Meet Tandia, the founder of Mother SPF!

We've loved getting the lowdown from Tandia, founder and legend behind Mother SPF - one of our best-selling clean sunscreen brands at Natural Supply Co.

Tell us about yourself Tandia, and what prompted you to start Mother?
I was fortunate enough to grow up on the coastlines of Western Australia. My parents founded the Willie Creek Pearl Farm outside of Broome. Summers spent fishing, crabbing and camping left me with a keen interest in preserving our country’s coastlines and water, and as a result I went on to study Marine Biology.

However, it was my mothers illness that really pushed me to dive deep into the harmful chemicals lurking in our everyday products, with sunscreen standing out as one of the worst offenders, affecting both our health and our environment. Frustrated by the lack of a natural SPF that met my needs, I decided to explore the possibility of creating my own. Et Viola, MOTHER SPF! Named in honour of my own mum and mother nature.

We know founders try not to have favourites - but what's your top Mother pick?
Our OG, Face and Body SPF is truly an all-around favourite! I adore the simplicity of its ingredient list—just 9 organic ingredients! It's perfect for all skin types, including the most sensitive skin. We've received countless glowing reviews from customers who say it’s the first SPF they can use without irritating their skin or their child’s skin, allowing them to enjoy Mother Nature whilst feeling safely protected.

What sets Mother sunscreens apart from supermarket sunscreens?
Just a few points to consider—firstly, we are a mineral-only suncare range, which is quite different from most supermarket sunscreens that are typically chemical-based. Mineral sunscreens work by reflecting UV rays, while chemical sunscreens absorb them, making them not really comparable.

It’s exciting to see more mineral sunscreens making their way into supermarkets—definitely a step in the right direction! However, it’s essential to look closely at all the other ingredients in those formulations. Are they known hormone disruptors? Do they cause skin inflammation? Are they reef safe? And is there long-term safety data available?

What really sets Mother SPF apart is our commitment to using ingredients backed by solid data confirming their safety. Our formulas work harmoniously with your skin’s natural biology, support the skin microbiome, are environmentally friendly, and, most importantly, provide excellent sun protection. 

In a nutshell, every ingredient we include plays an important part in supporting your skin’s health, all while being considerate of your well-being and the environment.

Can you tell us a bit about Mother's sustainability credentials?
At Mother SPF, we really care about the entire supply chain, not just the packaging! For starters, we don’t add any water to our formulations because we want to help preserve this precious resource. We opt for organic or wildcrafted ingredients and ensure that they are both reef-safe and biodegradable.

Our packaging is crafted from recycled plastic, allowing us to reduce plastic waste by taking materials from the ocean and repurposing them. Plus, our packaging is 100% recyclable, creating a closed loop for Mother SPF.

We’re proud that our manufacturer runs on 100% solar power, and since day one, we’ve been certified carbon positive right here in Australia! :)

Our biggest customer request with natural sunscreens is that customers want them to sink in and leave a matte finish. Which Mother SPF would you recommend to these customers?
It was definitely one of our most popular requests! That’s why we created Mineral Mousse - the ideal SPF for those with oily or acne-prone skin. Thanks to Niacinamide and the addition of Tapioca starch, it gives your skin a beautiful velvet matte finish.

How do you avoid that typical white cast with Mother sunscreens?
We’re excited to share that we use a specialised Zinc dispersion technology, which helps our Zinc Oxide blend in seamlessly with minimal white cast. While darker skin tones may still experience a subtle white tint, we’ve created our Mother of Pearl Drops just for this reason! These drops are designed to mix beautifully with our SPF, giving you an instant bronzed glow without any white cast, all while protecting your skin from blue light and pollution.

How do you use the Mother of Pearl Drops and why do you love them so much?
They’re absolutely customisable and super concentrated, so if you have fair skin, you really only need the tiniest drop! I like to mix a little bit into my Mother SPF, blend it on the back of my hand, and then apply it to my face. After that, I usually go back in and use it as a highlighter on my cheekbones.

I love them so much because I’m not a big fan of wearing makeup, but I still want my skin to look fresh and have a touch of colour. These drops do just that, and it's reassuring to know they’re protecting my skin too - especially since I spend a lot of time in front of a laptop, and we know blue light can be damaging to the skin.

Do you have any hot tips on new products coming out this year?
We’ve received so many requests for a lip balm, and we're thrilled to share that it will be launching later this year! We also have a new face SPF on the way, but I’ll keep the details under wraps for now—I don't want to give away all the surprises just yet!