The sun presents an interesting irony. We bask in it and hide from it at the same time. More and more, suncare products are an important part of our routines.
According to the 2020 RealSelf Sun Safety Report, 64% of US adults report that they always or almost always wear sunscreen when they plan to be outside for an extended period. At the same time, scientists predict a 10% reduction in the ozone layer could mean 300,000 more cases of skin cancer.
We believe that suncare products’ importance will increase with climate changes. If you’re a suncare formulator or product developer, it’s challenging to meet consumer demands.
In our work advising on new technologies and ingredients, we see three trends impacting the category.
Is your suncare product coral reef safe?
You’ve heard of going green. What about blue?
The Blue Beauty movement pushes brands to be more mindful of their packaging and ingredients’ impact on marine ecosystems. Studies show that UV filters found in sunscreens can cause coral reefs to bleach. In response, some tropical destinations that depend on coral reefs for tourism and ecosystem health have banned reef-harming sunscreens.
Is your suncare product free of chemicals of concern?
Recently, sunscreen has faced increased scrutiny because of its unsafe levels of carcinogenic ingredients. More consumers are turning the bottle and looking more carefully at the ingredient list.
Yet, consumers can also be influenced by more than regulatory agencies. They’re listening to and participating in online conversations.
And this is why we remind brands to keep a pulse on both–consumers and regulatoryagencies–as they formulate.
Does your suncare product work on all skin tones?
Consumers know that the absence of a daily SPF leads to sun damage. More consumers are calling out suncare products that corporations have formulated for lighter skin tones. Darker-skinned consumers are disappointed when they find their options limited.
Does your brand want to reach all consumers? Inclusiveness in suncare is essential.
How can we help?
The personal care consumer is becoming more climate-conscious, demanding more minimalistic ingredients, and calling for more inclusivity.
Can your team deliver innovative products?
Consumer demands are also evolving into legislative requirements. Does your product development team have robust systems to monitor the changing regulatory landscape?
Through our technology landscaping process, we help companies find ingredients, technologies, and partners to solve these and other challenges. We provide the answers you need to make the right future-focused decisions for your brand, giving you confidence in your next in-house innovation or investment.
Leading brands come to us for help navigating complex futures, maximizing innovation impact, and meeting challenging sustainability goals. All three of these challenges are impacting the suncare space.
Let’s talk about how we can help with your next suncare innovation.
