Sunscreen Market – Global Industry Size, Share, Trends, Opportunity and Forecast, By Form (Cream & Lotion, Spray, Gel, Sticks), By SPF Range (0-15, 15-30, 30-50, 50+), By Distribution Channel (Retail Stores, Pharmacy & Drug Stores, Online), By Region & Competition, 2021-2031F

Forecast Period	2027-2031
Market Size (2025)	USD 14.85 Billion
CAGR (2026-2031)	5.18%
Fastest Growing Segment	Gel
Largest Market	North America
Market Size (2031)	USD 20.11 Billion

Market Overview

The Global Sunscreen Market will grow from USD 14.85 Billion in 2025 to USD 20.11 Billion by 2031 at a 5.18% CAGR. Sunscreen is a topical photoprotective product, formulated as a lotion, spray, or gel, which functions by absorbing or reflecting ultraviolet radiation to prevent sunburn and cellular DNA damage. The primary driver propelling the market is the escalating global incidence of skin malignancies, which necessitates consistent preventative skincare regimens among consumers. According to the American Academy of Dermatology, in 2025, an estimated 212,200 new cases of melanoma are projected to be diagnosed in the United States, a statistic that underscores the critical health imperative bolstering demand for broad-spectrum protection. Furthermore, expanding public health initiatives are successfully elevating awareness regarding the cumulative risks of UV exposure, thereby sustaining market momentum.

However, the industry faces a significant challenge regarding the increasingly stringent and fragmented regulatory landscape concerning ingredient safety and environmental impact. Manufacturers must navigate a complex compliance environment where specific chemical filters, such as oxybenzone, face legislative bans in certain jurisdictions due to marine toxicity concerns, while health authorities simultaneously demand rigorous safety data for existing active ingredients. This regulatory volatility compels companies to invest heavily in reformulation and testing, creating supply chain uncertainties and potentially impeding the rapid commercialization of compliant product lines.

Key Market Drivers

The escalating global prevalence of skin cancer and melanoma acts as the foremost catalyst for the market, transitioning sun protection from a seasonal commodity to a year-round healthcare necessity. This surge in incidence rates compels consumers to adopt rigorous preventative habits, significantly increasing the frequency of product purchase and application beyond traditional recreational use. According to the American Cancer Society, January 2025, in 'Cancer Facts & Figures 2025', the number of new invasive melanoma cases diagnosed annually in the United States increased by 42 percent over the past decade. Such alarming trends have prompted a paradigm shift where broad-spectrum SPF is increasingly viewed as a non-negotiable component of preventative health, directly benefiting established market leaders. For instance, according to Beiersdorf, February 2025, in the 'Annual Report 2024', the NIVEA business unit achieved an organic sales growth of 9.0 percent, reflecting this sustained consumer demand for reliable mass-market photoprotection.

Simultaneously, the integration of sun protection into daily skincare regimens represents a transformative driver, blurring the lines between dermatological health and cosmetic beauty. Consumers now prioritize multifunctional hybrid products that offer anti-aging benefits and photoaging prevention alongside standard UV defense, effectively reducing the step-count in their grooming routines. This "skinification" of sun care has spurred rapid growth in dermatological beauty segments, where efficacy meets cosmetic elegance. According to L'Oréal, February 2025, in the '2024 Annual Results', the Dermatological Beauty Division, which includes SPF-heavy brands like La Roche-Posay and CeraVe, recorded a like-for-like growth of 9.8 percent. This robust expansion underscores how the demand for scientifically backed, hybrid formulations is reshaping the competitive landscape and driving value beyond traditional beachwear applications.

Download Free Sample Report

Key Market Challenges

The increasingly stringent and fragmented regulatory landscape concerning ingredient safety and environmental impact presents a formidable barrier to the growth of the Global Sunscreen Market. Manufacturers are continuously compelled to navigate a complex web of inconsistent compliance standards, where specific chemical filters face legislative bans in certain jurisdictions due to ecological concerns while health authorities simultaneously mandate extensive safety data for existing ingredients. This regulatory volatility forces companies to divert significant financial capital and technical resources toward reformulation and defensive compliance measures rather than investing in product innovation. Consequently, these obligations delay the introduction of new product lines and disrupt established supply chains, thereby eroding profit margins and slowing overall market expansion.

The profound impact of these regulatory hurdles is quantifiable in the stagnation of active ingredient development. According to the Personal Care Products Council, in 2025, the regulatory environment's restrictive nature was underscored by the fact that the proposal for bemotrizinol represented the first new sunscreen active ingredient to be advanced for approval in the United States in more than 20 years. Such prolonged delays in regulatory pathways restrict the commercialization of compliant, advanced formulations, directly impeding the industry's ability to capitalize on the growing consumer demand for effective photoprotection.

Key Market Trends

The widespread adoption of Tinted and Inclusive Shade Ranges represents a pivotal shift in consumer expectations, addressing the historical limitation of mineral sunscreens: the persistent "white cast" that deterred usage across diverse skin tones. Manufacturers are increasingly prioritizing aesthetic inclusivity by formulating iron oxide-infused sunscreens that not only provide broad-spectrum defense but also function as complexion-correcting cosmetics. This convergence of pigment technology and photoprotection encourages daily compliance among demographics previously underserved by chalky, traditional zinc oxide formulas, effectively turning sun care into a visible beauty enhancement. According to Beiersdorf, February 2025, in the 'Annual Report 2024', the Derma business unit, which includes Eucerin and Aquaphor, reported an organic sales increase of 10.6 percent, a growth trajectory notably supported by the commercial success of pigment-integrated product lines like the Eucerin Tinted Age Defense.

Simultaneously, the market is witnessing a surge in Serum-Like and Invisible Textures, driven by the demand for sensory elegance in products designed for urban, daily wear. Consumers are rejecting heavy, occlusive lotions in favor of ultra-lightweight, fluid formulations that absorb instantly without leaving a greasy residue, facilitating seamless layering under makeup or over other skincare treatments. This trend toward "invisible" protection addresses a primary sensory barrier to usage, ensuring that high-SPF products can be integrated into morning routines without compromising skin breathability or comfort. According to L'Oréal, February 2025, in the '2024 Annual Results', the Consumer Products Division achieved a like-for-like growth of 5.4 percent, a performance bolstered by the democratization of advanced fluid technologies such as the Garnier Vitamin C Daily UV which combine high efficacy with an imperceptible finish.

Segmental Insights

The gel segment has emerged as the fastest-growing category within the global sunscreen market, driven primarily by consumer demand for lightweight and non-greasy formulations. This surge is largely attributed to the preference for products that absorb rapidly without leaving a white residue, particularly among individuals with oily or acne-prone skin. Furthermore, the rising popularity of gel-based sunscreens is supported by dermatological advocacy for non-comedogenic options that prevent pore blockage. As a result, major personal care brands are increasingly prioritizing gel textures to address the needs of consumers residing in humid regions who require comfortable, matte-finish protection.

Regional Insights

North America maintains a leading position in the global sunscreen market, driven by widespread consumer awareness regarding skin protection and the risks of melanoma. This dominance is reinforced by the presence of established manufacturers and a robust healthcare framework that emphasizes preventative care. Additionally, the United States Food and Drug Administration regulates these products as over-the-counter drugs, ensuring high safety standards that foster strong consumer confidence. Consequently, the combination of strict regulatory oversight and high product accessibility secures North America’s status as the primary revenue generator in the industry.

Recent Developments

• In October 2024, DSM-Firmenich achieved a significant regulatory milestone in the sun care industry by submitting the first-ever Over-the-Counter Monograph Order Request (OMOR) Tier 1 application to the United States Food and Drug Administration. This submission sought approval for a new high-performance sunscreen active ingredient known as bemotrizinol, branded commercially as PARSOL Shield. The application initiated a formal review process to determine if the ingredient could be classified as Generally Recognized as Safe and Effective (GRASE). If approved, this would mark the first new sunscreen active ingredient introduced to the United States market in more than two decades, addressing the region's need for modern, broad-spectrum UV filters.
• In August 2024, La Roche-Posay solidified its presence in the sun protection sector by renewing its collaboration as the official sunscreen partner of the US Open tennis tournament for the third consecutive year. Through this partnership, the brand aimed to elevate public awareness regarding sun safety by providing educational resources and complimentary sunscreen samples to thousands of attendees at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center. The initiative also included on-site access to board-certified dermatologists who offered expert guidance on skin cancer prevention. This continued alliance highlighted the company's commitment to integrating health education with sports sponsorship to drive consumer adoption of daily sun protection habits.
• In May 2024, L’Oréal Groupe unveiled a breakthrough research innovation relevant to sun care testing during the Viva Technology event in Paris. The company introduced a bio-printed skin model platform dubbed "Skin Technology," which mimics the complex biological structures of human skin, including its ability to tan and react to ultraviolet radiation. This pioneering combination of biology, mechanics, and electronics allows researchers to replicate various skin conditions and pigmentary responses more accurately than previous methods. The innovation is poised to enhance the development of future sunscreen formulations by providing a sophisticated, cruelty-free testing environment that ensures product safety and efficacy across diverse skin types.
• In March 2024, Beiersdorf AG executed a major product update within the Global Sunscreen Market by launching a reformulated version of its NIVEA Sun Protect & Moisture range across Europe. This initiative was part of the company's broader sustainability agenda and featured a new, more biodegradable filter system designed to minimize environmental impact on aquatic ecosystems. Concurrently, the company transitioned the product line's packaging to bottles made from 100% recycled plastic. This launch underscored the organization's strategic focus on balancing high-efficacy sun protection with reduced ecological footprints, catering to the growing consumer demand for environmentally responsible personal care products.

Key Market Players

• Beiersdorf AG
• Kao Corporation
• Louis Herbals
• Estée Lauder Inc
• JNTL Consumer Health (India) Private Limited
• Shiseido Co.,Ltd
• Revlon Consumer Products LLC
• Coty Inc
• Unilever PLC
• The Sunscreen Company

By Form	By SPF Range	By Distribution Channel	By Region
Cream & Lotion Spray Gel Sticks	0-15 15-30 30-50 50+	Retail Stores Pharmacy & Drug Stores Online	North America Europe Asia Pacific South America Middle East & Africa

Report Scope:

In this report, the Global Sunscreen Market has been segmented into the following categories, in addition to the industry trends which have also been detailed below:

• Sunscreen Market, By Form:

• Cream & Lotion
• Spray
• Gel
• Sticks

• Sunscreen Market, By SPF Range:

• 0-15
• 15-30
• 30-50
• 50+

• Sunscreen Market, By Distribution Channel:

• Retail Stores
• Pharmacy & Drug Stores
• Online

• Sunscreen Market, By Region:

• North America
• United States
• Canada
• Mexico
• Europe
• France
• United Kingdom
• Italy
• Germany
• Spain
• Asia Pacific
• China
• India
• Japan
• Australia
• South Korea
• South America
• Brazil
• Argentina
• Colombia
• Middle East & Africa
• South Africa
• Saudi Arabia
• UAE