#MotherMuse | Tash Scutts

At Mother SPF, we’re all about natural formulations that actually work — which is why we were so excited to sit down with Tash Scutts, founder and CEO of Australian oral beauty brand LOVEBYT. Like us, Tash is passionate about clean, effective ingredients that are better for our bodies and our planet.

After discovering the chemical load in conventional toothpaste, Tash set out to create an oral care line powered by premium botanicals — think clove, peppermint, and charcoal — packaged beautifully enough to live on your bathroom shelf. And her latest launch? A natural toothpaste formulated with hydroxyapatite — a remineralising ingredient that not only helps strengthen enamel, but is also used in our own Mother SPF formulas. Like zinc oxide, hydroxyapatite reflects UV rays, making it a functional, skin-safe multitasker that we love.

What inspired you to challenge the traditional oral care industry and start LOVEBYT?

In 2018 when I started LOVEBYT - the oral care market was dominated by monopoly companies serving products that included an expansive list of toxic chemicals and ingredients, yet, advertised to be positive to one’s health. I was driven to develop a fresh, transformative perspective on the accustomed outlook and approach towards oral care. LOVEBYT was formed to redefine traditional standards via efficacy and consciousness. I believe that when you start a business you must look at a product that you believe you can improve or make better than it has been made. I believed that toothpaste and mouthwash were crying out to improve in a way that was still effective , healthier and made with better quality and less toxic chemicals. 

How do you strike the balance between clinical results and natural, botanical formulations for LOVEBYT?

At LOVEBYT, we blend the power of nature with proven science to create effective, plant-based oral care. Our formulations strike the perfect balance between clinical results and botanical integrity by prioritising efficacy without compromising on natural ingredients. Each botanical is carefully selected for its therapeutic properties—like plaque reduction and gum support—and combined using scientifically validated methods to deliver real oral health benefits.

Developed in collaboration with a cosmetic chemist with over 50 years of experience in dental formulations, our toothpaste includes time-honoured botanicals such as cinnamon, clove, calendula, chamomile, tea tree, eucalyptus, and peppermint. These ingredients have been used for centuries to cleanse, soothe, and heal. We’ve removed harsh, unnecessary additives and replaced them with ingredients that actively support a healthy oral microbiome.

You’ve spoken about the toxic load in conventional oral care. What are the ingredients you absolutely avoid, and why?

At LOVEBYT, we’re deeply committed to reducing the toxic load commonly found in conventional oral care products. There are several ingredients we deliberately avoid due to their potential health and environmental impacts:

1. Sodium Lauryl Sulphate (SLS): A common foaming agent that can irritate the gums, strip away beneficial oral bacteria, and contribute to mouth ulcers.
2. Triclosan: An antibacterial agent banned in several countries due to links to hormone disruption and antibiotic resistance.
3. Artificial Sweeteners (like Saccharin or Aspartame): These are often added for taste but come with potential neurological and metabolic concerns. We opt for natural alternatives like stevia or xylitol.
4. Fluoride (in certain forms): While fluoride can help prevent cavities, excessive exposure—especially in children—may lead to dental fluorosis or toxicity. We provide fluoride-free options to give consumers a safer, natural alternative.
5. Parabens: Used as preservatives but known to disrupt hormone function and potentially contribute to long-term health concerns.
6. Synthetic Colours & Flavours: Often derived from petroleum and unnecessary for oral care; we stick with natural flavouring from plant oils and botanical extracts.
7. PEGs and Propylene Glycol: Used to create a smooth texture but can be contaminated with harmful byproducts like 1,4-dioxane, a potential carcinogen.

Instead, we focus on ingredients that actively support oral and systemic health—like plant oils and botanicals that cleanse, soothe, and nurture the oral microbiome. It’s all about keeping your mouth clean, naturally, without compromise.

What does your personal skincare and oral care ritual look like, from the moment you wake up to when you wind down at night?

My personal skincare ritual is pretty paired back for mornings and at night-time. I have a pretty busy schedule and like to start work as early as possible after I have finished up at the gym, so I tend to keep things very simple and uncomplicated. 

In the mornings, I start off with La Roche Posay’s Hyalu b5 Serum on a damp face, followed by their Vitamin C 12 Brightening Serum. I then like to go in with Avène’s Cicalfate, which does wonders for dry skin in the winter. As the final and most important step, I apply MOTHER’s Universal Face 50 SPF to protect me from the sun (which I am lucky to get all day in the office). For my oral care ritual, I ensure to floss first, followed by our Botanical Toothpaste in Cinnamon & Clove or Peppermint for its intense minty flavour, and then of course finish up with our Peppermint Botanical Mouthwash. 

I always like to keep our Travel Botanical Mouthwash, and an extra tube of SPF in the car. If I find myself ducking out for meetings, visiting manufacturers, running errands, or having a quick lunch with a friend, I like to use both products to top-up my sun protection and refresh my mouth upon arrival. 

In the evening for my oral care ritual, I repeat the same steps as the morning, but with our Charcoal & Mint Botanical Toothpaste. This flavour is great for absorbing odours and killing harmful bacteria in the mouth whilst sleeping. I always like to brush my teeth before applying any skin care products. My night time skincare ritual consists of a double cleanse, followed by a K-beauty eye cream gifted by my daughter. I will then alternate between applying either a face mask or Tretinoin, and a rich moisturising cream - depending on how my skin is feeling after the day.

How has your perspective on health and wellness evolved since becoming a founder?

Since becoming a founder of a natural toothpaste brand, my perspective on health and wellness has deepened significantly. I’ve become far more conscious of what I put in and, on my body, — not just in oral care, but across every aspect of my lifestyle. From choosing a mostly vegetarian diet to being selective about the sunscreen I use daily, the hair care I trust, and the deodorant I wear, it’s all part of a broader commitment to living proactively.

I've realised that it’s far easier—and more empowering—to make informed, preventative choices now than to deal with the consequences later, whether it's gum disease or something more serious like skin cancer. Wellness isn’t about perfection, but about being intentional. It’s about choosing products and habits that support long-term health, rather than reacting once damage is done.

What legacy do you hope LOVEBYT will leave, not just as a product, but as a movement?

I hope LOVEBYT leaves a legacy that goes far beyond toothpaste. As a brand and a movement, our mission is to inspire a shift in how people view everyday health choices—proving that natural, effective alternatives don’t require compromise. We want to challenge the norm in personal care by showing that clean, botanical ingredients can deliver real results, while also respecting our bodies and the planet.

Ultimately, I hope LOVEBYT empowers people to take ownership of their wellness in a more conscious, preventative way. If we can help individuals rethink what they put in their mouths twice a day—and by extension, what they feed their bodies and minds—then we've created something meaningful.

Our legacy should be one of education, integrity, and impact: making natural care the new standard, and showing that small daily choices can lead to big, long-term health outcomes.