Shining the light on sunscreen innovations and developments so far in 2012

11-Jun-2012 - Last updated on 12-Jun-2012 at 11:03 GMT

So far it’s been another big year for the sunscreen segment as consumer awareness on the benefits of sun protection increased, the use of products in Europe went up, prompting numerous formulations and developments from industry professionals in the area.

According to the latest research from Mintel Beauty & Personal Care, France remains the largest market for sun care products, with €401 million market value in 2011. Italy follows with €366m, the UK with €280m, Germany €191m, and Spain with €144m, although solid growth is expected in this competitive market.

“Greater media coverage and health education programmes are helping to improve consumer awareness regarding the dangers of too much sun,” says Nica Lewis, global Skin care analyst at Mintel.

Trends

Anti-oxidant claims appears to be a growing trend as 30 per cent of new sun care products launched in the Big 5 last year promoted antioxidant benefits, according to GNPD.

There has also been an increase in facial care launches with UV protection, with France alone boasting a 43 per cent jump in the number of new face creams with SPF between 2011 and 2010.

Natural, chemical free and organic themes also came to the forefront this year as natural brands like ‘True’ concentrates on zinc and titanium dioxide to help block UVA rays.

Innovation

At this year’s China Personal Care & Cosmetics Innovation Awards at the PCHi trade event, Givaudan’s Pongamia Extract and Mibelle’s SunActin ingredient scooped up awards in the UV Stabilizer/Sunscreener category.

Meanwhile scientists from a university and a skin care company in Japan discovered a gene responsible for sunburn which it hopes will assist in developing new technology to realize sunburn-resistant skin.

The discoveries were based around the gene responsible for 'ultraviolet (UV)-sensitive syndrome (UVSS),' which results in a strong sunburn response when exposed to sunlight, and have analysed its molecular function.

Meanwhile, ingredients supplier Croda developed a cost effective range of Solaveil ABC sunscreen filters featuring titanium dioxide in the range instead of Zinc oxide, due to its comparable level of UVA and UVB performance, thus making it more cost-effective for its consumers.

Packaging

Neopac dedicated its Polydose packaging for Swiss company Gerda Spillmann’s latest sun protection product last month. The packaging featured

physical and organic airless filters specialising in shielding the formulation against light and oxygen.

Sun care focus

As SkinCareIngredients2012 readies to open its doors tomorrow, sun care developments are high on the agenda for the educational programme.

Johnson & Johnson’s Nadine Harrison will take attendees through some of the key developments in this field and discuss current regulations and their effect on the industry.

Registration for the event is free and can be carried out at www.skincare-ingredients.com . Please be aware that registration for the event will close today at by 2pm CET before SkinCare Ingredients 2012 goes live, so please ensure that you complete the registration process. To register click here.