New Mexico startup looks to combat skin cancer while keeping the environment clean 

NEW MEXICO (KRQE) – According to the CDC, skin cancer is the most common form of cancer diagnosed in the United States. New Mexico’s high elevation can intensify the sun’s effect on the body’s largest organ. New Mexico start-up company that is looking to keep people safe and the environment cleaner.

New Mexico’s high desert is perfect for outdoor activities an average of more than 300 days of sunshine attraction enthusiasts from across the country and across the globe. But that benefit comes with a cost.

A 2011 study by the CDC and the New Mexico Department of Health found that approximately 50 New Mexicans die each year from melanoma, one of the most common forms of skin cancer.

Alexandra Merlino is an outdoor enthusiast and several entrepreneurs. Like many folks in New Mexico, she has what she calls a love-hate relationship with the lotion. “People just don’t like sunscreen. And neither did I. So I would fight with the sun. I wear hats and long sleeves. Would try and avoid going out at midday. Just to not have to wear sunscreen,” said Merlino.

That outlook shifted after she was diagnosed with skin cancer herself in 2020. “That made me pause and realize if I want to prioritize being outside, which I do, I need to embrace sunscreen,” said Merlino.

That led her and three of her colleagues to create Bee Wild Outside, an environmentally-friendly sunscreen that not only avoids harsh chemicals it reduces the amount of plastic bottles in landfills by giving the consumer a reusable dispenser, designed with the adventures in mind.

The sunscreen is mineral-based using zinc and titanium oxide to reflect the sun’s UV rays. As opposed to chemical-based sunscreens, Merlino says Bee Wild outside is gentler on the skin and is safe for those with sensitivity to skin products.

Their SPF40 lotion has received FDA approval and the reusable dispensers are currently in development the company hopes to get the sunscreen on the market by August. But as Merlino said it’s not just about putting it on once and forgetting about it.

She recommends reapplying sunscreen about every two hours as sweat, water, and the sun all work to degrade protection. Bee Wild Outside hopes that its product will not only the skin of its clients but also the environment since it is a reusable and recyclable product. Bee WildOutside is currently looking for more investors and will be launching a crowd-funding campaign in the coming months.