Podcast Summary: Skin Anarchy

Episode: Fashion Forward Sun Protection Ft. WATSKIN
Host: Dr. Ekta
Guest: Lois Robbins, Founder of Wattskin
Date: October 3, 2025

Episode Overview

In this episode, Dr. Ekta hosts Lois Robbins, founder of sun-protective fashion brand Wattskin, for a “Fashion Friday” special. The conversation explores how Lois’s personal health journey inspired the creation of Wattskin, the brand’s commitment to merging style with sun protection, the challenges of carving out a new fashion category, and advice for aspiring entrepreneurs. Listeners will hear candid stories, practical insights, and a celebration of innovation in the world of skin health and fashion.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Lois Robbins’ Journey—from Necessity to Innovation

• Personal Diagnosis Inspired Creation:
  • Lois was diagnosed with a squamous cell carcinoma and learned she was predisposed to melanoma. This led her to seek out attractive sun-protective clothing, but found none that were stylish or flattering.
  • Instead of accepting her options, Lois created her own catsuits and matching skirts with UPF fabric, which garnered attention wherever she went.
  • “It was really a situation of necessity as the mother of invention.” (Lois, 00:55)
• Brand Genesis:
  • After two years of wearing her self-made pieces and repeated compliments and inquiries, a chance encounter in St. Barts with a swimwear industry professional propelled her towards launching Wattskin.
  • “Within six months, we launched, and this Labor Day will be our three year anniversary.” (Lois, 02:42)

2. Rethinking Sun Protection & Fashion

• Beyond Sunscreen—A Fashion Angle:
  • The prevailing narrative in sun protection focuses almost exclusively on sunscreen, overlooking the significant potential of thoughtful clothing design.
  • “We never really talk about the fashion side and how much that plays a role…” (Ekta, 03:20)
• Wattskin’s USP:
  • Lois points out most sun-protective wear is “not very fashionable, sophisticated, stylish, sexy, you name it, it’s not.” (Lois, 04:30)
  • She positions Wattskin as a “lifestyle brand… meant to be worn in and out of the water… take you to pretty much every eventuality you can think of.” (Lois, 05:04)
  • Pieces are designed to be versatile—worn for swimming, athletics, travel, or even evening wear, with flattering cuts for diverse body types.
  • “People will say, ‘Oh well, you need your body to wear it.’ I say, no, you do not… It’s so flattering on everyone.” (Lois, 05:43)

3. Fabric Innovation & Fit

• The UPF 50+ Fabric Story:
  • The search for the “perfect” fabric was a learning curve.
  • Wattskin now uses three different fabrics—flat, ribbed, and piqué—all with luxurious feel and high-quality sun protection.
  • “It really does…feel like a second skin. It’s just this very soft, luscious fabric that, you know, protects you but feels great.” (Lois, 07:57)
• Lined & Unlined Options:
  • Initial suits were lined with mesh for a snug feel but some customers found it heavy; new, unlined options still provide structure and comfort.
  • “It just feels like you’re wearing something but you’re kind of naked and comfortable.” (Lois, 09:18)

4. Category Challenges—Educating the Market

• Creating a New Fashion Segment:
  • Wattskin was met with confusion: “Are you a bathing suit? Are you exercise clothes? Who are you and where do you fit in our store?” (Lois, 12:08)
  • Their response: ongoing consumer and retailer education, explaining the brand’s versatility and lifestyle value.
  • “We are a new category. This is a lifestyle brand that really can fit into so many different areas.” (Lois, 12:32)
  • For consumers, the cost is justified by multifunctionality: swim, sports, dinner, travel—one garment fits all.

5. Cultural Shifts in Sun Protection Attitudes

• From Tanning Beds to Sun Safety:
  • Ekta reflects on tanning culture’s evolution, and Lois notes that younger generations are much more sun-care aware.
  • “My kids wear [Wattskin] now too and they’re very aware of the importance of sun protection.” (Lois, 16:37)
  • Instead of defaulting to bikinis, Wattskin offers fashionable, comfortable, and protective alternatives, allowing for self-expression without compromise.

6. Entrepreneurship & Advice for Founders

• Building with Collaboration:
  • Lois drew from her acting background and family business exposure. She credits much of her success to gathering collaborators who know what she doesn’t, and being open to new ideas.
  • “Surround yourself with people who know what you don’t know… One of my great strengths is that I’m very open to hearing other people’s opinions and thoughts, and I’m a very good collaborator.” (Lois, 19:22)
• Continuous Learning:
  • Lois admits to initially struggling with fashion industry jargon and encourages founders not to hesitate to ask questions, research, and embrace learning curves.
  • “You need to not be shy to ask… just do your homework. Read, investigate, learn what you don’t know.” (Lois, 20:37)
• Transforming Limitations into Empowerment:
  • The Grand Canyon anecdote, where Lois’s diagnosis almost excluded her from a family trip, highlights how personal challenges can fuel impactful innovation.
  • “That initial bomb that dropped was not wonderful, but something great came out of it. So I guess that’s the good news.” (Lois, 22:50)
• Ekta’s Entrepreneurship Mantra:
  • “Whenever you’re trying to create something, you have to ask yourself, what do you wish existed in this world? And that’s like the first question you should ask yourself about entrepreneurship.” (Ekta, 22:56)
  • Lois: “I don’t take no for an answer.” (Lois, 23:18)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

Lois Robbins

• “I was searching on the Internet to find something beautiful to wear to protect my skin and allow me to be safely and feel good at the same time. I could not find anything.” (01:20)
• “You do not need to be a thin person. It’s so flattering on everyone… it kind of sucks you in and makes you feel great.” (05:43)
• “I feel like what we’re doing is a niche no one else in this space has done. And honestly, I do feel like we're doing it the best.” (10:24)
• “What I try and explain to [customers] is, look, you’re not buying a bathing suit. You’re buying a garment you can wear for so many different things.” (14:13)
• “Surround yourself with people who know what you don’t know.” (19:22)
• “That initial bomb that dropped was not wonderful, but something great came out of it.” (22:50)

Dr. Ekta

• “We never really talk about the fashion side and how much that plays a role… I think it’s important, especially in the skin health space.” (03:20)
• “Whenever you’re trying to create something, you have to ask yourself, what do you wish existed in this world?” (22:56)
• “You have to at some point put your foot down.” (23:22)

Timestamps for Major Segments

• 00:55: Lois recounts how her diagnosis led to creating Wattskin pieces
• 02:42: Brand officially launches—turning personal need into company
• 04:30: Discussion on breaking the stereotype of unfashionable sun-protective clothing
• 07:35: Finding and perfecting the UPF 50+ fabric
• 09:58: Navigating fashion-industry hurdles and not seeing competitors as threats
• 12:02: Educating customers and retailers about a new fashion category
• 14:21: Multifunctionality—how Wattskin suits can be styled for many occasions
• 15:49: Noticing cultural shifts away from tanning, greater sun safety awareness
• 19:07: Lois’s entrepreneurship advice: assemble people who know what you don’t
• 21:38: Story of missing the Grand Canyon family trip and its motivational impact
• 22:56: Ekta’s reflection on identifying white spaces in entrepreneurship

Tone & Style

This episode is candid, collaborative, and empowering. Both Dr. Ekta and Lois blend personal storytelling with practical business wisdom, keeping the tone supportive, honest, and warmly motivational. The admiration and enthusiasm for innovation—inskin health, fashion, and entrepreneurship—resonates throughout.

Key Takeaways

• Wattskin exemplifies innovation driven by necessity, merging fashion and function in skin protection.
• The brand’s journey illustrates the importance of education, adaptability, and collaboration.
• Aspiring entrepreneurs should focus on solving their own needs, be unafraid to ask questions, and build teams with complementary strengths.
• Sun-protective clothing can—and should—be stylish, inclusive, and versatile.