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“International Women’s Day (IWD) on March 8 is a moment to champion gender equality and honor the invaluable contributions of women across all areas of life.
In the business world, women-owned small businesses in Australia are on the rise, yet female founders continue to navigate funding gaps, industry bias, and numerous challenges.
Despite these barriers, women are leading change — Treasury data shows that the number of female small business owners grew by 24% between 2006 and 2021, outpacing the growth of male owners by more than three times.”
Despite this progress, women still represent just one-third of small business owners in Australia.
This International Women’s Day, we’re skipping the purple-frosted cupcakes and spotlighting beauty products from Australian female-led brands that are redefining their industries — and the statistics. Check out our top picks below.
1- AIRYDAY – FRANCES VAN DER VELDEN
Airyday is a skincare-sunscreen brand known for its luxurious SPF products, blending potent ingredients like niacinamide and hyaluronic acid with effortless daily wear.
Praised for its lightweight, non-greasy formulas and silky textures, Airyday turns sun protection into an indulgent part of your skincare routine.
Founder Frances Van Der Velden was inspired to create the brand after an unexpected skin cancer diagnosis. Dissatisfied with the thick, greasy feel and signature scent of traditional sunscreens, she set out to develop a product she’d actually look forward to using every day.
BEST AIRYDAY PRODUCTS
Frances now creates and distributes a wide variety of Dreamscreen sunscreens, such as Golden Glow, Pearl Glow, Clear as Day, Mineral Mousse, Pretty in Zinc, Fragrance Free, and Bronze Glow — each featuring SPF50+ protection with distinct finishes, textures, and fragrances.
The brand also offers an LED light therapy mask and an array of skincare products.”
2- GO-TO SKINCARE – ZOE FOSTER-BLAKE
Tired of the skincare industry’s complexity and intimidation, former Cosmopolitan and Harper’s Bazaar beauty editor Zoë Foster Blake founded Go-To Skincare.
Her mission? To craft simple, effective, and trustworthy products that nurture even the most sensitive skin, keeping it happy and healthy.
With playful branding and fuss-free formulas, Go-To has become a staple for Australians seeking reliable skincare for all skin types. The products feature natural ingredients like bakuchiol (a plant-based retinol alternative) and hyaluronic acid (a deeply hydrating compound naturally present in connective tissues).
BEST GO-TO SKINCARE PRODUCTS
“Beloved, no-fuss favorites include Face Hero, Very Luxe Face Cream, Much Plumper Skin Serum, and Very Useful Daily Moisturiser.”
3- MCO BEAUTY – SHELLEY SULLIVAN
You might recognize MCo Beauty from the aisles of your local Woolworths.
Founded in 2016 by Shelley Sullivan, this Australian brand quickly made a name for itself by delivering high-quality, vegan, and cruelty-free beauty products at affordable prices.
BEST MCO BEAUTY PRODUCTS
“MCo Beauty offers a variety of beauty must-haves, spanning makeup, skincare, and fragrance. Standout products include the XtendLash Mascara, Peptide Lip Treatment, and Flawless Glow Luminous Skin Filter.”
4- NAKED SUNDAYS – SAMANTHA BRETT
Founded by former television journalist Samantha Brett, Naked Sundays was born from her need for a sunscreen that worked effortlessly under makeup during long hours in the sun.
Today, the brand is on a mission to transform daily SPF habits with products that blend perfectly into any beauty routine.
BEST NAKED SUNDAYS PRODUCTS
“Top-selling favorites include the SPF50+ Hydrating Glow Mist and the SPF50+ Collagen Glow Mineral Perfecting Priming Lotion.”
5- KORA ORGANICS – MIRANDA KERR
Founded by Australian supermodel Miranda Kerr in 2009, KORA Organics creates certified organic skincare that’s both luxurious and accessible.
The brand focuses on clean, vegan, and non-toxic formulations designed for powerful results.
What began as a small family venture on Sydney’s northern beaches has blossomed into an internationally acclaimed, award-winning brand.
BEST KORA ORGANICS PRODUCTS
“Fan-favorite products from KORA Organics include the Noni Face Glow, Noni Glow Sleep Mask, Milky Mushroom Gentle Cleansing Oil, and the beloved Noni Glow Body Oil — widely praised as a top-tier body oil.”
6- O COSMEDICS
Right after finishing high school, Maria found her passion for beauty therapy.
Since then, she’s launched three skincare brands, including her first creation, O COSMEDICS — a cosmedical skincare line that blends cosmetic science with potent, medical-grade actives to address a range of skin concerns.
BEST O COSMEDICS PRODUCTS
Top-selling favorites include the Firming and Lifting Neck Serum, Immortal Cream, and the award-winning O-Biome Hydrating & Setting Spray (named Prevention’s Best of Beauty 2022).
7- THE BEAUTY CHEF – CARLA OATES
Carla Oates founded The Beauty Chef, an Australian brand that revolutionized the ‘inner beauty’ movement by highlighting the link between gut health and glowing skin.
Her journey was shaped by childhood struggles with eczema and allergies, sparking her curiosity about the impact of nutrition on overall wellness.
After working as a fashion stylist and beauty writer, Carla grew increasingly concerned about the synthetic ingredients found in many skincare products, inspiring her to create a more holistic approach to beauty.
BEST THE BEAUTY CHEF PRODUCTS
The Beauty Chef’s hero product, GLOW Inner Beauty Essential, is a nutrient-rich powder crafted to support gut health and enhance skin radiance as part of your daily skincare ritual.
Other fan-favorite offerings include Plumpers, Gut Primer, and Deep Marine Collagen.
8- LANO (LANOLIPS) – KIRSTEN CARRIOL
Lano is an Australian skincare brand celebrated for its premium lanolin-based products, delivering natural hydration and skin repair.
Founded by Kirsten Carriol, the brand was inspired by her childhood memories on her grandparents’ sheep farm in South Australia.
Lanolips focuses on simplicity, crafting products with ethically sourced, medical-grade lanolin from Australian sheep farmers — all free from synthetic additives.
BEST LANO PRODUCTS
Lano features a range of skincare essentials, including the 101 Ointment Multipurpose Superbalm, Lano Face Base Day Cream, and Lano Intense Hand Cream.
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