Our goal has always been to make Solmates adaptable to your lifestyle - whether you're applying sunscreen, skincare, or other personal care products. We hope this means, you can ditch single-use plastic and conveniently apply your favourite products with ease and no mess.

What Works Well in Solmates?

Solmates are designed to work best with cream and lotion-based products. This includes:

Sunscreen – Sunscreen application is the reason we designed the Solmate in the first place! Our applicators are ideal for most mineral (zinc-based) and chemical sunscreens. You can see a wide range of sunscreens we have already tested here. 

One of our favourites is WotNot Natural Sunscreen which include Solmates applicators in its range.

Moisturiser – Whether it’s for daily hydration or after-sun care, your favorite body or facial moisturiser can be applied effortlessly.

Specialist Creams – Eczema creams, barrier creams, and other therapeutic lotions work well in Solmates, making application convenient, easy and mess-free.

Insect Repellent – If your insect repellent has a cream or lotion base, it can be conveniently rolled on using a Solmates applicator—perfect for travel and outdoor adventures. We even have a partnership with Good Riddance whose insect repellent creams work really well in a Solmate!

Natural Deodorant – Some lotion-based deodorants can be used in your Solmates for an easy and even application.

What Doesn’t Work So Well?

While Solmates are highly versatile, there are some product types that may not be suitable:

Very Thin or Runny Liquids – Spray sunscreens, watery lotions, and thin serums may leak due to the design of our roller ball system.

Oil-Based Products – Pure oils or oil-heavy formulations may not distribute evenly and could seep through the applicator’s seals.

Thick Pastes or Balms – Products that are too thick (including some very thick natural sunscreens) may not spread smoothly and could clog the applicator.

Important Tips for Best Use

• Tips For Thicker Creams: We suggest keeping the Solmate upside down (or turning upside down before usage) so that the sunscreen falls on the ball. Also, keep the Solmate quite full so there is always sunscreen on the roller ball end. Some customers have given feedback that mixing a tiny amount of liquid coconut oil with their zinc sunscreens helps the sunscreen fall better on the roller ball - please take precautions however if you choose to alter the makeup of a sunscreen as it could affect the efficacy.
• Hot Temperatures Can Affect Formulas: If left in a hot car or for an extended period in direct sunlight, some products may temporarily thin out and cause minor leakage. Keep your Solmates stored in a cool / shady place when possible.
• Cleaning & Care: To maintain performance, clean your Solmates regularly, especially when switching between different products. See our cleaning tips in our FAQ. 

Tested Sunscreens

Whilst our Solmates work with most creams and lotions, we know sunscreens can be tricky because of their diverse range of consistencies. To make things easier for you, you can find a list of sunscreens we have already tested here. While this list is always growing, we prioritise testing products that are available in bulk and meet SPF 30+ standards for sunscreen.

Have a product you love and want to test in your Solmates? Let us know—we’d love to hear from you!