
The Ordinary revamps £15 SPF with lightweight serum with ‘zero white cast'
If you're looking for a great facial sunscreen at a reasonable price, you might want to check out this 'non-greasy' new SPF 45 formulation from high street favourites The Ordinary
Most beauty lovers should know that wearing SPF on your face every day is a must for protecting your skin against not only sun damage but also signs of premature ageing, but it can be tricky to find one that ticks all the boxes: offers a high level of protection, doesn't feel greasy, isn't visible on the skin, and isn't so expensive that you can't afford to use it every day. Luckily, we think we've found just the one.
Proving that beauty brands don't always get it right the first time, high street heroes The Ordinary scrapped its existing facial sunscreen following customer feedback about thick texture and white colour and went back to the drawing board – and this new product, UV Filters SPF 45 Serum, priced at £15.80 from The Ordinary's website and Boots, is the result. Gloriously fluid and quickly absorbed, it gives glow without any greasy sensation and doesn't clog pores, making it ideal for complexions that mean more towards combination or oily.
Despite only just hitting shelves, this SPF has already amassed dozens of five star reviews from people who has already tried, both those that were gifted it by The Ordinary in return for their honest review, and those who bought it themselves.
"I love this sunscreen!" one review reads. "It's not messy, it blends in so easily and effortlessly. It leaves the skin moisturised and not greasy. It went easily with my moisturiser so no pilling. It's truly that good!"
"I love The Ordinary products and this is sunscreen serum is lightweight, non-greasy and perfect under make-up!" another fan wrote. "Leaves my skin glowing while providing strong SPF 45 protection. A new must-have in my skincare routine!"
A third review reads: "This was my first time trying a serum-style sunscreen, and I was honestly surprised by how well it worked. The texture is super lightweight and easy to apply, and it didn't feel greasy at all. It absorbed quickly and sat well under make-up. On my tan skin, there was a very slight cast at first, but it mostly blended out after a few minutes. The scent is there, but not overpowering. Overall, a solid daily SPF that feels more like skincare than sunscreen."
Some, however, remarked how they wished The Ordinary had made a mineral sunscreen instead. Mineral formulas can be better for those with sensitive skin or easily irritated eyes, but can leave be thicker and more visible on the skin, especially on dark tones. If you're looking for a great recommendation for a mineral facial SPF, our head of shopping Zoe loves Lancaster Sun Beauty Sensitive Skin Mineral Face Cream SPF50, £27, Ultra Violette Future Fluid SPF 50+ Superlight Mineral Skinscreen, £38, and Kate Somerville HydraKate Illuminating SPF 50+ Drops, £39.
Our beauty editor Laura has also tried The Ordinary UV Filters SPF 45 Serum out, and says, "I've been really impressed by this new formula, especially given the price. It doesn't leave a white tinge on the skin at all, and makes skin feel soft and smooth but not greasy, and with a fairly matte yet healthy finish (it's probably not one for very oily skin though). This would be great as both a 'holiday' sun cream and an everyday one, whatever the weather."
And if you're looking for one of the best tinted SPFs, we've selected our tried-and-tested favourites here.
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NBC News
12 hours ago
- NBC News
Should you be wearing a UPF Sun hat? Here's why dermatologists say yes
People often underestimate the importance of a hat when spending time outdoors. Yes, hats do a great job of keeping sunlight out of your eyes and making it easier to see, but some of them can also help protect your skin, similar to sunscreen. This is why dermatologists recommend wearing clothing with Ultraviolet Protection Factor (UPF). 'Topical SPF is a great tool, but it also isn't perfect. Chemical sunscreens must be fully absorbed to work, about 30 minutes after application,' says board-certified dermatologist Dr. Dendy Engelman. 'For physical [mineral] sunscreen, if you do not have consistent application or an area rubs off, then you are not adequately protected.' UPF clothing, including hats, is the first line of defense against ultraviolet (UV) radiation, especially for those with sensitive skin. But what exactly is UPF? We consulted experts to understand how UPF works and used their guidance to compile the best UPF hats to shop for. What is the UPF rating? 'UPF stands for Ultraviolet Protection Factor. It shows how well a fabric protects you from UV rays,' according to Dr. Mohiba Tareen, a board-certified dermatologist at Tareen Dermatology. 'These are the rays that can cause skin aging (UVA) and burning (UVB). A UPF rating tells you how much UV radiation can get through the fabric.' As an example, if a hat has a UPF 50 rating, that means that 1/50th (2%) of UV rays pass through, so it blocks 98%.Here's a quick breakdown to determine how protective UPF ratings are: How we picked the best UPF hats When shopping for a UPF sun-protective hat, our experts stress the importance of keeping the following key factors in mind: UPF rating: Although the Skin Cancer Foundation allows a minimum of UPF 30, the most optimal level of protection is 50+, says Tareen. A UPF rating of 30 means the fabric allows 1/30th, or about 3%, of UV radiation to pass through. A garment rated UPF 50 permits only 1/50th, or about 2% of UV transmission. 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Coverage: The best sun-protective hats should have a minimum 3-inch brim around the circumference or a minimum 3-inch bill with a permanently attached drape to cover the neck and ears, according to the Skin Cancer Foundation. For baby and toddler hats, the foundation recommends a 2½-inch brim. The best UPF hats to shop in 2025 Below, we rounded up a list of the best UPF hats for men, women, kids and babies that meet the experts' criteria. All provide optimum coverage, have a UPF rating of 50 or more and have the Skin Cancer Foundation's Seal of Recommendation. Many of them also have at least a 4-star average rating from 500 reviews or more on Amazon or at least 100 reviews at a retailer. This unisex wide-brimmed safari hat has UPF 50+ protection to block out 98% of the sun's rays, according to the brand. It has breathable mesh to keep you sweat-free and also includes an adjustable chin strap to keep it in place during windy days. This option also has a 4.5-star average rating from 27,768 reviews on Amazon. This brimmed fishing hat is made from a fast-drying, textured nylon that keeps you cool by pulling moisture to the fabric's surface to keep sweat at bay, according to the brand. It has an adjustable chin strap and toggle for a secure fit during windy days on the water, along with vented sides for increased breathability. The hat is one size fits all, and comes in 32 different colors. Best UPF hat for women This stylish braided straw fedora has UPF 50+ protection, along with a removable drawstring and an adjustable built-in strap to ensure the right fit. Coolibar Etta Shapeable Sun Catcher Hat $49.50 $55.00 Amazon Now 10% off $55.00 Coolibar Coolibar boasts unanimous approval from our experts, and the brand is 'respected in gear quality and longevity, so it's a very safe purchase and one that should invoke confidence in the buyer,' says Minars. With UPF 50+ protection in a fabric that's both breathable as well as shapeable, this adjustable hat is a top pick. Tareen loves this high-end, stylish lightweight option that has the look of a fashionable straw hat without compromising the protection of UPF. Not only does this model come in seven different color options but it's also designed to guard skin from 95% of UVA and UVB rays, according to the brand. Best UPF hat with neck protection This protective sun hat from Sunday Afternoons, which has a 4.6-star average rating from 1,789 reviews at Amazon, has a brim made with foam to help maintain its shape and prevent it from flying away in the wind. The underside of the hat has a dark hue to help absorb reflective light and prevent glare, according to the brand. The inside also has a sweatband and the back of it is extra long to help protect your neck. Best baseball-style UPF hat If you prefer the look of a baseball cap but still want the protection of a UPF hat, this option, which has a 4.4-star average rating from 14,400 reviews on Amazon, is a good choice. It has an adjustable strap and absorbs water and sweat to maintain a cool temperature for up to 2 hours, according to the brand. It's made of a breathable material, ideal for athletic activity and is machine washable. Best fedora-style UPF hat Whether you're out golfing or spending time at the beach, this stylish UPF 50+ hat will help keep you protected from the sun. Recommended for when you want to travel light, according to the brand, the Coolibar Travel Fedora has an interior moisture-wicking sweatband and mesh grommets for increased airflow. It also has a 4.2-star average rating from 310 reviews at Coolibar. Another expert favorite, this UPF 50+ hat lets you stay protected during a day on the water. 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Daily Record
16 hours ago
- Daily Record
Medik8 unveils 'miracle' new serum that 'defends against premature ageing'
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We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. To leave our community click on the name at the top of your screen and choose 'exit group'. If you're curious, you can read our Privacy Notice. A five-star review read: "This was an absolute treat to use. Applied smoothly, visibly made my complexion look radiant and bright. In the morning I looked nice and fresh, smooth looking skin reduced the look of wrinkles. Another miracle in a bottle by Medik8." A second read: "I absolutely love this product, within a few days my skin looked so much brighter & smoother plus my wrinkles seemed to have reduced, in my experience it's not often you see a noticeable improvement so quickly with skincare products, even my husband said I look fresh faced!!! Beauty deal of the week It's almost Father's Day, and are you in need of some gift inspiration? 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