With a background in science, a childhood spent engulfed in nature and a family illness spotlighting harmful chemicals in everyday products, in 2019, Tandia Walsh created the natural mineral sunscreen brand MOTHER SPF.

We caught up with Tandia to find out about her journey to founding Mother SPF, what a typical day looks like at Mother HQ and (of course), her fondest scent memories.

Tell us about your journey to founding Mother SPF.

Mother SPF is an Australian suncare brand that provides luxurious, clean, and science-backed suncare products you'll truly love using every day.

I started Mother SPF in 2019 after my own mother received a cancer diagnosis. In my quest to find safe and effective skincare for her, I was taken aback by the number of SPF brands that use questionable ingredients, potentially harmful to both our bodies and the environment.

With my background in marine biology and growing up in the Kimberlys, I set out on a mission to create a sunscreen that not only protects your skin from the sun but also features safe, sustainable ingredients that nourish the skin while keeping aesthetics in mind.

What does a typical day at Mother HQ look like for you?

Every day is quite unique for me, especially since I'm the sole employee at Mother SPF. My routine usually kicks off with going through my emails and taking care of anything urgent that needs attention. From there, I dedicate my mornings to tasks that will help me achieve my goals for the business over the next five years. This might involve developing future products, forecasting cashflows, or connecting with regulatory consultants in the international markets I hope to expand into. It's easy to get tangled up in what I like to call the “weeds” of daily operations—like answering customer service emails and responding to Instagram comments. While these tasks are important, they don't necessarily push me closer to my long-term vision for the company. So, I prioritise planning and focusing on my goals in the mornings when my mind is fresh, and after lunch, when I tend to feel a bit more worn out, I switch gears to tackle orders, social media, and all those little tasks that need my attention.

We love that all Mother products are all water-free (IYKYK)! Tell us about why you have taken this approach? 

I clearly remember the moment I had a conversation with a cosmetic scientist who revealed that most skincare products are about 80% water. I was spending $125 on a serum at the time, so finding out that I was primarily paying for water was quite a letdown. It really is the easiest way for companies to reduce costs on their products.

What really caught my attention, though, was learning that any product with water also needs a preservative, as mold and bacteria thrive in wet environments. Water-free products or oil-based ones don’t require preservatives because bacteria can’t grow without water.

Around that time, I was dealing with some gut issues after years of taking antibiotics for my acne during my younger years. I had come to understand the importance of a diverse gut microbiome and how antibiotics eliminate both good and bad bacteria. Just like our gut, our skin has a microbiome too, and imbalances there can lead to issues like acne and eczema. 

Preservatives act similarly to antibiotics—they can disrupt the bacteria on our skin. The secret to maintaining healthy skin is to support a balanced skin microbiome, which is why we decided to formulate a skin-focused SPF by eliminating preservatives from our formulas. This meant removing water, resulting in a more concentrated product that, while pricier, allows you to use less, making it last much longer!

We are so excited to be sharing your new Mother of Pearl serum with VAHY customers. Can you tell us about why you created this product, and who it’s best suited to?

Mineral sunscreens primarily use Zinc Oxide as their UV filter, helping to reflect UV rays away from your skin. Since zinc oxide is a white powder, it’s quite tricky to achieve a completely invisible finish with mineral sunscreens. That’s why I developed our Mother of Pearl drops! These concentrated bronzing drops blend seamlessly with our SPF, eliminating any white cast and giving your skin a lovely, instant bronzed glow.

The fantastic part is that they also provide protection against free radical damage, pollution, and blue light—factors that can contribute to skin aging. So, when you pair them with Mother SPF, you’re covering all your bases against environmental aggressors that can really impact your skin! Whilst giving your skin this incredible bronzed glow. 

Give us your hot tips on how best to use Mother of Pearl in your skincare and makeup routine.

Mother of Pearl drops are perfect for all skin types - they truly are universal! Because they're super concentrated, you can easily customise your glow. For those with pale skin, just one drop mixed into your SPF can do the trick, while darker skin tones might prefer adding three drops for that extra radiance. 

They're also fantastic to mix into your moisturiser, foundation, or even to use on your body! Simply blend one drop of the pearl drops into your favorite skincare product, mix it up, and apply evenly across your face. I love adding a few extra drops afterwards to really highlight my cheekbones! Here is an example. 

And what’s coming up for Mother in 2025?

I’m thrilled to share that I’ll be hiring my first employee this June! After six years of being the sole member of team Mother SPF, this is such an exciting milestone for me. 

With this new addition, I’ll finally have more time to dive into future product development, which is really where my passion shines in this business. We’re planning a complete packaging overhaul and launching two new formulations. 2025 has the potential to be our best year yet!

What is your fondest scent memory, and why?

My father was a pearl diver, and my parents owned a pearl farm, so I guess you could say my childhood was all about the aromas of salty oceans and seafood. While it might not be the most delightful scent, it's pretty powerful—nothing can really compete with it. Whenever I think of scent, the ocean always comes to mind and it brings me home.  

What type of scents are you drawn to?

I love anything nature-inspired! Scents that are salty or very fresh really bring back memories of the ocean, and woody aromas make me think of my hiking adventures in the great outdoors.