No more greasy, sticky sunscreen: these serum-sized sun drops reconcile even the most reluctant with SPF.
Conventional sunscreen has long suffered from a bad reputation. Oily texture, sticky finish, heavy feel under make-up: these are just some of the reasons why many people still skip this step. But one format in particular is changing all that, and sun drops are the best example.
Why sunscreen is often overlooked
Sun protection has become an essential part of everyday life. Yet many still skip it, often because the textures are too thick, too shiny or too uncomfortable to wear.
This rejection is particularly strong among those who wear make-up. Creams that are too greasy can cause foundation to slide off, create an oily finish or weigh the skin down first thing in the morning. As a result, sun protection becomes a constraint rather than a treatment.
Yet ignoring the SPF on a daily basis exposes the skin to the effects of UV rays, far beyond simple sunburn. What’s more, demand for lighter, more comfortable formats has never been greater.
“Offering high protection in a texture as light as a classic facial.”
The rise of sun serums
It’s against this backdrop that sun drops have emerged as a convincing alternative. These serum-format sunscreens have been creating a buzz on social networks for several months now.
Their promise is simple: high protection in a texture as light as that of a conventional face care product. In Australia, where UV awareness is particularly high, this type of product has already become a must-have.
Many skincare enthusiasts now swear by this fluid format. More comfortable and easier to incorporate into a routine, sun drops are also winning over those who didn’t like applying sunscreen before.
- A light serum texture, with no greasy finish or heavy feel
- Broad-spectrum UV protection
- Even application all over the face
- A format that’s easy to integrate into an existing skincare routine
- A product also suitable for make-up wearers
The Ordinary UV Filter Serum SPF 45, a concrete example
Among the products that embody this trend, The Ordinary’s Sérum Filtres UV SPF 45 fits perfectly into the sun drop category. Presented as a serum, it offers broad-spectrum sun protection while retaining a light texture that’s pleasant to wear every day.
Its fluid formula ensures even application, with no greasy finish or heavy feel. As such, it represents a good illustration of the new generation of SPFs, which seek above all to make sun protection easier to adopt.
Its price is affordable: 23 euros. What’s more, this price positioning contributes to its appeal to a wide audience, from skincare beginners to seasoned enthusiasts.
How to use this type of product
A sun serum such as this sun drops should be used like a conventional skin care product, on clean skin, 15 minutes before exposure to the sun. Shake the bottle before use to homogenize the formula.
A sufficient quantity should be applied to the whole face to guarantee SPF 45 protection. In the event of prolonged exposure, the product should be reapplied every two hours, as well as after swimming, perspiring or toweling off.
These simple gestures allow you to take full advantage of the protection offered. As a result, adopting sun drops on a daily basis becomes as easy as applying your usual serum.
A format that reconciles you with SPF on a daily basis
What distinguishes sun drops from conventional sun creams is, above all, their ability to integrate seamlessly into an existing routine. The serum format is familiar, reassuring, and requires no particular adaptation time.
What’s more, the absence of an oily finish really changes the experience for combination or oily skin, which is often the most reluctant to use sun protection. Yet these skins are just as exposed to UV damage as others.
However, whatever format you choose, the rules of application remain the same: a sufficient quantity, regular reapplication, and complete coverage of the face. The pleasure of using a pleasant product should never be at the expense of effectiveness.
The sun drops trend is a good illustration of how the sun protection market will evolve in 2026: increasingly sophisticated formulas designed to remove the last remaining obstacles to the adoption of SPF in everyday life.
