the sun cream market | France

1.1 Market definition and presentation

Sunscreen is often a generic term for sun care products as a whole. The latter are all products that allow a good maintenance of the skin against the danger of the sun's rays. Among them, sun creams are defined by the National Agency for the Safety of Medicines and Health Products ( ANSM ) as "a cosmetic product intended to be applied to the skin to protect against ultraviolet (UV) radiation by absorbing or reflecting such radiation". It also includes after-sun products and self-tanning products

Two categories of UV rays are distinguished, UVA and UVB. UVA rays are responsible for premature aging of the skin and for diseases such as skin cancer. UVB is the cause of sunburn. It is therefore essential to protect yourself against these two types of solar radiation. It is the filters contained in sun creams that provide protection for the epidermis.

Suncare products can be found in many forms in the market:

• creams
• gels ;
• oils;
• aerosols.

Sunscreens can be segmented as follows:

• products based on chemical filters, which allow the absorption of UV rays;
• products with mineral filters, which reflect UV rays.

The sun cream market, whether global, European or national, is a dynamic market whose growth should be sustainable. Indeed, the growing awareness of the risks linked to (over)exposure to the sun is general and ensures a dynamic demand. It is estimated, for example, that in Europe, between 2020 and 2030, the turnover of sun care products should grow by 100%.

The baby and children's sun cream segment is growing strongly and the brands rely on efficient research and development departments to be innovative and in tune with their customers' needs