Consumer awareness boosts US sun care
Growing awareness about the potentially harmful effects of UV rays has helped lift US sun care sales in 2012
Increasing awareness by consumers about the potentially harmful effects of UV rays has helped boost sun care sales in 2012, according to researcher Kline.
Manufacturers’ sales in this category grew 6.5% in 2012 in the US, said the company in its report, Sun Care Products Market in the United States.
“Given consumers’ near universal desire for value and products with multiple benefits,” said Kline, “sun care marketers are diversifying their product offerings. Recently, a common trend emerging among many upmarket sunscreens is to include tint, as exemplified by Anthelios 50 Tinted Mineral Ultra Light Sunscreen Fluid (L’Oréal’s La Roche Posay), and Eclipse SPF 50+ PerfecTint by Innovative Skin Care.”
Ever more innovative formulations are also affecting sun care packaging, said Kline. “Due to the volatile nature of product formulations, packaging is of utmost importance to marketers of sun care products,” said the firm.
“With the evolution of the sun care market, marketers are introducing complex formulations that require innovative packaging solutions, including airless packs, foams, sprays, and dispenser tubes.”
New US regulations, which came into effect in December 2012, are also affecting the market. Companies can no longer employ terms like “waterproof”, “sweat proof”, “sunblock”, and “all day protection” on product labelling and formulations. Additionally, products must pass UVA and UVB protection tests to claim “broad spectrum” protection. These regulations are likely to lead to changes during the coming years, said Kline.
