Despite the absence of traditional beach vacations in 2020, Americans still found themselves in sunlit environments. The Outdoor Industry Association reported a surge in outdoor activities such as running, cycling, and hiking during the months of April, May, and June of that year. These activities contributed to increased sun exposure, leading dermatologists and health experts to emphasize that the sun’s harmful rays persist regardless of vacation plans. Even minimal sun exposure raises the risk of developing skin cancer and accelerates signs of aging, including fine lines, wrinkles, and dark spots.
This critical message should be communicated to consumers repeatedly to enhance awareness about sun protection.
“Each day of the year, we face sunlight, and the exposure during outdoor activities like hiking, cycling, or strolling can be just as intense, if not more so, than during a traditional vacation. Sun damage, or photodamage, occurs whenever unprotected skin encounters the sun’s ultraviolet (UV) rays. Thus, regardless of the pandemic situation, exposed skin is perpetually at risk for sun damage,” noted Joshua Williams from Neutrogena, who oversees claims strategy for the J&J brand.
Williams further elaborated that consistent and purposeful application of sunscreen offers significant skin health advantages by effectively blocking both UVA and UVB rays from penetrating the skin’s deeper layers, thereby reducing the likelihood of developing skin cancer.
“In terms of beauty, a skincare regimen that incorporates consistent SPF coverage is essential for preserving a youthful appearance, as it diminishes the onset of wrinkles, fine lines, and hyperpigmentation caused by sun exposure,” he added.
Sunscreen manufacturers are continuously enhancing product aesthetics to cater to consumers seeking easy-to-apply solutions that deliver robust protection without any drawbacks, particularly the visible residue often associated with sunscreen use.
“Today’s consumers demand sunscreens that provide excellent protection without leaving behind any visible residue. Incorporating sunscreen into daily routines is one of the most effective strategies for maintaining a youthful appearance and safeguarding against the accelerated aging effects associated with sun exposure,” Williams stated.
Neutrogena’s Ultra Sheer product line has gained immense popularity among consumers, according to Williams, as it delivers powerful sun protection tailored for diverse preferences and occasions. The lightweight lotions offer a dry-to-the-touch feel, and convenient formulations like sticks and body mist sprays are ideal for outdoor activities. Recently, Neutrogena introduced a broad-spectrum SPF 55 face mist, representing a new addition to the brand’s offerings.
Sales of sun care products in mass markets have declined for the first time in several years, as reported by IRI data.
Williams highlighted that consumer feedback prompted the development of specialized formulas crafted for facial application, leading to the creation of an oil-free face mist that refreshes instantly with an invisible finish. “Our chemists leveraged our extensive experience in Helioplex Technology to maintain the same high Ultra Sheer standards for superior, clinically proven UVA/UVB protection in this innovative facial product,” said Frank Sun, R&D manager.
Encouraging all consumers to adopt daily sun protection practices remains a top priority for the dermatology community, although compliance is frequently hindered by products that do not cater to various skin tones.
“SPF is a non-negotiable component of skincare and overall skin health. It should be an integral part of everyone’s skincare routine,” asserted Christin Powell, co-founder and CEO of Kinship, a clean beauty brand.
For Powell, creating an exceptional facial SPF product necessitates addressing multiple challenges.
“We recognized several critical issues within the SPF market. Firstly, few products deliver genuine skincare benefits; secondly, many lack safe, clean ingredients that are enjoyable to use; thirdly, most mineral sunscreens leave a significant white cast on darker skin tones; and fourthly, many sunscreens can exacerbate acne, discouraging use and increasing the risk of sun damage or, worse, potential skin cancer. This scenario is less than ideal,” she expressed.
Kinship has successfully tackled these challenges with its Self Reflect product, a mineral-based, moisturizing skincare solution boasting SPF 32. This product is designed for blemish-prone skin, promotes balance within the skin microbiome, and is sheer, reef-safe, non-greasy, leaving skin with a radiant finish.
“Aesthetics play an incredibly vital role because consumers often harbor negative perceptions of sunscreens—they are frequently viewed as greasy, thick, and difficult to wash off, with most mineral formulations leaving an unappealing ghostly appearance. Our goal was to create a product that would provide a ‘wow’ factor in terms of aesthetics,” Powell told Happi.
According to Powell, the unique blend of natural minerals and turmeric gives the product its peach-pearl color, allowing it to blend seamlessly into various skin tones.
Additionally, the formulation incorporates Kinbiome, a proprietary plant-based pre-probiotic designed to balance the skin’s microbiome and address blemish-prone conditions. It also includes red raspberry seed oil, which is rich in omega fatty acids, delivering excellent moisturizing and anti-inflammatory benefits.
“Kinship Self Reflect SPF has revolutionized the sunscreen category. Consumers have quickly embraced this innovative formula, which effectively addresses many of the pain points associated with SPF products,” noted Powell, who emphasized that her brand also offers education on proper sunscreen application techniques, particularly for darker skin tones, to achieve optimal blending without leaving a white cast.
This product has garnered a loyal following and has been featured on numerous best facial SPF lists in the past year. In fact, Powell mentioned that Kinship had to “rapidly adapt our production to meet the surging demand.” To accommodate this, Kinship introduced a value-sized package that is double the size of the original offering in January.
“There is significant room for innovation within the SPF market, and we eagerly welcome this challenge,” Powell stated.
Other brands are similarly enhancing SPF formulations for improved aesthetics across a spectrum of skin tones.
AbsoluteJOI, founded by Dr. Anne Beal, MD, has recently unveiled a Daily Hydrating Moisturizing Cream featuring SPF 40 Mineral Sunscreen. This product is specifically designed for everyday use among African American women, combining makeup, moisturizer, and SPF into a single nourishing solution that calms existing acne while providing protection against future breakouts. Besides shielding the skin from UV radiation, it also blocks up to 59% of HEV blue light, leaving no white cast, according to the brand.
Newly launched by Dr. Dennis Gross Skincare is an All-Physical SPF Lightweight Wrinkle Defense SPF 30, now available on Sephora.com. This oil-free sunscreen is crafted with non-nano zinc oxide, lingonberry, rich in vitamins C and E, and sea buckthorn, which absorbs high-energy blue light. It is designed to seamlessly blend into all skin tones without leaving a pasty residue and has undergone testing on Fitzpatrick skin types 1-7, showing no white cast.
Vichy has introduced a facial SPF product, Capital Soleil Tinted 100% Mineral SPF 60 Sunscreen, an ultra-lightweight lotion formulated with 100% mineral sunscreen UV filters, offering a sheer tint for a healthy glow. This product is water-resistant for up to 80 minutes, fragrance-free, and suitable for all skin types, including sensitive skin, according to the brand.
Aligning with the dermatological community’s goals, all stakeholders are focused on encouraging consumers to integrate daily sun protection into their routines.
“We believe that sunscreen application should be a daily habit throughout the year, as SPF is crucial for maintaining the long-term health of your skin—regardless of whether you’re headed to the beach or simply taking a stroll in your neighborhood,” stated Christina Saikus, senior brand manager at Banana Boat. “Our diverse range of products caters to the unique needs and preferences of our consumers, enabling them to find the perfect fit for their daily regimen.”
The formulation team at Banana Boat has developed products addressing skin sensitivity issues. Their Sensitive Mineral Enriched C-Spray SPF 50 is a mineral-enriched option with the convenience of a continuous spray, while the Banana Boat Sensitive Lotion SPF 50, a 100% mineral lotion, carries the National Eczema Association Seal of Acceptance. Both formulations are hypoallergenic, naturally sourced with zinc, free of added oils or fragrances, and produced without parabens. According to Saikus, the lotion serves as an excellent choice for daily use within a morning skincare regimen, while the C-spray is ideal for endurance activities such as hiking and biking.
“Banana Boat’s primary mission is to protect families’ enjoyment of outdoor activities through effective sun protection, providing them with peace of mind to engage in more outdoor adventures. We understand that outdoor fun looked different for families this year, which is why we’ve refined our messaging across various platforms, focusing on activities that don’t require venturing far from home,” she elaborated.
Last summer, when families primarily spent time at home, Banana Boat collaborated with Dancing With the Stars’ Allison Holker to share backyard dance routines and obstacle courses through social media. This coming summer, the brand plans to introduce a new initiative centered around family fitness outdoors, according to Saikus.
In terms of family protection, Banana Boat has added several new SKUs this season. The Banana Boat Kid & Baby Mineral and Mineral Enriched products encompass a mineral-enriched C-spray with SPF 50 and a lotion with SPF 50. These offerings are reef-friendly, tear-free, and easy to apply.
Banana Boat has also designed products with aesthetics that simplify parents’ lives. For instance, the brand introduced Banana Boat Kids Mineral Foam, available in two variants—a green foam with an apple scent and a blue foam with a berry scent. These colorful foams not only make the application process fun for children but also provide parents with a visible application indicator before drying clear on the skin.
It presents “a modern solution to the enduring parenting challenge of applying sunscreen to fussy kids, transforming it into an interactive activity they’ll enjoy, while still delivering the same trusted sun protection we’ve provided since our inception,” Saikus explained.
Hawaiian Tropic also encourages consumers to consider sun protection year-round.
“We view sun care as a fundamental component of your skincare routine throughout the year, and this messaging is consistent with our range of Hawaiian Tropic products and formulations. Our product lineup includes skincare essentials that ensure you can obtain your daily SPF, whether you’re preparing for an outdoor hike, heading to the beach for surfing, or getting ready in the morning for remote work,” stated Heather Choe, brand manager.
Hawaiian Tropic showcases an extensive array of products suitable for beach, pool, hiking, biking, and various outdoor activities, in addition to introducing new formulations such as dry mist and milk, which Choe noted are perfect for morning skincare routines and ideal for winter SPF application, respectively.
The Hawaiian Tropic Silk Hydration Weightless Dry Mist SPF 15 and 30 is formulated with a blend of coconut, argan, grapeseed, and olive oils. This lightweight dry oil mist offers ultra-hydration while remaining dry to the touch, leaving skin with an attractive, non-greasy glow. It is also reef-friendly and PETA-certified cruelty-free. Additionally, Hawaiian Tropic’s Mineral Skin Nourishing Milk with SPF 30 and 50, along with the Mineral Skin Nourishing Tinted Facial Milk SPF 30, are enriched with Hawaiian botanicals like coconut and kukui nut for lightweight, yet deeply nourishing moisturization.
For those desiring a sun-kissed glow without direct sun exposure, Hawaiian Tropic has introduced a sunless tanning collection featuring light/medium and dark self-tanning foams, express tan foam, and gradual tan lotion. Similar to its SPF products, the sunless tanning SKUs are infused with vitamin E, providing hydration and moisture to the skin while delivering a natural-looking glow accompanied by a tropical scent. They are also transfer-resistant and free of parabens, as stated by Hawaiian Tropic.
Bali Body is making strides in the sunless tanning market with the launch of its first express aerated foam product. The new 1 Hour Express Self Tan is now the fastest developing self-tanner available within the brand’s popular range, providing a dark and natural-looking tan through a formula enriched with nourishing oils and vitamin E.
Australian Gold has unveiled its latest innovation: a plant-based SPF lotion. Formulated with the highest concentration of aloe vera, this lotion aids in soothing, softening, and moisturizing the skin, while the fatty acids present in coconut oil offer intense hydration suitable for sensitive skin. When used as directed, this product has demonstrated the capability to reduce the risk of premature skin aging, while effectively shielding against UVA and UVB rays, as well as blue light and infrared light, according to the company. Available options include SPF 30, 50, and 70 lotions, along with an SPF 50 specifically designed for facial use.
In Hawaii, legislation banning the sale of sunscreens containing oxybenzone and octinoxate is now in effect, and brands wishing to sell their products locally must comply with these reef-safe regulations.
This has been a long-standing goal for Raw Elements USA, an independent brand dedicated to offering products that are safe for both consumers and the environment. All Raw Elements sunscreens are NPA Certified Natural, non-GMO, cruelty-free, and reef-friendly, relying solely on non-nano zinc oxide as the active ingredient.
Earlier this year, in collaboration with Target and The Kohala Center, touch-free sunscreen dispensers filled with Raw Elements sunscreen were installed at Kahalu’u Beach Park in Kona, Hawaii, to support local coral revitalization efforts. These dispensers are also available in Rhode Island, the Waikiki Aquarium, and aboard marine biologist Ocean Ramsey’s One Ocean Dive & Conservation boats.
For 2021, Raw Elements USA partnered with Ramsey to launch the new Ocean Ramsey/World Reef Day Signature SPF 30, a compostable stick that embodies a zero-waste product philosophy. Sales from this product will finance marine conservation initiatives undertaken by Save The Sea Turtles International through Raw Elements’ commitment to 1% For The Planet.
Raw Elements is also experiencing increased visibility on store shelves, bolstered by major retailers eager to expand their offerings of sunscreens compliant with regulations and aligned with consumer expectations. The brand has launched its products in Target stores in Hawaii and Florida, where the retailer is focused on supporting reef safety legislation. Additionally, REI has expanded the availability of Raw Elements SPF products across all its locations.
“Retailers are making significant investments in clean, safe sunscreens that are beneficial for both humans and the environment,” Guadagno shared with Happi.
Furthermore, the company is undertaking substantial changes in its product packaging this year. Raw Elements will introduce aluminum tubes for its Tinted Face Moisturizer SPF 30 & Daily Moisturizer SPF 30, while its Face+Body SPF 30 will debut in 100% recyclable Bio Plastic, using green polyethylene that has a favorable carbon footprint. Additionally, all SPF Lip and SPF Face Sticks will transition to 100% PCR polypropylene. Lastly, the packaging for its Face+Body & Tinted Face SPF 30 tins will now feature direct print labels, eliminating the use of BOP material labels and achieving true zero-waste packaging.
“We adopt a holistic approach to safeguarding both humans and the environment, considering everything from our ingredients to our finished products, including packaging and delivery systems. As a pioneering indie brand in the sun care sector, it is our responsibility to provide effective product solutions while also fostering educational initiatives that drive positive change in industry and consumer practices,” stated Guadagno.
Edgewell’s leading brands are also stepping up to provide more reef-safe options.
“Hawaiian Tropic is deeply rooted in our Hawaiian values—Care (Malama), Responsibility (Kuleana), Harmony (Lokahi), and Community (‘Ohana). This philosophy means that people, animals, and our planet are at the core of everything we do. Our reef-friendly and cruelty-free expanded line provides endless options for consumers to enjoy their best lives under the sun while caring for our planet and the surrounding environment,” Choe explained.
According to Saikus, Banana Boat has aimed for a fully reef-friendly portfolio for several years, and now nearly 100% of its products will adhere to these standards (excluding the brand’s SPF 100 products).
“These developments empower our customers to relish their time in the sun while remaining mindful of their love and care for the earth,” Saikus added.
Rapidly growing sun care brand Sun Bum has introduced two facial sunscreen products that are also reef-safe. The Sun Bum SPF 45 Sunscreen Face Mist was designed to serve as a daily facial SPF, as per Ashley Aron, vice president of marketing. It provides sheer, lightweight protection for everyday use, featuring active ingredients such as avobenzone, homosalate, octisalate, and octocrylene, along with witch hazel to soothe sensitive skin. Sun Bum’s new Moisturizing Face SPF 70 is a lightweight lotion specifically formulated to offer daily broad-spectrum protection while keeping the skin balanced and hydrated with vitamin E. This product absorbs easily, ensuring a super sheer look and feel without any greasy residue, and remains water-resistant for up to 80 minutes. A new Sun Bum hand cream with SPF 15 is also available, touted as an ultra-hydrating, non-greasy formulation made with a 100% natural sugar-based complex to keep hands moisturized for 24 hours.
Recent statistics reveal a growing consumer preference for the Sun Bum range, which was established in 2010 and acquired by SC Johnson in 2019. In a sluggish market last year, Sun Bum’s sales surged by an impressive 56.2%, according to IRI data (see chart).
“As we all know, small and local businesses faced unprecedented challenges due to the global pandemic. We were no exception. Fortunately, we were able to identify new strategies to support our retailers, engage our community, and encourage people to stay protected whenever they ventured outdoors,” Aron reflected.
As spring approaches in North America, sun care manufacturers are optimistic that their latest product offerings will entice consumers, who have been cooped up, to apply sunscreen and safely bask in the much-needed sunshine.
“Everyone requires a dose of vitamin D. However, we also need to safeguard ourselves against the sun’s dangers every day,” Aron emphasized. “Our inspiration for 2021 innovation lies in introducing new formats that better facilitate and reinforce daily SPF protection. We also encourage our community: if you plan to stay outdoors for more than 10 minutes, please ensure you apply sunscreen—regardless of the brand, just make sure to use it.”
Efforts to simplify the integration of sun protection into daily routines will not only enhance overall skin health but will also benefit manufacturers if consumers come to view sun protection as an all-season necessity.
A list of newly available sun care ingredients from industry suppliers follows below.
Below are new ingredients for use in sun care products available from industry suppliers. For more information on the materials mentioned, contact each company directly.
Florham Park, NJ
(800) 962-7831
[email protected]
www.carecreations.basf.us
Z-COTE HP1 X
INCI: Zinc oxide, triethoxycaprylylsilane
Application: Sunscreen lotion, stick, spray
Percent Usage: Up to 25% active amount
Comments: Z-Cote HP1 X is a highly effective mineral UV filter that offers reduced whitening on the skin in sun care formulations. This nano powder can be incorporated into a variety of formulation applications, including lotions, sticks, and sprays.
Indianapolis, IN
(267) 889-9861
[email protected]
https://penreco.com/
VERSASTIQUE Clear ML 5T
INCI: C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate, Butyl Stearate, Isostearyl Alcohol, Hydrogenated Styrene/Butadiene
Copolymer, Dibutyl Lauroyl Glutamide, Dibutyl Ethylhexanoyl Glutamide, Pentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-t-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate
Percent Usage: Up to 80%+
Application: Sunblock/sunscreen, lip protection, After-sun cooling sticks
Comments: VERSASTIQUE CLEAR ML 5T is a crystal-clear solid stick form of C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate, providing a light, non-greasy skin feel for clear suncare stick applications. It is a multifunctional material that simplifies the creation of solid sticks while stabilizing and protecting active ingredients. Studies demonstrate the water-resistant properties of the Versastique Clear series enable higher SPF post-immersion compared to static or pre-immersion values, making it an attractive base for clear, high-performance sunscreen sticks.
VERSASTIQUE Low Melt SQ 5T
INCI: Squalane, Butyl Stearate, Isostearyl Alcohol, Hydrogenated Styrene/Butadiene
Copolymer, Dibutyl Ethylhexanoyl Glutamide, Dibutyl Lauroyl Glutamide, Pentaerythrityl Tetra-di-t-butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate
Sienna Blake is a licensed aesthetic consultant and beauty writer specializing in cosmetic surgery advancements and non-invasive treatments. With a background in dermatology and over eight years of industry experience, Sienna is passionate about helping people achieve confidence through informed beauty decisions. She holds a Bachelor's degree in Health Sciences and regularly collaborates with top plastic surgeons to stay at the forefront of aesthetic innovations. Outside of her work, Sienna enjoys traveling, skincare research, and practicing Pilates.
