Meet Amelia Slattery, the Dublin beauty entrepreneur working to educate and provide Ireland with the correct sun protection.
Non-melanoma skin cancer is the Ireland’s most frequently diagnosed cancer, with more than 11,000 new cases each year. The Irish Cancer Society notes that excessive exposure to ultraviolet (UV) light is the primary cause. Using SPF daily can cut your melanoma risk by roughly 50% and reduce squamous cell carcinoma risk by about 40%, according to the National Institutes of Health.
Determined to shift diagnosis statistics in Ireland, we spoke with Amelia Slattery, the founder of the newly Irish-made SPF line Solas.
Where did the idea for Solas come from?
My background lies in marketing and product development. During the COVID period I relocated to London to join Charlotte Tilbury’s marketing team. There I focused on the skincare division, taking a hands-on role in product development, formulation, and the intricacies of ingredients and packaging. I subsequently moved to Kylie Cosmetics, working with Kylie Skin, where I further absorbed insights into what consumers want from skincare. At the time I didn’t anticipate starting my own skincare line, until a holiday sparked the concept for an SPF brand. While I was away, applying makeup, I noticed my makeup bag featured roughly half Poco Beauty and half Sculpted By Aimee along with other brilliant Irish brands—and I thought, ‘the Irish women are thriving in the beauty scene.’ Yet when it came to SPF, none of the brands I used were Irish. I recognized a market gap I was eager to fill.
How long did it take to develop Solas?
Two and a half years. I have been dedicated to this project for that duration. From the spark of the idea to the present moment, it’s been quite a journey. The most time-consuming step, by far, was refining the formulas to ensure they met exact specifications, which took about a year due to my meticulous standards. Being an Irish-made brand, one major advantage was collaborating with an Irish manufacturer: I could hop in the car and be in Offaly within an hour for in-person sessions.
As for packaging, I personally handled much of it on Canva, with a designer’s assistance to perfect the final look. This entire brand is a heartfelt labour of love, much of it developed at my family home. Everyone featured in our campaign imagery is a friend or a family member, giving the brand genuine heart and meaning.
How do you want to change attitudes towards SPF in Ireland?
This remains a major motivator for us. Our aim is to make SPF usage effortless, suitable for real skin, typical weather, and everyday life. I leaned heavily on my boyfriend’s perspective while shaping our initial products because I believe women are generally more informed about proper sun protection than men. My partner has a small bald patch, and after golf he often ends up sunburned. He avoided applying cream SPF because it left his hands and clubs sticky, which inspired the idea of a spray. Now he uses it, and I ensured the packaging is unisex so he can carry it without feeling self-conscious in front of friends. Solas seeks to reshape the conversation and truly educate men on how to stay sun-safe.
Beyond that, Solas is designed for everyone, everywhere. It suits all skin types. It has undergone dermatological testing. It is non-comedogenic and should not clog pores or cause breakouts. With my mum having mature skin, me with sensitive skin, and my sister with acne-prone skin, I wanted to ensure it was broadly suitable. One bottle can be owned and used by all, ensuring everyone remains protected.
Take us through your three hero products
The trio of products we are unveiling — destined to become our flagship lineup as we grow — includes: ‘Solas Sun – SPF 50 and 30 Hydrating Face Cream’, ‘Solas Kiss, SPF 50 Hydrating Lip Balm’, and ‘Solas Spritz, SPF 30 Hydrating Face Mist’.
Amelia expands on the unique SPF face spritz:
I usually wear a full face of makeup. I apply SPF in the morning, but you’re meant to reapply every two hours. With makeup on, how do you do that? That’s why I created a spray that works over makeup. It acts like a setting spray with SPF, refreshing your makeup while keeping your skin hydrated and protected throughout the day. A single application provides about four hours of hydration.
What are your plans for the future of Solas?
Looking ahead, we will introduce additional flavors and shades for our lip balm. We also plan to expand into body care and develop SPFs with Zinc suitable for use on children. Another exciting project is the development of an SPF hand cream, which will be especially useful in salons during gel manicures.
