A:

It comes as no surprise that developing an SPF is a lengthy process. From keeping white cast low, formulas safe and stable and the SPF protection high, there are hundreds of important factors to consider. 

Our Mineral Hybrid Filter System (read more here) uses a lower level of filters than traditional sunscreens to ensure maximum protection, with the best possible product texture, and minimal white cast. But can we prove it? 

The answer lies within some vigorous testing! To reassure you that we’ve put everything we could into this range, we’re diving into the steps we took to perfect our SPF… 

Internal Testing

Once we’d selected the perfect UV filters for our formulas, each sunscreen was unleashed to our trusted internal review panel. Internal testing is a core part of the development process as it gives our lab team ‘live feedback’ as the brief develops – this allows them to react and adapt formulas at a much faster rate. This was followed up an extensive product feedback survey, focused on texture, finish and skin-feel, and adaptions to the formula began. 30 rounds of development over 3 years were completed using a test panel of 60 people, before we moved on to SPF testing.

SPF Testing

UK and EU Cosmetics Laws require that any sun protection claim made by a product must be substantiated, including the sun protection factor (SPF) and UVA protection, which must be 1/3rd of the SPF.

We sent our products to a third-party, UK based laboratory to run the standardised SPF test that could provide us with an SPF measurement and also confirm UVA protection in our formulations.

In a controlled laboratory environment, unprotected skin was compared against protected skin to determine the SPF. This is known as in-vivo testing. The reaction of skin is then assessed by a scientist, and a calculation is made to determine the SPF. Based on regulated testing:

• SPF 15 shields skin from 93% of UVB
  
• SPF 30 blocks nearly 97% of UVB
  
• SPF 50 blocks 98% of UVB
  
• SPF 100 blocks 99% of UVB
  

SPF 50 was our aim, and that’s what we achieved! This was a great result for the range, especially considering the time we had spent working on adaptions of our formula to get the highest possible rating with the best texture and performance.

Alongside SPF 50 protection, our range also achieved the claim of Broad Spectrum, covering UVA + UVB, with PA++++ protection (a rating you might recognise If you’re a lover of K-Beauty)! Plus, the formulas have been developed with photostable filters that won’t degrade when exposed to the environment or sunlight for ultimate skin protection.

User Trial

A UK-based independent user-trial of 59 participants helped us to gain even more confidence in our formulas! We decided to put our formulas through a User Trial, testing the product on a panel of men and women, aged 18-55, with a diverse and even split of skin tones (fair, olive, medium, deep and dark). The results are reflective across all skin types after three weeks of daily testing:

Niacinamide SPF 50 Balancing Daily Sunscreen

• 89% agreed that once absorbed, the product left minimal white cast on the skin
  
• 95% agreed that this SPF delivered the results they’d expect from a non-SPF skincare product
  
• 96% agreed the product felt lightweight and non-greasy
  
• 89% agreed the product did not cause any breakouts
  
• 88% agreed the product did not cause makeup to separate
  
• 88% agreed the product helped to minimise the appearance of pores
  

Brand images of absorption of Niacinamide SPF 50 Balancing Daily Sunscreen

Peptide SPF 50 Anti-Ageing Daily Sunscreen

• 86% agreed that once absorbed, the product left minimal white cast on the skin
  
• 88% agreed the product felt lightweight and non-greasy
  
• 86% agreed the product created a smooth base for makeup application
  
• 85% agreed the product made skin feel softer, and more supple
  
• 81% agreed the product made skin appear visibly brighter
  
• 88% agreed the product deliver the same level of hydration they would expect from a daily moisturiser
  

Brand images of absorption of Peptide SPF 50 Anti-Ageing Daily Sunscreen

Customer Trial

The Squalane SPF 50 Hydrating Daily Sunscreen was tested using 50 valued customers to trial the product before its release. We felt happy running a customer trial on this formula (rather than user trial) as the UV filter systems were comparative to the products tested above. Plus, this method of testing allowed us to get the opinion of those most important to us – our loyal Q+A customers! So, what did they think?

• 86% agreed that once absorbed, the product left minimal white cast on the skin
  
• 97% agreed that this SPF delivered the results they’d expect from a non-SPF skincare product
  
• 93% agreed that this product made skin appear healthy and radiant
  
• 89% agreed the product deliver the same level of hydration they would expect from a daily moisturiser
  

With great results in the bank, we knew we were on to winning formulas. If you want to know more about the data collected for each Daily Sunscreen, head to the product page and click the ‘User Trial’ tab.

Added Certifications

On top of SPF 50, Broad Spectrum Protection, we added a few extra certifications to give you even more confidence in our range! All three products are:

• Reef-safe to Hawaii standard
• Dermatologically tested
• Vegan-friendly
• Up to 95% natural
• Developed and manufactured in the UK

Now we’ve released our range to the world, we can’t wait to hear what you think! If you’ve tried our SPF, make sure to leave a review and if you want to know more about the range, our development process, or anything Q+A for that matter, head to our dedicated Help Centre to get in touch with our customer service team.

Until next time,

Lucy @ Team Q+A