From The Economic Times · Aanya Thakur · · 1m 50s
India's sunscreen market triples in four years
Hotter weather and growing awareness are turning sun protection from a niche product into an everyday staple across Indian households.
In brief
Hotter weather and growing awareness are turning sun protection from a niche product into an everyday staple across Indian households. Sunscreen adoption in India has exploded from 4.2 million to 14.3 million households in four years, driven by climate change, affordability, and shifting consumer habits toward daily…
Sunscreen use triples in four years
India's sunscreen-buying households jumped from 4.2 million in June 2022 to 14.3 million by June 2026, a 36% compound annual growth rate driven by hotter weather and greater sun safety awareness.
“the number of households buying it more than tripling in four years to 14.3 million”
Daily skincare, not seasonal product
Younger consumers now use sunscreen year-round as part of their daily routine rather than just in summer, marking a fundamental shift in how Indians approach sun protection.
“Younger consumers are also incorporating sun protection into daily skincare routines, rather than treating it as a seasonal product”
Rural growth catching up to cities
Rural sunscreen penetration tripled to 2.4% while urban areas reached 7.1%, showing the category is spreading beyond metros with significant room for expansion in smaller markets.
“rural growth is significant and indicates that sun care is no longer an exclusively metropolitan category”
Companies compete across price points
Hindustan Unilever offers sunscreen from Rs 10 to premium tiers, while digital brands like Honasa and Mamaearth have made sun protection a core category with products crossing 100 crore rupees in annual revenue.
“There are 200 million women stepping out to work. As they do that, this country is becoming hotter, so you can imagine the need for a basic sunscreen is very high”
Premium brands see untapped potential
Shiseido and L'Oreal view India as an inflection point where consumers are becoming more demanding about sun care formulations, with the prestige segment still largely underserved.
“an inflection point, where consumers are building that awareness, and having a more demanding attitude to sun care”
Sunscreen still lags global markets
Sunscreen accounts for just over 6% of India's skincare market compared to 11% in the US and South Korea, indicating substantial growth potential as awareness spreads.
“Sunscreen accounts for just over 6% of the Indian skincare market, compared with close to 11% in the US and South Korea”
Legal disputes sharpen SPF standards
A 2025 dispute between Hindustan Unilever and Honasa over sunscreen efficacy claims brought SPF testing and protection levels into sharper focus, raising industry standards.
“In 2025, HUL and Honasa were involved in a legal dispute over a Lakme advertisement that questioned the efficacy of SPF 50 sunscreens”
What to remember
Sunscreen adoption in India has exploded from 4.2 million to 14.3 million households in four years, driven by climate change, affordability, and shifting consumer habits toward daily skincare.
