Brands
Deconstruct upgrades gel sunscreen with new-age UV filters
Reformulation adds four next-gen UV filters for stronger, longer sun protection
NATIONAL: Indian skincare brand Deconstruct has upgraded its bestselling gel sunscreen, becoming one of the first domestic brands to shift to a new generation of photostable UV filters tailored for Indian weather conditions and skin types.
The reformulated product uses four modern UV filters, including Tinosorb S, Tinosorb M, Uvinul A Plus and Uvinul T 150, designed to deliver broad-spectrum UVA and UVB protection with improved durability under prolonged sun exposure. Unlike older filters that can degrade quickly, the upgraded formulation remains effective for longer periods, addressing concerns about real-world sunscreen performance in heat and humidity.
While the science has been strengthened, Deconstruct retained the product’s lightweight, non-greasy gel texture. The sunscreen absorbs quickly, leaves no white cast and is designed for oily skin and daily use in humid climates: key factors behind its popularity with Indian consumers.
Photostability is increasingly seen as a critical benchmark in sunscreen efficacy, as unstable filters can weaken protection even with repeat application. By adopting globally recognised, highly stable UV filters, Deconstruct aims to narrow the gap between Indian formulations and international performance standards.
Deconstruct founder and CEO Malini Adapureddy, said the upgrade was driven by the need to improve protection without compromising user experience. She said Indian conditions demand sunscreens that remain effective under sustained sun exposure while staying comfortable enough for everyday wear.
The reformulation reflects a broader shift within India’s skincare market towards performance-led sun protection that prioritises durability and real-world use, rather than headline SPF claims alone.
Brands
Faber-Castell India appoints Sunaina Haldar as director – marketing
With stints at Tata, SleepyCat and ADF Foods under her belt, Haldar is primed to redraw Faber-Castell’s brand story
MUMBAI: Faber-Castell India has poached Sunaina Haldar from ADF Foods, appointing her director – marketing as the German stationery brand looks to muscle up in a category that is rapidly reinventing itself around creativity and self-expression.
Haldar hit the ground running. “My first couple of weeks have been incredibly energising, understanding consumers, visiting markets, engaging with retailers and immersing myself into the world of Faber-Castell Group,” she said.
She arrives with considerable firepower. At ADF Foods, Haldar ran marketing across India and international markets for a portfolio spanning Ashoka, Aeroplane, Camel and ADF Soul. Before that, she was vice-president – marketing at direct-to-consumer mattress brand SleepyCat, where she helmed brand, content and performance marketing. Her résumé also includes a stint leading marketing, new product development and CRM for Tata SmartFoodz at Tata Consumer Products, no small proving ground.
Between corporate roles, Haldar also operated as a fractional CMO for early-stage startups, building marketing strategy and operational structures from scratch, a signal that she knows how to move fast with limited resources.
With 18 years straddling FMCG, D2C and the startup world, Haldar now takes the reins at a brand that has long owned the classroom but is clearly hungry for the living room. In a stationery market where the pencil has become a lifestyle statement, Faber-Castell has picked someone who knows exactly how to sell that story.
