The sun cream market - France

The global sunscreen market, valued at around $7 billion in 2023, is on an upward trajectory with an expected compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 5.4% between 2021-2031, reaching a forecast $10.64 billion.

Nevertheless, the French sunscreen market has shown resilience; after a drop in sales from 117.26 million euros to 106.12 million euros in 2020, it has been estimated at 419.52 million euros in 2021. While sales of suncare products in French pharmacies rose by 14% in the first quarter and by 30% in June 2023 compared with the previous year, sales in supermarkets fell by 8% over the same period. The French market has also seen a growth in ecological awareness, with 20% of consumers willing to switch brands when they learn that their sunscreen has a non-environmentally-friendly composition.

In France, pharmacies and parapharmacies dominate the market, accounting for over half of sales by 2022, with significant growth in online sales, which account for 12% of the market. The production process for sunscreens is intensive, often taking up to 10 years to bring a new product to market, with extensive testing to ensure efficacy and safety.

European regulations, governed by EC regulation n°1223/2009, ensure strict compliance with product composition and sunscreen labeling, with future considerations focusing on the environmental impact of certain UV filters.

The main players in the French sunscreen market are Avène, Biafine, La Roche-Posay and others, along with major companies such as L'Oréal, Pierre Fabre Laboratoires and Beiersdorf AG leading sales in supermarkets, and Avène and Biafine leading sales in pharmacies and parapharmacies.

Understanding changes in demand for sunscreens

In recent years, the sunscreen market in a given country has undergone a series of changes due to a variety of factors. Before the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic, the sunscreen market was on an upward trajectory. However, the pandemic led to a significant drop in sales of suncare products due to containment measures and the postponement of vacations. This indoor lifestyle, combined with the halt in tourism, led to a significant drop in demand for suncare products. a significant drop in demand for solar products, with sales in the United States falling by around 20% at the end of March 2020 compared with the previous year.

Despite this downturn, the market for suncare products has gradually recovered thanks to growing global awareness of the dangers of overexposure to the sun, such as premature skin ageing and melanoma. As a result, forecasts suggest a steady increase in the value of the global market, estimated at $7 billion by 2023, with expectations of further growth to between $10 and $11 billion by 2031.

In the domestic context, sales of solar products have also fluctuated. For example, supermarkets and hypermarkets have seen a significant reduction in the value of their sales, on the order of 9-10% by volume. However, the overall national market in 2021 was estimated at over $400 million, testifying to the industry's resilience despite the difficulties.

Pharmacies and parapharmacies have played a central role in this recovery, accounting for more than half of all sunscreen sales. Customer confidence in these channels, together with the return of foreign tourists, has contributed to a positive outlook for the future of suncare products, despite a decline in supermarket sales in the first quarter of 2023 compared with 2022.

Seasonality is a major factor influencing demand for sun protection products. The data show that interest peaks just before the summer vacation period, with 80% of annual sales made during July and August. Clearly, while overall sales trends show curves and troughs, the fundamental behavior surrounding purchases of sun protection products remains highly seasonal.

When we examine the different profiles of suncare users, a distinction emerges in their consumption habits. A significant percentage of the population, particularly women and people over 55, prioritize the use of sunscreen, which can be partly attributed to a heightened concern for the prevention of skin damage such as sun spots. In addition, younger segments of the population are inclined to use sun protection all year round, unlike older groups who tend to use it mainly during the warmer seasons.

The sunscreen market has also seen a diversification of product offerings.

Key entities : Pioneers of the suncare industry

The French suncare market is driven by an ecosystem of powerful players who have established their dominance through innovation, consumer confidence and brand authority. These entities are not simply manufacturers of sun protection products; they represent the cornerstones of a market that reaches millions of people with the promise of protection against the dangers of ultraviolet rays.

• L'Oréal Group: A cosmetics and beauty giant, L'Oréal not only owns popular suncare brands such as Vichy and La Roche-Posay, but also sets the standard in the suncare industry.it also sets industry benchmarks thanks to its research and development activities and its commitment to combining sun protection and skin care.
  
  
• Laboratoires Pierre Fabre: This company has carved out a niche for itself with brands such as Avène, renowned for meeting the needs of sensitive skin. Laboratoires Pierre Fabre combines dermatological expertise with pharmaceutical precision, ideal for consumers seeking specialized, hypoallergenic suncare solutions.
  
  
• Beiersdorf AG: This multinational company, best known for its Nivea brand, offers a range of suncare products that focus on convenience and affordability, promoting families' access to sun protection.
  
  
• Naos: Naos, which oversees prestigious brands such as Bioderma and Esthederm, focuses on skin biology and ecobiology, directing the conversation towards suncare products that respect the natural balance of the skin and the fragility of the environment.
  
  
• Avène: A spin-off from Laboratoires Pierre Fabre, Avène boasts a tradition of thermal spring water-based products, recognized for their soothing properties and popular with people with reactive or intolerant skin, requiring gentle yet effective sun protection.
  
  
• Biafine: Now part of Johnson & Johnson, Biafine is synonymous with skin-healing and regenerating properties. Rooted in after-sun care, Biafine provides remedies that address the consequences of sun exposure, with a focus on repair and recovery.

These pioneers don't just dominate the market, they constantly innovate to meet changing demands for safety, efficacy and respect for the environment. They are the safeguards that protect a society that is ever more vigilant about its health and well-being, recognizing the sun's gift of light while defending itself against its potential harms.

Inforamtion

• Number of pages : 30 pages
• Format : Digital and PDF versions
• Last update : 05/12/2023

Summary and extracts

List of charts

• World sunscreen market
• Sales of suncare products in supermarkets
• Sales of suncare products in pharmacies
• Number of foreign visitors
• Sunscreen selection criteria
• Use of sunscreen according to protection factor
• Most popular sunscreen brands
• Distribution of sun care products
• Positioning in the face of a product's non-environmentally-friendly composition
• Profile of French sun protection users
• Share of 45-54 year-olds in the population using sun protection only in spring and summer
• Population using sun protection all or most of the year
• Interest in "sun cream" research
• Have you ever used organic or natural sun protection products?
• Sales of sun creams by brand in parapharmacies and pharmacies
• Place of purchase of suncare products by distribution channel