Valerie McMurray • United States of America

Valerie McMurray, a pioneer in the luxury sun care industry, established Soleil Toujours LLC in 2015, revolutionizing how we perceive and use sunscreen. With her brand, McMurray has elevated sunscreen to high fashion and high function, reminiscent of its heyday epitomized by brands like Bain de Soleil. She has seamlessly combined the utmost in safety and skincare technology with a solid commitment to environmental responsibility. Her mission extends beyond commerce; she aims to educate the public on the importance of using clean, reef-safe sunscreen throughout the year, making sun safety enjoyable and accessible.

"From the outset, the two tenets of the business have been to be good to our bodies and be good to our environment," Valerie emphasizes.

The concept for Soleil Toujours was conceived out of McMurray's personal need for safer skincare products. During her pregnancy with her third child, her alarm at the harmful chemicals listed in conventional sunscreens—such as parabens and oxybenzone—prompted her to investigate safer alternatives. This investigation revealed a significant lack of high-quality, natural sunscreen and moisturizer options, spurring her to create a solution.

Transitioning from MerSoleil, her former luxury resort-wear line, to founding Soleil Toujours was a natural progression for Valerie. Her extensive background in investment banking and financial services, spanning 18 years, provided her with a robust foundation for her entrepreneurial ventures in the skincare industry.

With a vision to redefine sun care, McMurray focused on developing mineral-based sunscreens that align with her green philosophy. After extensive development and collaboration with specialized labs and packaging designers, she created a mineral-based lotion that protects and nourishes the skin. The Soleil Toujours product line features innovative, non-toxic ingredients and is enriched with a proprietary EcoSun—a blend of vitamin C ester, vitamin D, red algae, and bisabolol. These components are known for their potent antioxidant and anti-aging properties.

Acknowledging scientific research that links sun exposure to approximately 80% of premature aging, Valerie Rodriguez McMurray advocates for proactive sun protection as the essential first step in maintaining youthful, vibrant skin. Soleil Toujours merges superior UV protection with the benefits of anti-aging skincare, offering a holistic approach to sun safety that protects and rejuvenates. Through her leadership, McMurray continues transforming the skincare industry, championing a blend of luxury, efficacy, and environmental stewardship.