Hello Sunday Founder On Expanding Into The US And Busting Sunscreen Myths — E.693

Hello Sunday: Expanding the SPF Revolution to the U.S. Market

In this episode of Skin Anarchy, host Ekta Yadav welcomes back Amy Ford, the founder of Hello Sunday, a groundbreaking SPF brand that has been redefining sun protection since its inception. Originally based in the UK, Hello Sunday has recently made its way into the U.S. market, partnering with Sephora to bring its innovative and accessible products to a wider audience. With a commitment to making SPF easy to incorporate into daily routines, Amy shares the journey of building the brand, its vision, and the challenges of expanding into the U.S.

A Brand Built on Innovation and Accessibility

Hello Sunday, founded by Amy Ford, has been on a mission for three years to make SPF protection a seamless part of everyone’s daily skincare routine. The brand aims to address a major gap in the market — offering SPF products that are not just for summer vacations but for daily use, regardless of the weather or time of year.

Amy, who spent a significant part of her career in Australia, explained that her time there ingrained the importance of daily SPF use. Upon returning to the UK, she was surprised to see that many people still associated sunscreen with sunny holidays, neglecting the need for daily sun protection, even on cloudy days. “UVA rays are present every single day, and they can damage your skin, even when it’s not sunny,” Amy noted. This inspired her to create a brand that emphasized the importance of everyday sun protection while making it accessible and enjoyable for all skin types.

Redefining SPF for Daily Life

Hello Sunday takes a fresh approach to sunscreen by integrating it with skincare, offering products like SPF moisturizers, primers, and serums that make applying sun protection a natural part of any skincare routine. As Ekta pointed out, the brand stands out for making SPF fun and easy to use, with lightweight, multi-functional formulas that feel great on the skin.

“We wanted to make products that people would enjoy using, that feel like skincare,” Amy explained. This vision is evident in products like the SPF primer, which is clear, lightweight, and silicone-free, yet offers a velvety, smooth finish perfect for layering under makeup. The primer, one of the brand’s best-sellers, provides SPF 50 protection while being water and sweat-resistant, making it a go-to for many customers.

Expanding into the U.S. Market

In 2023, Hello Sunday officially launched in the U.S., exclusively through Sephora, marking a significant milestone for the brand. Amy shared that partnering with Sephora was a dream come true, as the retailer’s commitment to supporting indie brands aligned perfectly with Hello Sunday’s values.

“Sephora has been incredibly supportive of indie brands, and they really understand the importance of year-round SPF,” Amy said. Unlike traditional retailers that only stock sunscreen during the summer months, Sephora recognizes the need for sun protection all year round. This alignment of values made Sephora the perfect partner for Hello Sunday’s U.S. expansion.

However, expanding into the U.S. market came with its challenges. The biggest hurdle was reformulating the products to comply with FDA regulations, which differ from those in the UK and other parts of the world. “The U.S. has different regulations for sunscreen filters, so we had to reformulate the entire range,” Amy explained. Despite these challenges, the brand was able to maintain the same lightweight, high-performance formulas that their customers loved.

Debunking SPF Myths and Promoting Education

One of the core missions of Hello Sunday is to educate consumers about the importance of daily sun protection. Amy and her team are passionate about debunking the myths surrounding sunscreen, particularly on social media platforms like TikTok, where misinformation can spread rapidly. “There’s so much misinformation out there, like people making their own sunscreen or saying sunscreen has chemicals in it,” Amy said. “But the reality is, everything is a chemical, including water.”

Amy emphasized the importance of educating people about the real benefits of using sunscreen, especially its role in reducing the risk of skin cancer and preventing premature aging. She pointed out that while trends come and go, the science behind SPF remains clear — it’s essential for maintaining healthy, youthful skin.

A Commitment to Affordability and Accessibility

One of the standout qualities of Hello Sunday is its commitment to keeping SPF affordable and accessible to everyone. “SPF is a right, not a privilege,” Amy declared. She explained that many brands make sunscreen a luxury item, but Hello Sunday’s goal is to ensure that sun protection is accessible to all consumers, regardless of their budget.

The brand’s products, including the SPF primer, face moisturizers, and lip balms, are priced reasonably, making it easier for consumers to incorporate effective sun protection into their routines without breaking the bank. Hello Sunday believes that using SPF shouldn’t be a luxury — it should be a daily essential.

Best-Selling Products in the U.S.

Since launching in Sephora, Hello Sunday’s products have been met with enthusiasm from U.S. customers. Two standout products include the SPF Primer and the Everyday Face Moisturizer, both of which offer high SPF protection in lightweight, comfortable formulas. The Everyday Face Moisturizer has become a favorite for its ability to work across all skin tones, leaving a natural finish that feels great on the skin.

Another exciting addition to the U.S. market is the Strawberry SPF Lip Balm, a product that Amy is particularly proud of. “People often forget to protect their lips, but the skin on your lips is just as vulnerable to sun damage as the rest of your face,” Amy noted. The SPF 50 lip balm offers both protection and a fun strawberry flavor, making it a must-have for those looking to protect their lips from sun damage.

Looking Ahead: The Future of SPF

As Hello Sunday continues to grow, Amy remains committed to innovating within the SPF space. With new products and continued expansion, the brand is focused on making sun protection easy, fun, and accessible to all. Amy emphasized that while trends may come and go, the need for effective, science-backed SPF remains constant.

For consumers looking for sun protection that feels more like skincare than sunscreen, Hello Sunday offers a refreshing alternative. As Ekta perfectly summed up, “Hello Sunday makes incorporating SPF into your daily routine effortless and enjoyable.”

For those interested in trying Hello Sunday’s products, they are now available exclusively at Sephora in the U.S. If you haven’t already, make sure to check them out and make SPF a non-negotiable part of your daily routine!

To learn more about the EWG Skin Deep database and approved cosmetics/skincare, visit their website and social media. Don’t forget to subscribe to Skincare Anarchy on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or your preferred platform. Reach out to us through email with any questions.

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