Superdrug announced earlier this year that it would be increasing SPF testing on darker skin tones by up to 35%, in an effort to improve inclusivity for customers.
The skin care industry, according to the A.S. Watson-owned retailer, typically focuses sunscreen testing on lighter skin types – and, as a result, only 4% of testers with darker skin are included in skin care trials.
Sunscreen testing uses the Fitzpatrick Scale to classify skin tone, which ranges from type 1 (pale white skin that always burns and never tans) to type 6 (very dark brown and black skin that never burns and tans easily).
The pledge forms a part of Superdrug’s Shades Of You campaign, launched in 2021, which saw the retailer commit to implementing ten actionable inclusivity changes across the business. Campaign research found that over a third of consumers (35%) did not feel represented when shopping for health and beauty products on the high street.
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