, and how the brand is taking on a category dominated by much larger legacy players. We talk about why great science alone isn’t enough to build a great consumer brand, how to earn attention and trust, and why burnd is focused on creating fewer, highly effective products rather than chasing endless launches.
We also discuss what it’s really like building a business with family, how surfing and outdoor living influenced the brand, the growing problem of skincare misinformation, and why Malachy believes sun protection should be viewed as part of everyday skin health—not just something you think about at the beach.
It’s a great conversation about challenging an established category, turning serious science into a brand consumers actually want, and what it takes to build something differentiated when you’re competing against companies with much bigger budgets.
Learn more about burnd at getburnd.com and follow @‌burndskincare on Instagram. You can also follow Malachy Mitchnick on Instagram and LinkedIn.
Listen wherever you get your podcasts. 🎧

Are you interested in sponsoring and advertising on The Kara Goldin Show, which is now in the Top 1% of Entrepreneur podcasts in the world? Let me know by contacting me atkaragoldin@gmail.com. You can also find me @‌KaraGoldin on all networks.

To learn more about Malachy Mitchnick and burnd:
https://getburnd.com/
https://www.instagram.com/burndskincare/
https://www.instagram.com/peloninthejungle/
https://www.linkedin.com/in/malachy-mitchnick-83b496163/

Sponsored By:

SelectQuote – Save more than fifty percent on term life insurance at SelectQuote.com/kara TODAY to get started.

Rippling – Head to Rippling.AI/KaraGoldin and get the only AI to give you full visibility across your business and take complex actions across your entire organization.

CashApp – For a limited time, new customers can get $10 added to their balance. Just use code BITCOIN10 when you sign up, and—don’t forget this part—send at least $5 to a friend in the first two weeks. Terms apply. Cash App is a financial services platform, not a bank. Banking services provided by Cash App’s bank partner(s). Bitcoin services provided by Block, Inc. brand. For additional information, see the Bitcoin disclosures at cash.app/legal/podcast.

IM8 – Get a free Welcome Kit and 5 free Travel sachets plus 10% off with code KARAGOLDIN at IM8HEALTH.com/karagoldin.

Naturium – Give your skin the affordable, luxurious glow up it deserves. Go to Naturium.com/KARAGOLDIN for 10% off your first purchase today.

LinkedIn Jobs – Head to LinkedIn.com/KaraGoldin to post your job for free.

Check out our website to view this episode’s show notes: https://karagoldin.com/podcast/893