With summer fast approaching, we decided it was time to take a deep dive with Mother SPF Founder Tandia Walsh and ask her all things sunscreen and suncare.
Tell us a little about your brand and how Mother started.
Mother SPF is an exciting homegrown brand that offers luxurious, clean, and science-backed suncare products you'll genuinely enjoy using every single day.
I founded Mother SPF back in 2019 after my own mother received a cancer diagnosis. While searching for safe and effective skincare for her, I was shocked to discover how many SPF brands include questionable ingredients that can be harmful both to our bodies and the environment.
With my background in marine biology, I embarked on a journey to create an SPF that not only protects your skin from the sun but also incorporates safe, sustainable ingredients that nourish the skin without sacrificing aesthetics.
What do you think is important when formulating a successful spf?
It's important that it's registered with the Therapeutics Goods Administration (TGA). With Australia having the highest rates of skin cancer in the world, thanks to our sunny climate, we also have some of the strictest SPF regulations globally. Here in Australia, SPF is treated as a medicine and must undergo extensive testing before it can be made available to the public.
When formulating an SPF, it's really important to create one that meets TGA approval, ensuring that you're providing the best sun protection possible.
What is the difference between a chemical and physical sunscreen?
Physical sunscreens, often referred to as mineral sunscreens, use Zinc Oxide and/or Titanium Dioxide to reflect UV rays. They sit comfortably on the surface of the skin, creating a protective barrier. This makes them a fantastic choice for those with sensitive skin, as they don't interact with it, and they’re generally considered safe because their molecules are too large to be absorbed into the body. Plus, being made from natural minerals means they’re also reef safe and friendly to the environment!
Chemical sunscreens use synthetic ingredients that engage in a chemical reaction to absorb UV rays and release them as heat. While effective, this interaction can sometimes lead to skin irritation and inflammation. Additionally, the active ingredients can enter the bloodstream, raising some health concerns; they've even been detected in places like umbilical cords (ekk!)
What was the thought process behind choosing the ingredients in Mother spf?
For me, when it comes to formulating for MOTHER SPF, I often engage in deep conversations with the green cosmetic chemist I collaborate with. I find myself asking:
- What is the fundamental goal of our skin?
- What role does it play in our overall health?
- And are the ingredients we choose genuinely enhancing and supporting this vital purpose, or are they sacrificing it for a fleeting moment of superficial beauty?
I formulate very much for the health of the skin microbiome, and this is why I stay clear from ingredients like preservatives, silicones, PEG based emulsifiers, mineral oils and chemical sunscreens that can all wreak havoc on our microbiome. Which is the key to healthy skin.
What do you think are the key ingredients that make a necessary sunscreen?
While the ingredients in sunscreens can differ across various formulations—especially when comparing chemical versus mineral SPFs—they all adhere to a foundational "base" formulation to ensure that protection remains high, and the overall stability is maintained.
Both mineral and chemical sunscreens are typically created using a blend of ingredients such as solvents, oils, waxes, emulsifiers, humectants, and, of course, UV filters.
What are your thoughts about the connection with the likeness between Mother Spf and Biologi from a brand and ethos perspective.
Absolutely aligned. Both brands proudly hail from Australia and are deeply committed to utilising Australian ingredients. We truly value the beauty of natural ingredients and how harmoniously they interact with our skin.
Why do you think Biologi and Mother spf works so beautifully together?
Both brands prioritise using only ingredients that truly benefit the skin, steering clear of those like silicones, preservatives, and fragrances, among others. This thoughtful approach means they exclusively incorporate skin-identical and skin-compatible ingredients, making them a fantastic match!
There is a lot if misinformation about sunscreen on social media, what the best advice you can give about sunscreen?
To remember that no sunscreen can block 100% of UV rays! If you’re unsure about which sunscreen to choose, just remember that hats, sunnies, rashies, and other protective gear should be your first line of defence. And hopefully, MOTHER is a close second!
SHOP Mother SPF here