International Women’s Day on March 8 is an opportunity to highlight the ongoing push for gender equality and to recognise women’s achievements across every part of society. In business, women-owned Australian small enterprises continue to grow, even as female founders grapple with funding shortfalls, entrenched bias and day-to-day barriers. While these hurdles remain, women are reshaping the landscape, with Treasury figures showing female small business ownership rose by 24 per cent between 2006 and 2021, outpacing men more than threefold, yet still accounting for only about one third of Australian small business owners.
Sunscreen Innovators Redefining Daily Protection
Airyday has carved out a niche as a sunscreen-skincare hybrid label, offering luxurious SPF products that combine protection with complexion-loving ingredients such as niacinamide and hyaluronic acid. Its formulas are recognised for being light, comfortable and non-greasy, turning daily SPF application into a ritual that feels closer to skincare than an obligation.
The brand was born from founder Frances Van Der Velden’s experience following a confronting skin cancer diagnosis, which prompted her to reconsider her relationship with sun protection. Having long disliked traditional sunscreen’s scent and heavy, sticky texture, she set out to develop a product she would genuinely look forward to wearing every day.
Today, Frances oversees a line of Dreamscreen SPF50+ sunscreens, including Golden Glow, Pearl Glow, Clear as Day, Mineral Mousse, Pretty in Zinc, a Fragrance Free option and Bronze Glow, each designed with distinct textures, finishes and scents. The Airyday range has expanded beyond sunscreen to include an LED light therapy mask and complementary skincare, reinforcing its positioning at the intersection of sun care and skin health.
Naked Sundays is another Australian name transforming how consumers approach SPF, specialising in sun protection designed to work seamlessly with makeup. Founder Samantha Brett, a former television news journalist, spent extensive time outdoors on the job and wanted a sunscreen that layered comfortably under a full face, without compromising either coverage or protection.
The brand’s focus is on making SPF an easy, non-negotiable step in beauty routines by offering formulas that feel weightless and sit well under or over makeup. Among its sought-after products are the SPF50+ Hydrating Glow Mist and the SPF50+ Collagen Glow Mineral Perfecting Priming Lotion, which cater to those who want luminous skin and high-level sun protection in one step.
Skincare Simplified by Female Founders
Go-To Skincare was created by former Cosmopolitan and Harper’s Bazaar beauty editor Zoë Foster Blake in response to what she saw as an intimidating and needlessly complex skincare market. Her goal was to deliver reliable, straightforward products that even those with sensitive complexions could use with confidence, leaving skin calm, balanced and healthy.
The brand’s cheerful identity and streamlined routines have helped it become a favourite for Australians seeking uncomplicated skincare that works across different skin types. Go-To formulations spotlight ingredients such as bakuchiol, a plant-derived alternative to retinol, and hyaluronic acid, a hydrating compound that occurs naturally in connective tissues, supporting the brand’s promise of effective yet gentle care.
Among Go-To’s best-known offerings are Face Hero, a nourishing face oil; Very Luxe Face Cream, a rich moisturiser; Much Plumper Skin Serum, designed to boost hydration; and Very Useful Daily Moisturiser, a versatile everyday cream. Each product reflects the brand’s philosophy of minimal fuss combined with credible results, reinforcing Zoë’s vision of approachable skincare that cuts through the noise.
KORA Organics, founded in 2009 by Australian supermodel Miranda Kerr, occupies a different corner of the skincare space with its certified organic, results-driven products. The brand champions clean, vegan and non-toxic formulas that aim to deliver visible benefits while maintaining a sense of attainable luxury.
What began as a small family-run business on Sydney’s northern beaches has evolved into an acclaimed Australian label recognised on the global stage. The range includes standout products such as Noni Face Glow, Noni Glow Sleep Mask, Milky Mushroom Gentle Cleansing Oil and Noni Glow Body Oil, each built around nutrient-rich botanicals and designed to support radiant, resilient skin.
O COSMEDICS, one of three skincare brands created by founder Maria after discovering her passion for beauty therapy soon after finishing high school, blends cosmetic science with medical-strength active ingredients. Positioned as a cosmedical skincare company, it focuses on addressing specific concerns with targeted, high-performance formulations.
Among its most popular products are the Firming and Lifting Neck Serum, developed to refine and support the delicate neck area; Immortal Cream, a treatment cream aimed at revitalising the complexion; and O-Biome Hydrating & Setting Spray, which has earned recognition including a Prevention best of beauty award in 2022. Together, these products reflect O COSMEDICS’ commitment to science-backed skincare that bridges the gap between salon treatment and at-home use.
Holistic Beauty From Within and Lanolin Classics
The Beauty Chef, founded by Carla Oates, has been instrumental in popularising the concept of “inner beauty” by highlighting how gut health can influence the skin. Carla’s own childhood experiences with eczema and allergies prompted her to explore the role of diet in overall wellness, ultimately guiding her toward a more holistic view of beauty.
After working as a fashion stylist and later as a beauty writer, she became increasingly concerned about the prevalence of synthetic ingredients in mainstream beauty products. This awareness shaped The Beauty Chef’s philosophy of harnessing wholefood, nutrient-dense ingredients to support skin from the inside out.
At the heart of the range is GLOW Inner Beauty Essential, a nutrient powder formulated to support gut health and, in turn, promote luminous skin when incorporated into a daily routine. The brand’s portfolio also includes Plumpers, Gut Primer and Deep Marine Collagen, products that reinforce its integrative approach by targeting both digestive wellbeing and visible skin concerns.
Lano, also known as Lanolips, is an Australian skincare label celebrated for its lanolin-based formulas that offer intense, natural hydration and help support the skin’s barrier. Drawing on lanolin’s emollient and protective qualities, the brand has built a reputation for providing straightforward, effective relief for dry, chapped or compromised skin.
Its hero product, the 101 Ointment Multipurpose Superbalm, has become a staple for many thanks to its versatility and rich, conditioning texture that can be used on lips, cuticles and other dry areas. Lano’s continued focus on lanolin as a central ingredient underscores the enduring appeal of simple, hardworking formulations in an increasingly crowded beauty market.
