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Sunscreen Gets A Makeover

Latest products offer chic, natural UV protection

By James Limbach
ConsumerAffairs.com

July 22, 2009

• Sunscreen Gets A Makeover • Sunscreen Standards Lacking; Many Ineffective, Group Says • Fruits & Vegetables Protect Against Sunburn • Some Lip Balms May Attract UV Rays • FDA Proposes New Sunscreen Rules • Study: Excessive Lifestyles Fueling Cancer Rate • Skin Cancer Rates On The Rise • Vitamin D Reduces Cancer Risk, Study Finds • Tanning May Be Addictive, Studies Warn • Marathon Runners May Face Higher Risk of Skin Cancer • Suntans Without the Sun • Not All Sunscreens Are Equal • Skin Cancer More Deadly in Darker-Skinned People • Tanning Ads Commonly Seen in High School Newspapers • Sunscreen Makers Lie, Suits Charge • Study Warns Tanning May Be Addictive

Say good-by to the days of slathering on thick, white, impossible-to-spread sunscreen.

Mintel Beauty Innovation, which tracks new beauty and personal care launches globally, reports the newest sun-blocking products are much trendier and easier to apply than their predecessors.

"Let's face it: no one loved the texture and grease of older sunscreens, but people used them because they needed to protect their skin from the sun's harmful rays," said Taya Tomasello, senior beauty analyst for Mintel. "The latest innovative sunscreens offer sun protection in more appealing, easier-to-use ways."

Among the changes coming to a drug store shelf near you:

• Spray-on sunscreen. Spray sunscreen hit the market with a splash, promising easier, faster application with equally effective sun protection. Mintel Beauty Innovation reports that nearly one in five sunscreen products launched in the past year came in an aerosol can.

• Powdered suncare. The next wave of sun protection could come in powder form. Featuring well-established sun-blockers like titanium dioxide and zinc oxide, new powdered sunscreens are trendy, convenient and lightweight on the skin. This format is currently seen from just a few brands like Bare Escentuals and Peter Thomas Roth.

• More natural ingredients. In addition to easier application, many new sunscreens go au natural. New sun protection products claiming "botanical" or "herbal" have steadily increased in prevalence since 2005; so far in 2009, these claims have appeared on nearly one in three launches tracked by Mintel Beauty Innovation. John Masters Organics even features a Natural Mineral Sunscreen containing ECOCERT- and USDA-certified organic ingredients.

• Skincare-inspired sunblock. Many people use skincare products with UV protection, so sunscreens now offer skincare-like benefits. In a November 2008 Mintel survey about facial skincare, 35 percent of respondents said their usual products contain sunscreen or UVB/UVA protection. Claims such as "moisturizing," "oil free" and "anti-aging" increasingly appear on new sunscreen products. For example, Niadyne says its 100% Mineral Sunscreen can improve skin tone, while Hissyfit's Body Double Moisturizing Sunscreen claims anti-aging benefits.

"Sunscreen faces tough competition from skincare and make-up enhanced with UV protection," said Tomasello. "In the past 12 months, one in 10 new cosmetic and skincare launches contained sun-blocking ingredients. Especially now as people try to save on personal care, products that offer multiple benefits have an upper hand. Manufacturers need to show that their sunscreens provide the best UV protection, while being fun to use, convenient and good for the skin."

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