On the 29th May 2025. The Ordinary will launch UV Filters SPF 45 Serum —a serum-textured sunscreen offering broad-spectrum SPF 45 protection against sun damage and premature skin aging caused by sun exposure.
The Ordinary has formulated an SPF product in the past — the Mineral UV Filters SPF 30 with Antioxidants. But after receiving consumer feedback regarding the mineral formula’s thick texture and white cast, the brand discontinued its SPF and went back to the lab to formulate a sun protestant that its consumers will not only need but want to use daily.
Introducing — finally — The Ordinary’s UV Filters SPF 45 Serum, a brand new formulation providing broad-spectrum SPF protection against sun damage and premature skin aging.
Break the Chemical Bias.
A common question amongst consumers is the difference between mineral and chemical suncare.
Essentially, both types of sunscreen formulations contain chemicals because everything is chemicals. While both chemical and mineral filters can be used in a formulation to provide great UV protection, it is harder to formulate a truly transparent, lightweight, and accessibly priced sunscreen with mineral filters alone — especially when looking to achieve a high SPF product.
This time, The Ordinary has stepped away from Mineral Filters and instead. worked with a blend of FDA-approved chemical filters to formulate an affordable, lightweight. high-SPF sunscreen that feels comfortable on the skin and does not leave a white cast — one that is suitable for daily use, and that you will truly want to wear every day.
Despite the usage of SPF becoming more prominent over the last decade, a study in the USA reported that among those who wear sunscreen, 18% wear it daily, 17% wear it weekly — yet the majority note that they rarely wear it (45%).
So, this is where The Ordinary’s UV Filters SPF 45 Serum comes in. It is suitable for all skin types. including sensitive skin — an important factor in SPF purchasing behaviour as shown by the 28% of UK consumers concerned about skin sensitivity when it comes to sunscreen products.
Why SPF 45?
Contrary to popular belief, the UV filter number is not decided by the brand that formulates the sun-protestant but rather by the formula itself.
SPF is a value that is calculated by considering the time it takes for skin to turn red when exposed to UV light — with sunscreen, versus without sunscreen. When The Ordinary’s product underwent testing, the SPF value that it achieved was SPF 45 — which
is estimated to absorb only 0.2% less UVB radiation than SPF 50. It was also found to achieve broad spectrum protection —a level of defense across both UVA and UVB rays,
Although both UVA and UVB rays affect aging and can cause burning, they hold different weights and roles when it comes to UV exposure.
UVA constitutes over 90% of UV radiation and causes primarily indirect damage to the skin. UVA rays are more likely to cause oxidative stress which can damage skin structures and have longer-term impacts on signs of skin aging.
You can easily remember this by letting the A in UVA stand for aging.
The Ordinary
UV Filters SPF 45 Serum
UVB on the other hand, accounts for only 5% of UV radiation but is 1000x more harmful than UVA. UVB exposure is mostly responsible for the skin’s inflammation (burning) & pigmentation (tanning)
— which is more likely to cause damage to DNA.
You can easily remember this by letting the B in UVB stand for burning.
These DNA alterations, if not properly repaired. can lead to mutations and increase the risk of skin cancer.
By providing both UVA and UVB coverage, The Ordinary’s UV Filters SPF 45 Serum ultimately protects against sun damage, decreasing the risk of early skin aging caused by the sun when used as directed with other sun protection measures.
SPF — a Want as Well as a Need.
Not only does SPF 45 offer broad spectrum protection and decrease the risk of skin damage if used as directed with other sun protection measures — UV Filters SPF 45 Serum also offers instant and all-day hydration support, is non- comedogenic (does not clog pores), and provides a natural-looking glow — both on its own and underneath make-up — due to it supporting the skin’s natural moisture barrier.
Leading with transparency and ownership over its long-awaited formulation, The Ordinary’s latest launch, at last, meets consumers’ SPF needs with a suncare formulation that not only offers UV protection, but a seamless addition to already established daily skincare regimens.
The launch of UV Filters SPF 45 Serum aims to give consumers of all skin types a sun protestant that they can wear alongside their other skincare.
Additional information about The Ordinary may be found at:
Website: THEORDINARY.com
Instagram: THEORDINARY
Facebook: THEORDINARY
TikTok: THEORDINARY
- Civic Science 2024: Sunscreen Trends: SPF Usage Is Up From a Decade Ago. Yet Safety Concerns Grow.
- YouGov 2023: Great Britain: Insights into sunscreen purchasing habits.
