INTRODUCE US TO MOTHER SPF AND THE STORY OF HOW IT CAME ABOUT.

MOTHER SPF is an Australian made physical sunscreen using only naturally derived organic ingredients and the safest UV mineral filter, Non-Nano Zinc Oxide.

The idea for a physical sunscreen was born out of necessity in 2016 when my mother was diagnosed with leukemia. Whilst undergoing treatment, her doctor recommended that she be careful with the personal care products she was using in order to eliminate any further exposure to chemicals.

In order to help my mum transition over to cleaner personal care products I discovered how nasty some chemical sunscreens can be and finding a clean, cosmetically appealing, eco-friendly and safe sunscreen proved surprisingly difficult and the idea of smothering myself in the ones I could find absolutely terrified me to be honest.

This ultimately resulted in me passionately studying the chemistry of ingredients (I had previously studied marine biology) and experimenting with clean concoctions in my kitchen to partnering with expert formulators and lastly finding a licensed laboratory that could make it for me and bring it to life a few years later. MOTHER SPF contains NO chemical UV absorbers, preservatives, silicones, nano-particles, emulsifiers, animal derivatives, gluten, fragrance or essential oils, parabens and is cruelty free.

Instead what you will find is a 100% naturally derived, certified organic, broad spectrum SPF 30, reef friendly, sustainably made, 4 hour water resistant, vegan, skin microbiome protecting physical sunscreen. Furthermore, our tubes are made out of recycled plastics and are also 100% recyclable. MOTHER SPF comes in organic cotton reusable bags and is manufactured in Australia with 100% solar power.

Basically, if it isn’t produced by Mother Earth or eco-friendly, it isn’t in MOTHER SPF.

WHY IS NATURAL SUNSCREEN IMPORTANT?

SPF is something you use daily (well, hopefully!) and it's something that gets smothered all over your body (and the ocean too) so if you go clean with anything in your personal care routine - let it be SPF!

Unlike chemical sunscreens, physical/natural sunscreens aren’t absorbed into the skin and sit safely on the skin's surface shielding you from the sun. The problem with some chemical sunscreens is that they have been found to be endocrine disruptors, interfere with our hormones, cause skin reactions and in very extreme cases - linked to cancer (Scary isn’t it!)

The other issue is that some chemical sunscreen ingredients (e.g Oxybenzone and Octinoxate) slide off your slathered up bod and into the ocean while you’re having a dip, and have been found to contribute to the declining health of coral, resulting in coral bleaching, which essentially means it’s stressed TF out and is susceptible to disease and even death.

WHAT ARE YOUR FAVOURITE SELF-CARE RITUALS?

My mornings are my favourites and always allow me to have that “me” time. Starting with some form of exercise and an ocean dip. I come home and make myself either a coconut milk matcha or turmeric latte before I make my favourite meal of the day - breakfast. I never rush breakfast, either taking time to cut up whatever fresh fruit is currently in season to go with homemade coconut yogurt and granola that I make weekly or making porridge over the stove when the weather is a little colder.

WHAT ARE YOU DOING CURRENTLY TO STAY INSPIRED AND CREATIVE DURING THIS TIME OF ISOLATION?

As mentioned above, I go for a morning swim most days (the salt water is also amazing for my skin and I love any excuse to be in the ocean). Because we are all now working from home instead of rolling from bed to my desk I like to get out of the house first thing in the morning (while practising social distancing) and come back in the mind-frame that I am now “going to my office” instead of “going home”. It’s so important to keep them both separate in order to stay creative and inspired.

Check out Mother SPF in store at Nimbus Co or visit www.motherspf.com / @motherspf.