Is the skincare market saturated with sunscreens?

If there’s one area in the skincare market that has superfluous options, it’s that of sunscreens. We attempt to understand what promotes the addition of newer products in this category every so often

Sunscreen has taken centre stage in the past few years, quite literally. In India, the sun protection market—which involves sunscreens, sun sprays and after-sun lotions—is poised to clock in sales worth US$0.68 billion in 2023. It is expected to grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 8.58 per cent between 2023 and 2027, according to a Statista report. Another Research & Market report reveals that while the CAGR of the sunscreen market in India was restricted to 6.49 per cent between 2015 and 2020, the number is poised to increase to 9.7 per cent, evaluating the market at US$1.1 billion by 2025.

It’s quite evident that the sun protection movement has picked up significantly in India in the past few years, leading homegrown beauty brands to launch their take on the product, based on consumer demand and trends. Additionally, international brands and their unique innovations—think Thank You Farmer’s Sun Stick or Beauty of Joseon’s Sun Cream—have made their way into the country, leaving us spoilt for choice.

Besides spanning various formulations such as chemical, mineral and hybrid, the look and feel (read: format) of sunscreens have also been through a modern-day upgrade. Today, for instance, we have sunscreen sticks and powders for ease and user-friendliness. However, despite the proliferation of sunscreen across types, brands are still willing to bet on the superiority of the product and launch newer variants. We speak to founders of homegrown beauty brands to decipher what drives them to still delve into the sunscreen space and ask renowned dermatologists if they notice a gap in the space despite the many launches.

What propelled the sunscreen movement?

Understanding the augmented interest surrounding sunscreens requires a two-sided approach—from a consumer point of view as well as a brand perspective. The primary cause of sunscreen’s religious inclusion in everyone’s skincare routine is awareness. While our mothers and their preceding generations barely knew about the existence of the product, today, we not only know what sunscreen is but understand why it’s imperative to apply it. “Up to 90 per cent of signs of ageing come from the sun, which makes sunscreen one of the most important things we could be doing to take care of our body’s largest organ—our skin—on a daily basis,” believes Prachi Bhandari, co-founder, Aminu. “There is a growing awareness about the risks associated with direct exposure to UVA and UVB rays,” she furthers, stating that people are actually investing in things that matter the most.

According to Mumbai-based celebrity dermatologist and author, The Skincare Answer Book, Dr Jaishree Sharad, the leading factors that have influenced people to wear sunscreen today are increased awareness about the perils of sun damage, a deeper interest in establishing a skincare routine, and sunscreen’s virality. “Increased understanding of sun damage and its long-term implications on skin health, along with a growing desire for multi-functional skincare, has propelled the sunscreen market from the point of view of the consumer,” says Shubhika Jain, founder of Moody & RAS Luxury Oils. “Today’s consumers seek not just protection but also added skincare benefits from their sunscreen.” 

Sharad also highlights the prevention-focused mindset among users today. “With the increasing emphasis on preventive healthcare, people are adopting a proactive approach to their well-being. Sunscreen aligns with this mindset by offering a simple and effective way to protect the skin from UV damage before it occurs,” opines the dermatologist.

So, is there space for more?

“Absolutely,” says New Delhi-based dermatologist Dr Kiran Sethi. “Despite the numerous sunscreens available in the market, there is space for more, especially when it comes to different formulations such as sticks, powders, and sprays as the variety of sunscreen options caters to the diverse needs and preferences of individuals, making it easier for everyone to find a product that suits their lifestyle and skin type.” Needless to say, the demand for more and more sunscreens has only been rising precipitously. 

Bhandari aspired to simplify the use of the product for consumers with a universal, power-packed mineral sunscreen. “I’ve always been obsessed with clean, high-performing ingredients and feel-good formulas so I created the glow-boosting Mineral SPF Drops, a 100 per cent mineral sunscreen that feels as silky and fluid as a serum while offering adequate protection. We came up with this as it simplifies your daily sunscreen experience; it’s versatile and can fit seamlessly into any routine.”

On the same lines, Jain noticed a distinct need for a product that extends beyond sun protection to address multiple skincare concerns simultaneously. “Moody’s new sunscreen harnesses a HydroBurst Technology to offer deep hydration, fortify skin health, and provide broad-spectrum protection, while also being easy to carry around and reapply as and when needed,” shares the founder. “The SPF is Encapsulated which means it enhances photostability, is highly compatible with other ingredients, and reduces skin irritation,” she adds.

The world of skincare has been constantly advocating the supremacy of oil mineral sunscreens; we did some digging about it some time back. However, after releasing a successful, award-winning mineral sunscreen, homegrown beauty brand Daughter Earth has recently launched a hybrid variant. “Frankly, we didn’t find a single sunscreen in the market that passed our clean standards. Most still had ingredients that have been banned in other parts of the world for the harm they cause to the planet, or they applied/smelled terrible, or focused on misleading marketing terms such as ‘SPF 70’, giving a false sense of protection to the customer,” expresses Prasanthy Gurugubelli, founder of Daughter Earth. “Our Sunnydip Mineral Sunscreen comprises a formula that uses a patented dispersion technology combined with acne-friendly ingredients such as Babassu oil sourced from the Brazilian rainforest and offers SPF 35. We carried the same philosophy when we created the hybrid sunscreen but with an SPF 50 and broad-spectrum protection for those who prefer a dewy finish. The mineral sunscreen, on the other hand, has a moist matte finish.”

Stating the reasons why more and more brands continue to venture into the sunscreen space, Bhandari concludes, “Besides the increased awareness factor, with the kind of summers we have in India, it is an easy sell even to the uninitiated. Sun-care products are considered cosmetics in India, and hence can be sold without a prescription. Lastly, different people love different textures and look for various benefits, so I guess there is space for everyone under the sun.”

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