The Ordinary UV Filters SPF 45 Serum: a Guru Score of 65%

What the gurus are saying.

Every take we've logged from this product's reviews across YouTube. Click any row to watch the moment they said it.

All takes Yay takes Nay takes Mixed takes Hide sponsored

~Nay

"Their UV45 fluid, this is their sunscreen. After the disaster that was their original sunscreens, they pulled them from market. They went back to the drawing board. Spent 2 years reformulating to come back with this garbage. And it is garbage. It's greasy. It's shiny. It's really expensive for what you're getting. And in comparison to The Ordinary product pricing in general, you get 60 mil and it's like £16. Way overpriced for what you're getting. And it uses old style filters. I know why they do that. It's for the US market because of the outdated regulations from the FDA. I get that. But for anyone watching this from outside the US, we don't need this in our lives. We have so many better options on the market, we don't need this. I think if I was The Ordinary, I would only sell this product in the US because anyone outside the US that can walk into any drugstore and pick up a product that is better and cheaper than this won't go anywhere near it. So, if you're watching this from the US, this actually is probably one of the okay US approved formulas. Anyone outside the US will know that there are just better sunscreens and this isn't it. I feel like we've just waited 2 years for nothing. It's just a firm firm no. And the more that I've tried it, dabbled with it, the less I've liked it."

All 5 takes from Mad About Skin

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"It was definitely on the jewery side which is something I think people should be aware of. But it wore well all day. It didn't ball up and it didn't cause any irritation for me. It is very very light for a sunscreen using FDA approved filters. I will say I think this is the best US sunscreen that I've ever found in terms of that lightweight finish and how it feels on the skin. It's definitely definitely up there with the best. Genuinely lightweight, didn't leave any ashiness or distort the skin tone in any way, and was a really really nice formulation. I like the blend of different filters they've used to achieve that broadspectrum protection. And I think this for the US market is phenomenal. For us that are shopping in the European Union we're accustomed to the newer generation filters that come out of Korea, Australasia, the EU. I think this isn't going to be anything groundbreaking or new. And actually the newer generation filters for me at least I think still provide better protection, a nicer finish on the skin, and less risk of sensitivity. However if you're in the US and you want to go to a physical store and buy like the best sunscreen available, this is it."

5⭐ SKIN FIRMING ROUTINE (Ultimate Anti Aging Skincare Routine)

"This is the new Ordinary UV Filters SPF 45 Serum, the new sunscreen from The Ordinary. It uses old style filters that are US approved. So if you're in the US, this is probably going to be the best over-the-counter sunscreen you're going to find. For the rest of the world that isn't the US, I think there's better options. It has a really lightweight texture to it. I don't mind this sunscreen, but I do find it's a little bit dewy for what I would actually want. It doesn't distort the skin, you don't get any ashiness or discoloration from it, which I like. It's quite calming and soothing, but I just feel it's a little bit on the dewy side."

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"The sunscreen, I agree, it's nothing special. It's not a particularly great formulation. It hasn't got a great finish on the skin, and it's also not that affordable. When you look at the amount of product you're getting, it's actually not that cheap when it comes to sunscreens. And I would say to people, don't rush out and buy it. I don't think there's anything special there. I understand why The Ordinary created it because all big skincare brands feel that they have to have a sunscreen in their collection in order to be complete. I get that. It is a true non-negotiable in a skincare routine, so it makes sense to have one, but it felt rushed. It also didn't feel like they were bringing anything innovative or exciting to market, and it's not particularly cheap."

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"This has got a dewy finish which a lot of people love. I don't, which is why I'm going to give that away unopened. I've already tried one. It's nice if you like a dewy finish on a sunscreen, this is good."

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"Their UV45 fluid, this is their sunscreen. After the disaster that was their original sunscreens, they pulled them from market. They went back to the drawing board. Spent 2 years reformulating to come back with this garbage. And it is garbage. It's greasy. It's shiny. It's really expensive for what you're getting. And in comparison to The Ordinary product pricing in general, you get 60 mil and it's like £16. Way overpriced for what you're getting. And it uses old style filters. I know why they do that. It's for the US market because of the outdated regulations from the FDA. I get that. But for anyone watching this from outside the US, we don't need this in our lives. We have so many better options on the market, we don't need this. I think if I was The Ordinary, I would only sell this product in the US because anyone outside the US that can walk into any drugstore and pick up a product that is better and cheaper than this won't go anywhere near it. So, if you're watching this from the US, this actually is probably one of the okay US approved formulas. Anyone outside the US will know that there are just better sunscreens and this isn't it. I feel like we've just waited 2 years for nothing. It's just a firm firm no. And the more that I've tried it, dabbled with it, the less I've liked it."

Dr Dray

2.68M subs

~Nay

"The Ordinary's newest sunscreen is super dewy and shiny, and if a sunscreen is like that, I won't use it. What a flop."

All 2 takes from Dr Dray

My Honest Review Of The Ordinary Sunscreen

"It feels uncomfortable. It's still sticky. It's still gooey. It feels like I have a thin film of oil on my face. Feels like I've been working the deep fryer all day. I don't like the way that this feels. It's not a pleasant experience. The formula, I will say, does not cause any kind of burning, tingling sensation. That's great for me cuz sometimes I get that with certain American chemical sunscreens, but while this remains uncomfortable to wear throughout the day, the feel of it on your face, for me at least, does not improve. I will give them credit. It does not peel. You're not getting sunscreen balls coming up off of your face. Makeup goes on over this quite well."

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"The Ordinary's newest sunscreen is super dewy and shiny, and if a sunscreen is like that, I won't use it. What a flop."

Nipun Kapur

408k subs

~Yay

"Overall I think this is a really really good product. And if you are someone who generally has trust issues. Right? And you are wondering if there is acne-prone production or not. Now you have an international brand which is put it out there. It's an SPF 45, a true SPF 45, giving you 98% protection."

Dr. Shereene Idriss

1.72M subs

~Yay

"The Ordinary UV Filters SPF 45 Serum. It's a brand new launch for $19. It's pretty incredible. It is very lightweight. It is serum-like and it is fragrance free and it is great for the person who hates sunscreen."

Top Pick: sunscreen for sunscreen haters

Cassandra Bankson

2.46M subs

~Mixed

"The Ordinary really only has one sunscreen, whereas BeMinimalist has a sunscreen but actually has multiple cleansers."

What the evidence says.

Independent of what the gurus think, this is what the published research supports about the main active ingredients here.

Sunscreen filters

Sun protection is the best evidenced way to slow visible ageing, and the filters are what does the work. Mineral and chemical filters both protect when a product is applied thickly enough and often enough, which is where most people fall short rather than on the choice of filter.

Source: DermNet

Vitamin E

Vitamin E is an antioxidant, and it is often in a formula to keep the other ingredients stable rather than as the active itself. It pairs well with vitamin C, though on its own the evidence for visible change is limited.

Source: NIH, National Library of Medicine

Frequently asked.

What is The Ordinary UV Filters SPF 45 Serum?

A chemical sunscreen serum from The Ordinary offering SPF 45 protection with a lightweight, fragrance-free formula designed for daily facial use.

Is The Ordinary UV Filters SPF 45 Serum worth it?

The gurus are split. 2 of the 5 gurus give it their stamp of approval while 2 would skip it, which lands it in the middle at a Guru Score of 65%.

What is The Ordinary UV Filters SPF 45 Serum's Guru Score?

The Ordinary UV Filters SPF 45 Serum holds a Guru Score of 65%. That is our read on how warmly the experts talk about it, based on the verdicts of 5 expert reviewers we have collected. At least one expert has named it a Top Pick in its category.