Founder Q&A: Why We Reimagined Time Traveler
Founder Q&A: Why We Reimagined Time Traveler
At Solara Suncare, we’ve always believed sun protection should evolve alongside both skincare and science. That philosophy is what led us back to Time Traveler, one of our best-selling formulas, nearly a decade after its original creation (it took us two years before the brand launched to create this formula from scratch!). Rather than simply updating it, we chose to reimagine it entirely, refining the texture, elevating the ingredients, and intentionally formulating it to remain completely silicone-free, yet blend in as a sporty 100% mineral sunscreen. The result is a next generation mineral sport SPF designed to function as a skincare-first treatment while performing through movement. We sat down with our Founder and CEO, Stephanie DiPisa, to talk about the evolution of Time Traveler and the thinking behind this new chapter.
For us, innovation has never been about chasing trends. It’s about innovating or evolving with intention and only when our customer feedback has been taken into account.
Q: Time Traveler has been part of Solara for years. Why bring it back now?
Time Traveler was actually developed nearly nine years ago from scratch, long before clean sunscreen was even a “thing.” From the beginning, it was never meant to be a typical sport sunscreen.
Even then, almost a decade ago in the lab, years before we actually ever launched the brand, we were thinking about treatment-level SPF. We were using ingredients like peptides well before they were really part of the conversation or became a social media trend. Our approach was always to protect AND support the skin in a deeper way given the primary purpose was to combat outside elements that damage and prematurely age the skin.
Over the last two years, we started to see (finally) real innovation happening in material science, especially with zinc oxide, preservative systems and emulsification. And we combined that with listening closely to our community and just knew we could improve on those early formulas. Much like Apple does with the iPhone!
So, over the past 18 months, we went back to the lab and reimagined the experience. This is still Time Traveler at its core but evolved to meet where active skin needs and mineral science are today.
Q: What makes this new formula different from the original?
This version truly reflects where we are now, both as a brand and as an industry. We made a very intentional decision to keep it completely silicone-free.
We are inspired by European treatment cremes, so the formula is built with ingredients like copper peptides, ceramides, and our signature adaptogens like ashwagandha. It’s designed to function as barrier supportive skincare first, while still delivering high-performance mineral protection that can stand up to swimming and sweating.
Many sport SPFs rely on silicones to create that smooth, long-wear feel, but they can sit heavily on the skin, especially when you’re sweating. So, we chose not to use them for this sporty formula, which makes it harder to formulate the melt down. I’m proud of what our team was able to achieve without dimethicone or siloxanes.
Time Traveler performs through movement and the harsher elements (think chlorinated pools and salty sea water), but still feels breathable, nourishing, and comfortable on the skin.
Q: You’ve described this as “treatment-level SPF.” What does that mean?
It means your SPF is doing more than protecting you at the surface level, in the moment.
Copper peptides are clinically shown to help visibly support repair from past damage. Ceramides work to help strengthen and restore the skin barrier, especially when it’s under stress. Ashwagandha is an anti-inflammatory botanical that is also shown to help defend against environmental stressors and Kakadu Plum is a powerful antioxidant to help fight free radicals and pollutants.
So, while you’re wearing Time Traveler, your skin is actively being supported not just from the UVA/UVB of the sun, but other environmental stressors and past damage. It’s not just about preventing damage; it’s about supporting healthier skin function over time.
Q: Sport SPF often comes with trade-offs. How did you approach that?
That’s exactly what we wanted to challenge. Traditionally, sport sunscreen is built around one idea: staying on the skin no matter what. Sweat-proof, water-resistant, and that’s where the conversation ends.
But, that usually comes at a cost. Heavier textures, clogged pores, formulas that don’t feel great to wear daily…. or frankly smell like a fruit cocktail (and fragrance can irritate sensitive skin, like many of yours).
So, we asked a different question. What if your sport SPF worked like a treatment + skincare in one? A mineral sport SPF that thinks it’s a serum.
That shift changed everything. Instead of something you tolerate for protection, it becomes something your skin actually benefits from, even in motion, completing your skincare routine with the same high-powered actives you are using in the AM and at night.
Q: Why was it important for this formula to be silicone-free?
When you’re sweating, experts share that silicones can be occlusive (pore-clogging). So given how and when Time Traveler is used, we listened to that and chose intentionally not to use them in this formula.
Silicones can be lovely – they help create that immediate smooth application – but for us, it was important that this formula supports the skin without suffocating it.
A treatment-level product should be conscious of your skin in every state, not just when it’s at rest.
Meet the next generation of Time Traveler - shop the reimagined formula and let me know what you think!
