Ask most Australians whether they wear sunscreen every day and they’ll probably hesitate before answering. We all know we should. We grew up hearing it. Two in three Australians will be diagnosed with skin cancer by the age of 70, and yet the daily sunscreen habit has never quite stuck the way it should. The product has always been the problem. Too greasy, too white, too heavy, impossible to reapply over makeup without looking like you’ve just rubbed chalk on your face.
That’s the problem Naked Sundays set out to fix. And in a pretty short amount of time, it’s done a convincing job of it.
How It Started
Samantha Brett spent more than a decade as a television news reporter, which meant standing outside in the Australian sun for hours at a stretch, under camera lights, with a full face of makeup that couldn’t be touched. She knew the rules about reapplying sunscreen every two hours. She just couldn’t do it without ruining her look. Every product she tried left a mess.
The motivation to actually do something about it became more personal after two of her colleagues had skin cancers removed from their faces. As Brett told The Industry Beauty, “what if SPF could be wearable, re-applicable, and actually fun to use?” So she spent about eighteen months researching formulations, working through Australia’s notoriously strict Therapeutic Goods Administration approval process, and building what would become the brand.
Naked Sundays launched in January 2021 with two products. Both sold out in under three weeks. The brand hit six figures in its first month and seven figures within the first year. Nine months in, it exclusively partnered with Mecca and sold three months’ worth of stock within 24 hours of the launch going live. For a brand with no major retail backing and a product category most people treat as an afterthought, that’s a genuinely impressive start.
What It Actually Does
The whole point of Naked Sundays is that sunscreen should fit around your life rather than interrupt it. Every product is designed to work under makeup, over makeup, or on bare skin, with no white cast, no greasy finish, and no pill-y texture that wrecks whatever you’ve already applied.
All formulations are manufactured in Australia and meet TGA standards, which require SPF testing on every individual batch rather than just on the original formula. It’s one of the stricter sunscreen regulatory frameworks in the world, which is part of why Australian-made SPF products tend to carry a lot of credibility internationally. The brand has since expanded into Sephora UK, Boots, Revolve, Urban Outfitters, Anthropologie, and US Target stores, so it’s clearly translating.
The Products Worth Knowing About
SPF50+ Hydrating Glow Mist
The one that started it all, and still the most recognisable product in the range. A fine mist that delivers SPF50+ protection alongside hyaluronic acid, watermelon extract, and Kakadu plum. It applies invisibly over a bare face or a full face of makeup and doesn’t disturb anything underneath. Sits at around $23. If you only try one Naked Sundays product, this is probably the one.
SPF50+ Collagen Boost Perfecting Priming Lotion
The brand’s bestselling formula. It works as a sunscreen, a makeup primer, and a skincare treatment all in one step, using 100% mineral zinc oxide alongside vegan collagen, watermelon extract, and iron oxides that eliminate white cast and offer added protection against blue light. Fragrance-free, non-comedogenic, and suited to all skin types. Good option if you want to simplify your morning routine rather than add another step to it.
SPF50 Clear Glow Radiant Sunscreen Serum
A lightweight water-based serum formula with squalane, watermelon extract, tomato extract, and jojoba oil. Does the SPF job without any heaviness. Good for people who find cream formulas too much under makeup or in warmer weather.
Cabana Clear Water Gel Serum SPF50
Zero silicone, clear finish, quick-drying. This one was chosen as part of Naked Sundays’ US Target launch, which is a reasonable signal that it travels well across different skin types and preferences. Good for sensitive or acne-prone skin in particular.
BeautyScreen Peptide Foundation Tint SPF50
A more recent addition and one that’s picked up a following of its own. Tinted sunscreen with niacinamide, peptides, squalane, and polyglutamic acid, available in 15 shades. Alix Earle has mentioned it publicly after her dermatologist approved it for acne-prone skin, which has brought it a lot of attention in the US market.
Glow Balm Sticks
SPF50+ in a compact balm stick format with a slight tint. Easy to throw in a bag and use as sun protection and a quick cosmetic touch-up at the same time. Underrated, honestly.
Where to Buy in Australia
In Australia, Naked Sundays is stocked at Mecca in stores and online. You can also shop the full range directly through the Naked Sundays website, with free domestic shipping on orders over $80 and a flat $6 rate below that.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who owns Naked Sundays?
Naked Sundays was founded by Samantha Brett and remains founder-led. Brett launched the brand in 2021 after her career as a television news reporter and continues to drive its direction and product development.
Is Naked Sundays cruelty-free?
Yes. Naked Sundays is certified cruelty-free by PETA, meaning neither their finished products nor their ingredients are tested on animals. This extends to their suppliers and third-party partners, and their products are not sold in markets that require animal testing.
Is Naked Sundays Australian owned?
Yes. It’s an Australian-founded, Australian-owned brand based in Sydney. Samantha Brett came up with the concept in Bondi, and the brand has remained Australian-owned since launch.
Is Naked Sundays made in Australia?
Yes. Products are formulated and manufactured in Australia under TGA compliance. Because sunscreen is classified as a listed medicine in Australia, every batch is independently tested for SPF efficacy before it can be sold, which is a higher bar than many other countries apply.
Is Naked Sundays organic?
No. Naked Sundays doesn’t market itself as an organic brand and holds no organic certification. The focus is on high-performance, science-backed SPF formulations with clean and sustainably sourced ingredients rather than on organic status specifically.
Is Naked Sundays vegan?
Yes. All products in the range are 100% vegan. This includes the collagen formulas, which use a vegan collagen alternative that the brand says has a smaller molecular structure than animal-derived collagen, allowing it to penetrate the skin more effectively. The brand is also PETA certified cruelty-free.
Is Naked Sundays reef safe?
Yes. All Naked Sundays products are free from oxybenzone and octinoxate, the two UV filters most widely associated with coral reef damage. The brand states on its FAQ page that it meets Hawaii’s reef-safe standards, which are among the strictest applied anywhere globally.
Is Naked Sundays good for sensitive or acne-prone skin?
Generally, yes, though the answer depends a bit on which product you choose. The mineral formulas, which use zinc oxide as the active, are the better starting point for sensitive or oily skin because zinc oxide is less likely to cause irritation or reactions. The chemical formulas (the Glow Mist range) tend to suit combination or drier skin types better. All formulas across the range are non-comedogenic, meaning they’re designed not to clog pores. If you’re not sure which direction to go, the brand offers to swap products if what you buy doesn’t work for your skin.
What is the difference between Naked Sundays’ chemical and mineral sunscreens?
Chemical sunscreens work by absorbing UV rays and converting them to heat, which is then released from the skin. They tend to feel lighter and are easier to apply invisibly, which is why the Glow Mist works so well over makeup. Mineral sunscreens use zinc oxide to physically block UV rays from reaching the skin, which is generally better tolerated by sensitive or reactive skin. Naked Sundays recommends their mineral range for sensitive, oily, or reactive skin, and their chemical range for combination to dry skin types.
Does Naked Sundays leave a white cast?
No. Avoiding white cast was one of the core design goals from the beginning. The chemical formulas apply invisibly. The mineral formulas use iron oxides to counteract the typical chalky finish that zinc oxide can leave, which means they spread to a translucent finish despite containing a high concentration of zinc.
