Mintel Beauty Innovation eyes trends in sun care sector of beauty industry

CHICAGO The sun care market is heating up as the newest sun-blocking products are much trendier and easier to apply than their predecessors, according to recent research by Mintel Beauty Innovation, which globally tracks new beauty and personal care launches.

“Sunscreen faces tough competition from skin care and make-up enhanced with UV protection,” stated Taya Tomasello of Mintel. “In the past 12 months, 1-in-10 new cosmetic and skin care launches contained sun-blocking ingredients. Especially now as people try to save on personal care, products that offer multiple benefits have an upper hand. Manufacturers need to show that their sunscreens provide the best UV protection, while being fun to use, convenient and good for the skin.”

Some of the trends taking place within the sun care market, according to Mintel, include:

• Spray-on sunscreen: Mintel reports that 18% of sunscreen products launched in the past year came in an aerosol can.
• Powdered sun care: The next wave of sun protection could come in powder form. This format is currently seen from a few brands like Bare Escentuals and Peter Thomas Roth, Mintel noted.
• More natural ingredients: New sun protection products claiming “botanical” or “herbal” have steadily increased in prevalence since 2005; so far in 2009, these claims have appeared on nearly 1-in-3 launches tracked by Mintel Beauty Innovation.
• Skin care-inspired sunblock: Claims such as “moisturizing,” “oil-free” and “anti-aging” increasingly appear on new sunscreen products.