Here comes the sunscreens: The new guard of SPF
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A slew of sunscreen offerings has just entered the market, and they are tailored for different skin types and lifestyles.
PHOTO: THE ORDINARY
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SINGAPORE – As Singapore swelters through one of its hottest spells in recent memory, with daily maximum temperatures likely to hover around 34 deg C on most days, beauty insiders in the country are gearing up for the arrival of European skincare label Lancaster, known for its high-performance sunscreens.
The brand is set to bring its cult-favourite formulas to department store BHG Bugis and an exclusive pop-up in Hylam Street in July.
Globally, Lancaster’s suncare portfolio spans nearly 30 variations across four lines: the glow-enhancing Sun Beauty (its biggest range), the anti-ageing Sun Perfect, the ultra-gentle Sun Beauty Sensitive Skin range and the bronzing Infinite Bronze line, ranging from SPF30 to SPF50+. Details on pricing will be available later.
It remains to be seen which products will land on local shelves, but fans can expect Lancaster’s signature Full Light Technology, the brand’s patented filter system, in formats from tinted compacts to spritz-on mists to swipe-and-go sticks.
In the meantime, here are recent sunscreen arrivals to check out.
Shiseido’s Global Suncare Range (from $45)
Developed with patented technology that is said to reinforce its protective veil upon contact with heat, water or perspiration, Shiseido’s Global Suncare range is available in four formats.
PHOTO: SHISEIDO
The Japanese skincare giant recently entered the chat by unveiling its new range, powered by next-gen SynchroShield Technology, a patented tech that is said to strengthen the sunscreen’s protective veil when exposed to heat, water or perspiration.
Available in four formats – including the Perfect Sun Protector Lotion and Hydro Gel Cream – the line was developed with the brand’s guiding philosophy of “Anyone, Anytime, Anywhere” in mind.
Each product is infused with more than 50 per cent skincare ingredients, including five types of algae extracts and glycyrrhizic acid derivatives, merging serious UV protection with luxurious textures and feel-good finishes.
Especially notable is the Perfect Sun Protector Lotion SPF50+ PA++++ ($70 for 50ml), which includes AutoRepair technology – a smart film-forming system that is said to “self-heal” minor disruptions from sweat or friction, helping maintain even coverage across the skin.
Info: Available at Shiseido boutiques, Sephora and shopee.sg
The Ordinary’s UV Filters SPF45 Serum ($34 for 60ml)
The Ordinary returns to the suncare scene with the UV Filters SPF45 Serum, a weightless formula that glides on like a serum and sinks seamlessly into the skin.
PHOTO: THE ORDINARY
This is not The Ordinary’s first brush with sunscreen. Its debut SPF, the Mineral UV Filters SPF30 with Antioxidants, launched in 2018, was quietly pulled from shelves after users voiced concerns about its gloopy texture and white cast.
But instead of throwing out the idea entirely, the Canadian brand returned to the laboratory to develop a formula that could tick all the boxes: high protection, daily usability and a price that is as no-frills as the packaging.
Enter the UV Filters SPF45 Serum after two years of development. True to its name, this hybrid formula delivers high-level sun protection in a lightweight, serum-like texture that melts effortlessly into skin, and is said to offer broad-spectrum SPF45 coverage without the heavy, greasy feel or white cast.
But in a world where SPF50 has become the unofficial standard, its SPF45 label might raise some eyebrows.
“It’s simply the result the formula achieved during third-party clinical testing,” says Ms Rita J. Silva, scientific communications manager at The Ordinary, in an e-mail interview.
While the number may look modest, she notes the protection difference between SPF45 and SPF50 is just 0.2 per cent in UVB filtration, and the serum still boasts broad-spectrum coverage with a rating of PA++++.
To celebrate its launch, The Ordinary is hosting an interactive SPF Studio from June 6 to 8 at photography and events studio Rawspace at 48 Niven Road. Open to the public by registration (via tinyurl.com/yeyz8dcj
Info: Available at Sephora and sephora.sg
Re:erth’s Radiance Defense ($65)
Re:erth’s onsen-tested sunscreen is said to protect not just against UVA and UVB, but also near-infrared radiation and blue light.
PHOTO: RE:ERTH
Radiance Defense SPF 50+ PA++++ delivers what Japanese founder Shinji Yamasaki calls a “one-of-a-kind product” combining five layers of defence – against UVA, UVB, near-infrared radiation (NIR), blue light and the lesser-known Damps (damage-associated molecular patterns), molecules released by stressed or UV-damaged skin cells which trigger inflammation and can lead to pigmentation and premature ageing.
“In today’s world, sun exposure isn’t just about UVA and UVB any more,” he says in an e-mail interview. “Radiance Defense is designed to defend against these broader aggressors while still feeling lightweight, elegant and seamless within any skincare routine.”
For years, the Singapore-based, Japanese-inspired skincare brand resisted adding a sunscreen to its line-up, as crafting one that could guard against five skin aggressors without sacrificing comfort required what he describes as “real, complex chemistry”.
The team spent years experimenting, analysing ingredient interactions and testing multiple iterations to perfect the formula.
Knowing that Singapore’s climate can be relentlessly hot and humid, the sunscreen was put through onsen-testing – a rigorous assessment that simulates extreme heat and humidity at around 42 deg C to evaluate its resistance to sweat and water.
The result? A high-performance sunscreen that is said to hold up without feeling like a mask.
Info: Available at reerth.com and Design Orchard, 250 Orchard Road
