FAQ

Product Use

Does my Solmate come with sunscreen?

Your Solmate will be empty when you receive it - just fill and refill with your favourite sunscreen.

How should my Solmate be used?

Solmates applicators  are designed to transport and apply a small amount of sunscreen that you decant from a larger bulk sunscreen bottle, so you can conveniently carry the sunscreen on your sunny adventures.  

Solmates are NOT designed for the long term storage of  sunscreen.  Removing any sunscreen from its original packaging may affect its efficacy over a given period, so please ensure you regularly empty your Solmate and thoroughly clean the applicator.  See cleaning and care instructions below and refer to our full Terms and Conditions before use. 

How do I use my Solmate?

Unscrew the base of the applicator, fill with your choice of sunscreen, replace the base of the applicator and you are ready to go! 

How much sunscreen does a Solmate hold?

Your Solmate can hold up to approx 50ml of sunscreen.  As Solmates are not designed for long-term storage of sunscreen, we recommend you only fill it with the amount you need to minimise any wastage (see Cleaning & Caring for your Solmate below for more details).

Can I mix and match the parts of my Solmate with another Solmate?

Absolutely! All Solmates are the same so if you buy more than one you can mix and match the parts to make your own personalised Solmate (think Sky Blue lid, Sunshine Yellow body & Desert Orange base)! 

Can I put any type of sunscreen in my Solmate?

Solmates work best with creams and lotion based sunscreens, however while we have tested the applicator functionality with many types of sunscreens, we haven’t tested all of them.  Solmates however do not function well with liquid based sunscreens, as the liquid may come out of the roller ball very quickly and cause leakage. 

Note:  With thick zinc based sunscreens, we suggest keeping the Solmate upside down (or turning upside down before usage) so that the sunscreen falls on the ball.

Sunscreen is not coming out of the applicator, what should I do?

If your Solmate has been standing upright for a while the sunscreen may settle in the bottom.  Turn the applicator upside down (so the roller ball is facing down),  give the applicator a good shake (think getting ketchup out of the bottle) and the sunscreen will move back to the roller ball end - ready to apply!

My roller bearing has stopped rolling, what should I do?

If the roller ball on your Solmate has stopped rolling, it's likely clogged with dried old sunscreen.  Make sure you discard any old sunscreen and give your Solmate a thorough wash (see cleaning and care instructions below). 

When and how should I clean my Solmate?

Your Solmate should be thoroughly cleaned on a regular basis.  Solmates are designed for the immediate transport and application of sunscreen within a short period of time, not for long-term storage of sunscreen. 

Removing any sunscreen from its original packaging may affect its efficacy over a given period, so please ensure you discard any old sunscreen regularly, then fully clean out all parts of your Solmate as follows:

• Remove the lid and base from the middle part of the applicator (please do not try to remove the roller ball)

• Using detergent and a brush or similar, thoroughly scrub and clean all parts of the applicator (including around the roller ball) to remove all residue

• Rinse off detergent  (repeat these steps until the applicator is thoroughly clean)

• Leave your Solmate to drain and fully dry before using it again 

Note:  Please don’t put your Solmate in the dishwasher - whilst the Solmate will survive a washing cycle we’ve found it doesn’t do a thorough cleaning job and sunscreen residue may be left.

How do I care for my Solmate?

• Make sure you discard any old sunscreen regularly.  Solmates are NOT designed for the long term storage of  sunscreen.  Removing any sunscreen from its original packaging may affect its efficacy over a given period, so please ensure you regularly empty the Solmate and discard any old sunscreen.

• You need to clean your Solmate regularly  (see instructions in the ‘When and how should I clean my Solmate’)

• Don’t leave your Solmate in direct sun for extended periods of time - this may cause the colour to fade and the plastic to become brittle. 

What are Solmates made from?

The body, base and lid is a combination of recycled ocean-bound plastic and mineral talc. The roller ball is teflon and the tether is silicone rubber. 

Where are Solmates made?

Solmates, Australia!