CSL sun care product development: sunscreen tubes and SPF stick

Sector · Sun care

Sun protection people actually wear.

The best sunscreen is the one used every day, in the right amount. CSL formulation scientists develop SPF products that pass the test in every market you sell in and feel good enough to reapply, and the formula is yours.

Start a project The science we formulate for

Guires Cosmetic Science Lab

Sunscreen Formulations from Guires CSL

At Guires Cosmetic Science Lab, CSL formulation chemists develop sunscreen formulations for the EU, US, Australia and ASEAN, from mineral SPF to tinted sunscreens with iron oxides, with protection proven by SPF testing to ISO 24444 and UVA testing to ISO 24443. With more than 10 years of sun care experience, the team balances high, stable protection with light textures people apply properly, then transfers each product to your chosen sunscreen manufacturer.

Start your project with Guires CSL

What shoppers look for now

01Daily, not holiday

Shoppers now expect SPF in everyday products, from moisturisers to tinted fluids, not only in beach bottles.

02Invisible

No white cast on any skin tone, no greasiness, no pilling under makeup. Elegance decides whether sunscreen gets used.

03Beyond UV

Interest is growing in protection from visible light and blue light, and in formulas that care for skin as well as shield it.

The science

The photobiology we formulate for.

Sun care briefs come down to three things: protection that matches the label, a texture people apply generously, and protection beyond UVB.

CSL sunscreen science: UV rays deflected by a protective shield over skin with sunscreen, with UV filter molecules, zinc oxide powder and photostabilisers

UV protection

Protection that matches the label.

Daily sunscreen use is one of the best-evidenced interventions in dermatology, reducing skin cancer and visible ageing in long-term randomised trials. Delivering that benefit starts with a filter system that reaches its SPF and UVA targets under each market’s rules.

Ingredients CSL scientists work with

Organic UV filters (market-approved)Zinc oxideTitanium dioxidePhotostabilisersFilm formersSPF boosters

How CSL proves it works

  • In-vivo SPFISO 24444 on volunteer panels
  • UVA protectionISO 24443 in vitro, ISO 24442 PA rating
  • PhotostabilityFilter performance after UV exposure
  • Critical wavelengthBroad-spectrum claims where required
Published evidenceGreen 2011 · daily sunscreenGreen 1999 · daily sunscreenHughes 2013 · daily sunscreen
CSL sunscreen wearability science: man applying a light sunscreen texture, with emollient oils, silica powders, encapsulated filters and water-resistant film

Wearability

A texture that gets applied properly.

SPF is tested at 2 mg/cm², but most people apply far less, and protection drops steeply when they do. Light, fast-absorbing, invisible textures are how a sunscreen delivers its labelled protection in real life.

Ingredients CSL scientists work with

Light emollient estersSilica & starch powdersEncapsulated filtersWater-resistant film formersTinted iron oxides

How CSL proves it works

  • Sensory panelsAbsorption, shine, stickiness and white cast
  • Water resistance40- and 80-minute immersion protocols
  • Under-makeup testingPilling and wear with foundation
  • Skin-tone panelsWhite cast across phototypes
Published evidenceFaurschou 2007 · Application amount vs SPFAutier 1999 · How people use SPF
CSL visible light protection science: tinted sunscreen on the cheek, with iron oxides, vitamin E, niacinamide and soothing botanicals

Beyond UVB

Protection for visible light and sensitive skin.

Visible light can worsen pigmentation such as melasma, especially in deeper skin tones. Tinted sunscreens with iron oxides block part of it. Lip SPF, sensitive-skin and after-sun products complete the range.

Ingredients CSL scientists work with

Iron oxidesAntioxidants (vitamin E, ferulic acid)NiacinamideSoothing agentsLip-safe filters

How CSL proves it works

  • Visible-light testingTransmission across 400–700 nm
  • Pigmentation studiesColour measurement over 8–24 weeks
  • Sensitive-skin tolerancePatch and in-use tests
Published evidenceCastanedo-Cazares 2014 · visible-light protectionBoukari 2015 · tinted SPFRooney 1991 · Lip SPF

Talk to a CSL formulation scientist

Have a sun care idea? Book a 30-minute brief review.

Share your concept, benchmark or target claim. A CSL formulation scientist will tell you what is feasible, what evidence it needs and a realistic timeline.

Book a brief review

Clinical evidence

What the published trials show.

Peer-reviewed human studies behind the ingredients and approaches on this page. Each links to its PubMed record.

Randomised controlled trialMelanoma · daily sunscreen

Daily SPF 15+ sunscreen vs discretionary use

Randomised trial · 1,621 adults · 4.5 years + 10-year follow-up

Invasive melanomas were fewer with daily use (3 vs 11; HR 0.27, 95% CI 0.08–0.97); all new primary melanomas halved (11 vs 22), borderline significant.

Green AC et al. J Clin Oncol 2011;29(3):257–263 · PMID 21135266

Randomised controlled trialSkin cancer · daily sunscreen

Daily SPF 15+ sunscreen vs discretionary use

Community randomised factorial trial · 1,621 adults · 4.5 years

Squamous cell carcinoma tumours were 39% lower with daily sunscreen (RR 0.61, 95% CI 0.46–0.81); no effect on basal cell carcinoma.

Green A et al. Lancet 1999;354(9180):723–729 · PMID 10475183

These are published studies on ingredients, methods and routines, not on products we have made. A finished product needs its own testing before a claim goes on pack, and we design that study with you. See the full evidence library

Sensorial experience

Sunscreen people want to reapply.

Every avoided reapplication lowers real-world protection. We design the feel, finish and format so people reach for it again at noon.

Invisible finish

Clear gels, sheer fluids and tinted formulas that disappear on every skin tone.

White castSkin-tone panels

Under makeup

Primers and daily SPF that sit well under foundation without pilling.

Layering tests

Reapplication formats

Sticks, sprays, mists and powders for topping up over makeup and on the go.

Format development

Sport and water

Sweat- and water-resistant formulas that do not sting eyes.

Water resistanceEye sting

Concept spotlight

Ideas we can take from bench to shelf.

Example concepts to show the range. Every project starts from your own brief, and the finished formula belongs to you.

Tinted mineral daily fluid: product concept by Guires CSL
Daily SPF · Tinted

Tinted mineral daily fluid

A sheer, tinted mineral SPF with iron oxides for visible-light protection, in a shade range for deeper skin tones.

Reapply-over-makeup mist: product concept by Guires CSL
Reapplication

Reapply-over-makeup mist

A fine mist that tops up protection without disturbing foundation.

Sport stick SPF 50: product concept by Guires CSL
Sport · Water-resistant

Sport stick SPF 50

A solid stick that glides on, resists sweat and does not run into eyes.

Responsible beauty

Protection with a lighter footprint.

Sun care has come under scrutiny for its effect on water and reefs. We choose filters and formats with that in mind, and make sure any environmental claim is backed up.

Our supplier directory

Considered filter choices

Filter systems chosen for your markets with environmental data in view, and “reef” claims avoided unless they can be substantiated.

Claims review

Biodegradable emollients

Readily biodegradable esters and film formers, checked against supplier OECD 301 data.

OECD 301

Refill and lower-plastic packs

Sticks, tubes and refills tested for compatibility with UV filters.

Pack compatibility

Natural-origin measured properly

ISO 16128 calculation for mineral and natural-leaning formulas.

ISO 16128
Cosmetic or drug?

Sunscreens are cosmetics in the EU, UK and ASEAN, OTC drugs in the US, and therapeutic goods in Australia. Each route has its own filter list, testing and labelling, so we confirm it before we formulate.

From trend to brief

Start with insight, not guesswork.

Before formulation begins, we can map your market so the product lands with a clear point of difference.

Market and shelf scanWhat competitors in your channel and price point already claim, and where the gaps are
Ingredient watchActives gaining evidence, and those facing new restrictions in your target markets
Claim feasibilityWhich claims your budget and timeline can support, and the study each one needs
Brief you can build onA one-page product brief with formats, actives, claims and target markets

Formats

What we develop in sun care.

Daily SPF moisturisersMineral sunscreensTinted SPFSprays & mistsSticksSport & water-resistantAfter-sun

Testing & compliance

The evidence sun care needs.

In-vivo SPFISO 24444
UVA protectionISO 24443 · ISO 24442 PA
Water resistanceStandard immersion protocols
PhotostabilityPre-irradiation testing

Applications

Common sun care goals.

Sun protectionSPF, UVA, blue lightAnti-ageing & wrinklesFine lines, firmness, elasticityHyperpigmentation & even toneDark spots, uneven toneSensitive skin & rednessCalming, low-irritation formulas

Services

How we help.

Product formulationNew products, reformulation, benchmark matchingPrototyping & product developmentSamples, sensory, fragrance, packagingSafety & stability testingISO and OECD methods, safety reportsClaims & clinical trial supportClaim mapping, patch tests, efficacy studies

Market insights from Guires CSL scientists

Stay ahead in sun care with regulation updates, the latest research, ingredient spotlights, recalls and market trends, written by the Guires CSL formulation, testing, clinical and regulatory teams.

Explore market insights
Guires CSL scientists reviewing cosmetic market research and regulatory updates

FAQ

Sun care questions.

Can one sunscreen formula be sold in the EU and the US?

Sometimes, but the approved UV filter lists differ and the US treats sunscreen as an OTC drug. We often design one base with market-specific filter systems.

Where is SPF testing done?

In accredited laboratories using ISO 24444 for SPF, ISO 24443 for UVA and standard water-resistance protocols.

Can you make a mineral sunscreen without white cast?

Yes. We control particle size, dispersion and tint, and test on panels across skin tones.

Can we claim protection from blue light or visible light?

Only with data. We measure visible-light transmission and word the claim separately from the SPF rating.

Who owns the formula?

You do. We sign an NDA before you share your brief, and the formula and technical file are handed over at the end.

Guires CSL quality, compliance and safety

Every sun care project at Guires CSL runs inside an ISO 9001 certified quality system, with documented methods, calibrated instruments, traceable raw materials and reviewed reports, so the results behind your product can be checked and defended.

Guires CSL quality & accreditations
Guires CSL analyst checking cosmetic samples under a microscope

In their words

What clients say.

“Everyday wearability drove our brief, and they refined our sunscreen’s sensory profile without compromising UV-filter performance or stability.”
Oliver GrantR&D Director · Australia
“Testing at prototype stage, not just at the end, revealed performance gaps we fixed before finalising the formula, so our sun-protection claims rest on solid data.”
Claire DuboisNPD Manager · France
“An early review of formulation, testing requirements and claims strategy prepared our sunscreen for multiple markets and avoided late-stage compliance changes.”
Daniel WongRegulatory Affairs Lead · Singapore

Insights

Related reading.

Guidance from our formulation, testing and regulatory teams on the topics this page covers.

All insights

Start a project

Create your next product with CSL.

Our formulation chemists, testing scientists and regulatory specialists work alongside your team, from the first brief to a market-ready product. Bring a brief, a benchmark or just an idea: a scientist will reply within one working day with next steps and an indicative scope.

Create with us