HERE COMES THE SUN
- Donna Rishton
- Dec 2, 2025
- 4 min read
When you live in the subtropics, sun safety isn’t just a health precaution — it’s a way of life. From ocean dips to hinterland hikes, our days revolve around the outdoors, so smart sun protection is non-negotiable. Thankfully, a new wave of local brands are blending science, style, and sustainability to keep us covered — literally — with products made for life under the southern sun.
Whether it’s glowing skin, shady beach days, or a sunscreen that finally feels good to wear, slip, slop, shade — and shop local while you’re at it.
Eye of Horus
Clean, Conscious, Sun-Safe Beauty
Born in Byron Bay, Eye of Horus has become synonymous with clean, conscious beauty that performs effortlessly under the Australian sun. Their SPF-infused foundations fuse skincare and coverage to enhance and illuminate the skin while offering broad-spectrum protection. The Ritual Skin Foundation Stick (SPF 30+) delivers lightweight, semi-matte coverage that stays put through long summer days. Suitable for all skin types, this multitasking foundation is revered for its nourishing, long-wear formula and convenient twist-up design — perfect for on-the-go touch-ups when staying shine-free matters.
The Second Skin Foundation (SPF 25+) is a skincare-led liquid enriched with Moringa, Witch Hazel, Ectoin and Abyssinian Oil for buildable, natural coverage and a hydrated, real-skin finish — ideal for all-day wear and that effortless, beach-fresh look. For a luminous, dewy glow, the Skin Tint Serum Foundation (SPF 15+) combines antioxidants and seven sacred oils to boost radiance and support overall skin health. Each formula is non-greasy, nourishing, and tailored to Australian lifestyles — proof that high-performance beauty and sun safety can glow beautifully together.
Sunee Co.
For Wave Riders and Sun Chasers
For surfers & sun-chasers, Sunee Co. was born from a family’s love of the ocean, and their frustration with beach gear that couldn’t keep up. Based on the Northern Rivers, the brand designs clever, fashionable essentials that make time in the sun safer and simpler.
Their Surf Caps are a game-changer: stylish, quick-dry, lightweight, and designed to stay on in the surf, complete with adjustable chin & back straps. Available in three colours, they encourage safe sun habits without compromising comfort.
Sunee Anchor Towels are another innovation – sand-free, fast-drying and fitted with magnetic corners so you can hang them anywhere from your van, boat, or car when changing. Add in their sleek and super durable Wetty Bucket beach bag to keep your valuables safe and dry, and you’ve got your sun-smart summer kit sorted.
Created for ocean lovers who spend hours outdoors, tested by real families and surfers, Sunee Co. proves that sun protection and coastal cool can go hand-in-hand.
@sunee_co
Naturally Cooked
Sunscreen for the Everyday Aussie Bloke
Brisbane mates Lachlan Baxter and Jake Brown grew up in the skin cancer capital of the world, watching friends get burned every summer. When they learned Aussie men die from skin cancer twice as often as women, they knew it was time for change. Frustrated by greasy, medicinal products that didn’t resonate with men, they created Naturally Cooked— a sunscreen made for blokes, by blokes.
The result is an SPF 50+ broad-spectrum lotion with four-hour water resistance that’s light, dry-touch and non-greasy, so it feels more like a moisturiser than a chore. Aloe Vera and Vitamin E soothe and hydrate, making it ideal for sensitive skin, while the fast-absorbing formula leaves no white cast — perfect for anyone spending hours outdoors, from tradies and surfers to children alike.
Driven by purpose, Naturally Cooked is tackling Australia’s sun safety crisis head-on while donating 10% of profits to TIACS, supporting mental health for Aussie tradies. It’s sunscreen you’ll actually want to wear — easy, effective, and made for real Australian lives.
Byron Bay Beach Life
Retro Design Meets Modern Protection
It all began with Nathan and Sarah Causer’s beloved 1960s beach tent — a nostalgic piece of family history that sparked a vision for something new. Realising most beach gear was either practical or pretty (but rarely both), the siblings set out to create shade that looked as good as it performed. Enter Byron Bay Beach Life: where vintage charm meets modern sun protection.
From humble beginnings, the brand has grown into one of Australia’s most recognisable lifestyle labels, selling over 15,000 tents globally. Their range of tents, umbrellas, chairs and towels blends retro-inspired design with clever innovation, crafted from UPF 50+ fabrics tested to Australian standards. Each piece is lightweight, easy to assemble and built for endless summers by the sea.
Following a recent glow-up, the fresh hues of the Verge, Ember and Drift collections draw inspiration from the Australian landscape — from hinterland greens to desert reds and calming coastal blues. Nostalgic yet forward-thinking, Byron Bay Beach Life captures the spirit of Byron itself: relaxed, sun-smart and timelessly coastal.
Sunkind by Burleigh & Co
Gentle Care for Every Body
Born on the Gold Coast and inspired by the easy rhythm of Burleigh life, Sunkind by Burleigh & Co was created from a simple belief — that every Australian family deserves sun care that’s safe, gentle, and made with love.
After discovering how many mainstream sunscreens contained ingredients unfit for children’s skin, this local family set out to create a cleaner, kinder alternative. Their mineral-based sunscreen offers broad-spectrum protection using 100% toxin-free ingredients that are reef safe, plastic neutral, vegan, and cruelty-free. Light on the skin with a mild, pleasant scent, it glides on smoothly without leaving a white cast, and every batch is independently tested for SPF integrity.
More than just protection, Sunkind is about peace of mind — knowing you’re keeping your family safe while embracing the outdoor lifestyle we all love. Proudly made in Australia, it’s a feel-good sunscreen you’ll love to wear and trust on your kids’ skin — pure, practical, and perfectly Burleigh.
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