The Sun Care category has expanded into numerous sub-categories, including products specifically marketed for babies and consumers with the most sensitive skin; advanced formulations with skin care benefits; self-tanning products; and hair care products formulated to shield your locks from the sun’s rays.

Brands are using bottles and tubes in innovative shapes; twist-up stick packaging; trigger sprays; towelettes, and continuous mist sprays – along with traditional bottles and tubes. Some brands also offer value sizes, in extra-large bottles.

‘Natural’ is another trend, and sunscreen is no exception. Various brands are promoting more natural formulations, including mineral sunscreens. The Honest Company’s sunscreen line is shown above.

The ‘Advanced Formulation’ Trend

Technavio’s latest sun care report forecasts three upcoming trends that will impact the sun care market through 2020. One highlight from the report is that more innovative products are being developed due to advancements in formulation and ingredient technologies.

Many sun care products now include skin care benefits, anti-aging, hypoallergenic, and intense repair properties. One example is Shiseido’s UV Protection Cream SPF 50 PA+++. It contains thyme and turmeric extracts to prevent wrinkles caused by DNA damage to cells, under the Clé de Peau Beauté range. The consumer business segment of Beiersdorf filed patents for 76 product innovations in FY2014, and this includes some sun care product lines.

Another example is Exuviance Sheer Daily Protector SPF 50. The mineral-based sunscreen has an ultra-fine, quickly absorbed texture that leaves skin matte and even, so it is ideal for the face. The packaging is functional – the bottle has a neck with a small diameter, so when the user lifts off the overcap, it is easy to squeeze just the right of product onto your hand.

SolSkyn Says Its Brands Are Growing in Popularity

Orlando-based SolSkyn makes and markets BullFrog, NO-AD, and Ocean Potion products. (Read more about Solskyn here in this Online Exclusive: Solskyn’s Sun Care Brands Are Designed To Atract Different Shoppers)

NO-AD, a brand that prides itself on its lack of branding, is now the fastest-growing brand in the sun care category, says Stuart J. Straus, who heads SolSkyn. “NO-AD’s success is due to its famous “more quality ingredients for your dollar” value proposition.”

This year, NO-AD has introduced a Baby Sun Care line, while the Bull Frog brand features a new design. Bull Frog’s products are now divided into three activity-based segments — Land Sport, Water Sport, and Adventure — each designed to meet the specific needs of consumers in those different outdoor environments. (See these products and more in the slideshow above.)

Sun Bum’s Stylish Look

Step into any popular surf shop or gift shop at a resort or marina, and you may find Sun Bum’s eye-catching display. Sun Bum makes a variety of sun products, in all types of packaging – and offers several different brands at different price points.

The brand’s stylish packaging includes a fun gorilla logo, which is always prominent in retail displays. The logo is also featured on additional promotional merchandise, such as beach towels and baseball caps. 

Sun Bum has stylish packaging. The brand’s Signature Sunscreen SPF 50 and Signature Facestick SPF 30 are mineral-based, chemical-free, water-resistant formulations that contain zinc. The products are packaged in dark brown, oval-shaped plastic bottles, decorated with a technique that mimics the look of a wood grain finish. Beautiful details, such as the push-in cap that is decorated to resemble wood, make the line look luxe.

Sun Bum’s Baby Bum line, for babies or anyone with super sensitive skin, is available in an SPF 30 or 50, in tube and stick packages. The gentle formulation contains naturally sourced ingredients, and is 100% mineral-based. The Baby Bum line’s packaging is beige, with yellow accents.

The full collection of SunBum products are shown in the slideshow above.

Hair Protection

Hair needs protection from the sun too. Philip Kingsley has a new product that launched in 2016 called Citrus Sunshine Swimcap, in a tube. It is an ultra-conditioning treatment formulated to prevent hair from discoloring due to sun exposure and swimming.

See these brands and more in the slideshow above.