India’s sunburn turns sunscreen into a market hit
India's increasingly hot and unpredictable weather has created a surge in demand for sunscreen, transforming it from a niche beauty product to a mainstream necessity. According to a Worldpanel by Numerator report, the number of households purchasing sunscreen has more than tripled in four years, reaching 14.3 million households by June 2026, compared to 4.2 million just two years prior. This represents a compound annual growth rate of 36%, catapulting the category into the mainstream.
Manoj Menon, director of commercial in South Asia at Worldpanel by Numerator, attributes the growth to greater awareness of sun exposure, climate change, wider availability, more affordable pricing, and sun protection's expanding role in daily skincare and anti-ageing regimens. Younger consumers are incorporating sunscreen into their daily routines, rather than viewing it as a seasonal product, while rural areas are also experiencing significant growth, with penetration tripling in the same period.
Leading FMCG companies are focusing on affordability, while beauty brands are positioning sunscreen as an essential part of daily skincare routines, offering products tailored to various skin types and concerns. Companies like Hindustan Unilever, Honasa Consumer, and Mamaearth are capitalizing on this trend, with HUL introducing affordable options like a Rs 10 SPF 50 Lakme sunscreen and new-age brands like Dot & Key, Deconstruct, and Re'equil building significant portions of their portfolios around sunscreen.
Despite this growth, sunscreen still accounts for only a small fraction of the Indian skincare market, at just over 6%, compared to nearly 11% in the US and South Korea. Premium beauty companies like Shiseido and L’Oreal are targeting consumers' growing awareness of sunscreen formulations to boost sales. As the market becomes more competitive, scrutiny over sunscreen claims is intensifying, with recent legal disputes highlighting the importance of accurate SPF efficacy and protection levels.
Written by urgent.news from The Economic Times's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
