Everyone who’s anyone in the beauty community has heard the breaking news; cult-favourite Canadian brand The Ordinary just shook up the skincare scene with the launch of their latest sun protection product, UV Filters SPF 45 Serum.

If you’re as obsessed with the ins and outs of beauty as we are, you’ve probably got a list of burning questions about this buzzy new product. We definitely did. Why SPF 45? Does it play well under makeup? And why bring sunscreen back now?

Luckily, we got the chance to sit down with Rita Silva, Senior Manager of Scientific Communications and Brand Engagement at DECIEM, to get all the juicy details. Here’s what she had to share.

Answering Your Burning Questions about The Ordinary UV Filters SPF 45 Serum

1. First of all, congratulations on the launch! What sparked the return to sun care, and why was now the right time to reintroduce SPF into The Ordinary’s lineup?

Thank you! It’s been a long time coming. The return to sun care is sparked by how everyone should use sun protection, but also because we received daily comments in almost every post across our social media channels requesting a new sunscreen from The Ordinary. It was an inevitable next step, and we’re thrilled to introduce it.

2. The Ordinary is known for keeping things science-forward yet accessible. How did that philosophy influence the development of this new SPF 45 Serum?

Our approach at The Ordinary will always remain rooted in our core commitment: to highlight and democratize active ingredients at effective concentrations, removing barriers to access quality skincare for everyone. While price point can be a barrier for many customers, when it comes to sun protection, there is the added barrier of regulations, as different countries will allow different UV filters.

When we started working on our UV Filters SPF 45 Serum, we wanted to create a product that would meet the unique regulatory requirements of the many markets where our products are available, and still deliver a stable and effective formulation with a pleasant texture and no white cast. For this reason, we used FDA-approved filters, which have a wider global reach with decades of proven efficacy and safety.

3. This product is described as both a serum and a sunscreen. What makes it a true hybrid, and how does that benefit everyday routines?

The Ordinary interview

The word “serum” is a marketing term, so it can have many meanings; at The Ordinary, we have always used it to mean a lightweight formulation. We hope that the word serum evokes the lightweight texture that we have worked to achieve with this formula!

4. Some longtime fans might remember the earlier Mineral UV Filters SPF 30. Can you talk about what feedback you received on that formula and how it helped shape this new release?

The development of our new UV Filters SPF 45 Serum was directly inspired by consumer feedback, which highlighted the challenges many faced with our previous mineral SPF. Customers loved the idea of sun protection from The Ordinary, but voiced concerns about the thick texture and white cast left by the mineral formula. This feedback was critical; it drove us back to the lab with a clear goal: to create an SPF product that people not only need but truly want to wear every single day.

5. SPF 45 is a very specific number. Can you explain how that was determined and how it compares with more common SPFs like 30 or 50?

The Ordinary interview

Fun fact: SPF values are not estimates decided by the brand; they are determined through third-party clinical testing that measures the dose of UVB radiation it takes for skin to redden with sunscreen, versus without. SPF values also do not correspond to a linear increase in protection, or to an exponential amount of time that you can spend in the sun; instead, they indicate how much UVB radiation is filtered by a specific formula.

For comparison, our formula tested at SPF 45, which blocks approximately 0.2% less UVB than an SPF 50 formula. Additionally, this product provides broad-spectrum protection, with a UVAPF rating of PA++++. 

6. A major gripe people often have with sunscreen is how it sits under makeup. Was compatibility with makeup a key factor in the formulation process?

Definitely! We wanted to achieve a lightweight yet hydrating formula for easy layering, even with makeup.

7. The serum is fragrance-free, hydrates the skin, and promises a white, cast-free finish. Which skin concerns or types were at the forefront during product development?

We wanted to formulate a sunscreen that would be suitable for all skin types, including sensitive skin. While our product doesn’t provide additional benefits beyond sun protection and hydration, or target specific skin concerns, it was formulated to layer perfectly with all The Ordinary products, for a well-rounded skincare regimen.

8. The product uses a blend of FDA-approved chemical filters instead of mineral ones. What were some of the biggest challenges in achieving such a lightweight, high-SPF formulation that’s also affordable?

The Ordinary interview

SPF formulas are some of the most difficult products to formulate within the industry due to a wide number of variables. Different SPF filters protect against different parts of the UV spectrum and must be combined in varying concentrations to provide a broad-spectrum SPF. The concentration, but also the formula and ingredients themselves, can impact the SPF levels, and therefore, it requires a rigorous process of finding the optimal combination to achieve the desired SPF.

Additionally, in order to place an SPF on the market, it must undergo testing on a panel of humans subjected to UV radiation with and without the formula. If the formula does not achieve the desired SPF rating, the formula must be adjusted and tweaked until confidence in retesting the formula is reached. This means SPFs can sometimes take years to formulate.

9. With this new launch, should fans expect more sun care or hybrid products from The Ordinary moving forward?

Our lab is always very secretive about our future projects, so we always recommend our community to keep their eyes peeled for clues across all our social media platforms. You never know what hints you’ll get on a random Tuesday!

10. Lastly, what do you hope users feel the moment they try this SPF 45 Serum for the first time?

Above everything, we hope users feel like applying the product the next day, and every day after that. Sun protection is one of the most important steps in any skincare routine, and the only one that can offer effective protection against skin cancer when used alongside other protective measures, so it should never be skipped!

Get your hands on The Ordinary UV Filters SPF 45 Serum here.

What do you think of our interview with The Ordinary? Let us know and make sure to follow Beauty Insider on Instagram and Facebook for the latest news updates.