40 Years Of Sun-Protected Adventures With Australian Gold
Efficacy is always key in skincare—but when it comes to SPF, it’s what matters most. On the other hand, sunscreen isn’t effective if you don’t actually want to wear and reapply it, so things like scent, feel, and formula matter a lot too. For the past few decades, Australian Gold has been one of those reliable sun-care brands that offer an SPF to every type of sun-seeker. It has body bronzers with SPF for poolside loungers; quick-dry, water-resistant sprays with cooling technology for summer athletes, a face-and-scalp mist for on-the-go adventurers, and the list goes on.
In honor of Australian Gold’s 40th anniversary, we’re diving into the brand’s history, starting with its humble surf-shop roots, and along the way highlighting our favorite products from every sun-soaked era so far.
Surf-Shop Origins
The brand launched onto the Cocoa Beach, Florida, surfing scene in 1985 with tanning lotions and bronzers. “We offered affordable, luxurious skincare-focused products that encouraged people to get outside,” says Rachel Harkin, Australian Gold’s director of marketing. Inspired by Australian beach culture, the products contained (as they still do today) botanicals from Down Under like hydrating desert honey myrtle, and featured the brand’s now-signature coastal scent, Cocoa Dreams, with notes of coconut, vanilla, and orange.
New Millennium, New Sun Protection
Australian Gold’s first dedicated sun-care line—Instant Bronzers With SPF—arrived in 2000, giving consumers the glow they craved and the broad-spectrum UV protection they needed. The bronzers stood out for their spray-gel application, which was the first of its kind in the category and offered “the convenience of a continuous spray with the effectiveness of a traditional lotion,” says Harkin.
The brand continued to diversify its range over the next two decades, launching its first SPF-only (no bronzer) products with water-resistant formulas in 2008 (now known as the Ultimate Hydration Collection), and its Botanicals line of gentle mineral sunscreens with natural ingredients in 2016.
Milestones And Innovative Sun-Care Solutions
Now, four decades in, Australian Gold is available in 72 countries and continues to evolve and innovate as it fulfills the needs of its sun-chasing consumers. Its latest launch is a 100% Mineral Collection of tinted face and body formulas. The line serves as a solution for sun-goers who prefer mineral formulas but don’t love the white, chalky residue they often leave behind.
Keep reading to learn more about the line, as well as other recent highlights from the brand’s always-expanding portfolio of sun protection.
Australian Gold Mineral SPF 30 Lotion
Formulated with the brand’s Vanishing Nude Tint, this SPF 30 body lotion blends into skin without the white cast associated with most mineral sunscreens. It also comes in SPF 50.
Australian Gold Mineral SPF 50 Tinted Face Rich to Deep
Doubling as a BB cream, this sunscreen blurs imperfections, mattifies skin, and protects with broad-spectrum mineral filters. It’s formulated with desert honey myrtle and tea-tree oil to help support the skin’s natural healing and protect it from environmental stressors, Harkin adds. It comes in three easy-to-blend shades: Rich to Deep, Medium to Tan, and Fair to Light.
Australian Gold SPF 50 Continuous Spray Sport Ultra Chill
In addition to being water-resistant for up to 80 minutes, non-greasy, and quick-drying, it features menthol-derived Ultra Chill technology. “This provides sweat-activated cooling and helps neutralize odors to help keep you fresh all day,” says Harkin.
Australian Gold Sunscreen Cleanser
And when the sun goes down, you’ll need this gentle oil-based cleanser. It effectively washes off any type of sunscreen, as well as makeup and environmental stressors, without drying out the skin, thanks to a nourishing blend of vitamin E and squalane.
Ariel Wodarcyk is a freelance beauty and wellness writer based in New York City. Her work has appeared in Cosmo, ELLE, Good Housekeeping, Popsugar, and Makeup.com. Outside of work, you can find her hunting down signature scents for loved ones and scouring PerfumeTok.