by Rebecca Parsons

It’s no secret that San Clemente is privy to incredible weather. Our stretch of coastline is treated to roughly 300 sunny days per year, explaining the high cost of living and influx of tourists. And while the frequent sunshine is perfect for beach walks, year-round surf sessions, and outdoor get togethers, it’s common knowledge that UV rays are harmful to the skin.

 Surfer Jared Mitchell has been in the skincare industry for the past 20 years. Alongside his wife, he founded Skincare by Alana, a retail e-commerce destination that’s been serving millions of customers for over two decades. Although Mitchell is obviously a fan of skincare, he wanted to “reframe SPF as equipment (or ammunition) for the outdoors.”

Mitchell and his family are always outside. They’re regularly surfing at Trestles, fishing at the harbor, hunting, spear fishing, or attending their kids’ sporting events. Because they spend so much time in the sun sunscreen is a regular part of their routine. Mitchell wanted a sunscreen that didn’t feel like mud and rub off on clothing but instead felt like gear for his time outside.

“When you are fortunate enough to live in a coastal surf town like San Clemente, the sun is part of your daily routine,” says Mitchell. “That’s where GhostAmmo comes from.”

GhostAmmo was a labor of love and took three years of trial and error to perfect. A self- proclaimed perfectionist, Mitchell went through dozens of versions, tweaking texture, performance, and water resistance. He wanted something that went on clear, didn’t rub off, wouldn’t sting your eyes, and that worked for sensitive skin. Eventually, he landed on a recipe that ticked all his boxes and GhostAmmo was born.

The name GhostAmmo was directly inspired by the lifestyle and product that Mitchell created. He opted for ammo-shaped packaging as a nod to rugged gear. The ghost portion was chosen because the debut formula is invisible once absorbed by the skin.

Unlike most sunscreens you’ll find at the store, GhostAmmo is a mineral sunscreen. Mineral sunscreen, as opposed to traditional chemical sunscreen, sits on the top of the skin to physically block UV rays. Mineral sunscreen is better for the environment and your skin and results in less irritation, no hormone-disrupting chemicals, and no stinging eyes.

“With GhostAmmo we’ve done what’s rare,” says Mitchell. “We made it invisible and non-greasy, so you don’t have to deal with the classic white cast problem, or greasy hands for your favorite hobbies (like fishing or golfing).”

GhostAmmo’s ingredients are all clean and natural. Zinc Oxide (10%) and Titanium Dioxide (5.5%), both natural mineral filters, serve as the active ingredients in the mineral sunscreen. The list of inactive ingredients is simple: lightweight emollients, iron oxides for tone, and vitamin E for skin health. GhostAmmo is fragrance-free, reef safe, hypo allergenic, and FDA-compliant.

According to Mitchell, there are four things that set GhostAmmo apart from other sunscreen brands. First off, the packaging is a patented ammo-shaped stick that belongs in a tackle box or range bag. Second, the formula is invisible mineral, eye-safe, no rub off, and fragrance-free. Third, GhostAmmo is affordable. The mineral stick is just $14.99, where most invisible mineral sticks are double that. Finally, GhostAmmo was born in San Clemente and formulated in San Juan Capistrano.

Although Mitchell is a big fan of his creation, he’s gotten other opinions along the way. He’s had professional surfers, anglers, and hunters testing GhostAmmo since day one. Repeatedly, he hears that athletes love that the sunscreen is clear, doesn’t sting, and doesn’t rub off in the water. They also love that they’re supporting a family-owned business and that the sunscreen is made locally. He says many have added that ‘the packaging makes me feel like Rambo.’

The patented ammo stick is GhostAmmo’s flagship, but they’ve got more patented formats in the pipeline. All the new products are designed with the same philosophy as their mineral stick: gear-first, mineral, invisible, and rugged. They have a thicker SPF made for longer lasting sessions in the water coming soon and a body spray as well, both mineral and natural. The newest formats will be made public once patents are fully achieved.

Currently, GhostAmmo is available online through their website and at select shops like Killer Dana and Used Surf. They also have plans to expand into premium retailers and multi door nationwide outdoor chains in 2025.

“GhostAmmo isn’t a beauty product; it’s ammunition to protect you from the sun,” says Mitchell. “Our goal is to make SPF something guys, teens, kids, moms, and athletes want to carry and even more importantly, will actually use - whether they’re paddling out, fishing all day, or on a hunt in the desert.”