Solbari, one of Australia’s leading UPF50+ apparel and accessories brand, recently held an exclusive virtual roundtable to raise awareness about the vital role of UPF50+ clothing in preventing skin cancer. Solbari’s name is derived from combining “Solar” (Sol) and “Barrier” (Bari), reflecting its mission to provide a protective barrier against the sun. The event brought together an impressive panel of sun safety advocates, dermatologists, and Solbari’s founder to discuss the importance of protective clothing and its impact on individuals’ confidence and ability to enjoy outdoor activities safely.
The roundtable featured:
- Deborah Knight, TV Host and Sun Safety Advocate
- Johanna Young, Founder and CEO of Solbari
- Dr Ryan De Cruz and Dr Michelle Rodrigues, leading dermatologists
Johanna, who founded Solbari in 2014, shared her deeply personal inspiration behind starting the brand. Her husband’s alarming skin cancer risk prompted her to develop a solution that prioritised lightweight, breathable, and stylish sun-protective clothing.
“I was horrified when I learned that skin cancer had become normalised in Australia,” said Johanna. “Our mission is to reduce the incidence of skin cancer through innovative UPF50+ clothing, ensuring everyone can enjoy the outdoors safely. Every product is rigorously tested to meet the highest standards of sun protection, blending comfort, functionality, and style.”
Johanna revealed that standard fabrics offer minimal sun protection, with a regular cotton T-shirt providing only a UPF of 5 — equivalent to SPF 5 sunscreen. In contrast, Solbari’s products provide UPF50+ protection, blocking 98% of harmful UV rays.
Dr Rodrigues and Dr De Cruz highlighted the critical role of sun protection in combating Australia’s high skin cancer rates. They emphasised that wearing UPF50+ clothing should be an essential part of sun safety routines, complementing sunscreen and shade.
Deborah, a passionate advocate for sun safety, lauded Solbari’s efforts: “This brand is changing lives by making sun protection easy and accessible. It’s inspiring to see such innovation coming from Australia.”
Solbari has grown exponentially since its humble beginnings in Johanna’s Melbourne apartment. The brand now serves over 500,000 customers in 160 countries, with the United States as its largest market. Impressively, a Solbari product is sold every 60 seconds.
“At Solbari, we’re proud to be an Australian brand blending world-class sun protection with comfort and style,” said Johanna. “Our dream is to create a world free from skin cancer. It’s ambitious, but we’re committed to making it happen.”
Johanna shared a heartwarming update: her husband, who was predicted to develop skin cancer within a decade, remains cancer-free thanks to his consistent use of Solbari products.
As the brand continues to grow, its mission remains steadfast: to empower individuals worldwide to live confidently and safely under the sun.
For more information about Solbari and its products, visit solbari.com.
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