Beauty / news
Year-Round Demand Drives Global Suncare Growth, Circana Data Shows
Daily SPF use is becoming a skincare staple, boosting suncare sales year-round with premium, facial, and mineral formulas leading the charge, according to new Circana data.
New global retail data from Circana reveals that sun protection is shifting from a seasonal purchase to a year-round essential, driven by growing consumer awareness of skin health and preventative skincare habits. Premium and prestige products are gaining ground as shoppers trade up to facial SPF, mineral formulations, and skincare-infused sunscreens.
Historically, sunscreen sales peaked during holidays, heatwaves, and summer months, but that pattern is fading. 'SPF demand is becoming less dependent on sunshine and weather patterns and more closely linked to preventative skincare habits, wellness culture, and awareness of the cumulative effects of daily UV exposure, even during colder or cloudier months,' said Larissa Jensen, SVP Global Beauty Industry Advisor at Circana.
Innovation in the category is expanding beyond UV protection. Many new premium formulations now include defense against pollution, blue light, and other environmental aggressors, further embedding SPF into daily skincare routines.
The findings come amid heightened attention on sun protection following World Sunscreen Day in May and the FDA's recent approval of a new sunscreen filter—the first in decades—which has renewed focus on product innovation.
Social media education and dermatologist recommendations are also fueling the shift, making daily SPF application a common practice among consumers of all ages.