Canada's economic landscape is evolving, with inflation now aligning with the Bank of Canada's 2.4% CPI target. However, a 6.5% unemployment rate highlights ongoing strain on household budgets, reflecting persistent…
Canada
Suncare
simple
Canada Suncare and Skin Protection Market Report 2026
"Consumers seek products that combine UV protection with skincare benefits, while also addressing their sensory preferences and individual needs."
Meghan Ross, Senior Research Analyst - Home & Beauty
Canada’s economic landscape is evolving, with inflation now aligning with the Bank of Canada’s 2.4% CPI target. However, a 6.5% unemployment rate highlights ongoing strain on household budgets, reflecting persistent financial pressures. Yet, demand for skin protection products remains strong, with 72% of consumers using such products despite cost-of-living concerns. This reflects widespread acknowledgement of the category’s relevance. As financial caution takes hold, consumers opt for multifunctional and hybrid SPF formats that fold sun protection into everyday personal care.
The most significant market opportunity lies in year-round, multi-benefit personal care with integrated SPF protection designed for streamlined consumer routines. Meanwhile, the category’s greatest threat is a combination of affordability challenges and strict regulatory controls, which has prompted some consumers to import sunscreens lacking Canadian approval. Health Canada’s deliberate pace in approving new UV filters has slowed innovation, curbing both product variety and category engagement.
This report looks at the following areas:
Market factors impacting the Canadian suncare and skin protection category
Product usage trends
Product format preferences
Usage frequency
Key purchase drivers for suncare products
Category motivations and barriers
Market Definitions
For the purposes of this Report, Mintel has used the following definitions:
Sunscreen
Sunless tanners
Suntan lotions and oils (including those for indoor tanning beds)
Beauty and personal care products that contain skin protection claims (eg SPF, anti-pollution, etc.)
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EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
What you need to know
Outlook for suncare and skin protection
Opportunities
Position year-round SPF as wellness behaviour
Leverage interest in cosmetic procedures
Make SPF a value-first daily staple
THE MARKET
Economic snapshot
Canadian economic outlook
Affordability limits skin protection usage
Graph 1: suncare and skin protection product usage, by household income, 2025
Economic and political concerns shape travel patterns
Increase in domestic travel shifts perceptions of sun protection needs
Graph 2: Canadian residents returning from travel to the United States by automobile, 2024-25
Health Canada regulations limit availability of in-demand ingredients
THE CONSUMER
Product usage
Protective personal care products are on the rise
Graph 3: suncare and skin protection formats used (net), 2025 vs 2026
Women show greater category involvement
Graph 4: suncare and skin protection formats used, men vs women, 2025
Increase repertoire with adjacent support products
Product usage varies by racial background
Graph 5: suncare and skin protection formats used, by racial background, 2025
Addressing BIPOC-specific skin concerns
Product usage frequency
Daily routines are being streamlined
Graph 6: daily usage of skin protection and suncare products, 2025 vs 2026
Personal care products with protection are used with more consistency
Graph 7: usage frequency of suncare and skin protection products, among users, 2025
Younger consumers are more consistent with year-round SPF protection
Graph 8: year-round usage of specific sun and skin protection product, among users of specific products, by age, 2025
Give consumers a reason to use your product year-round…
…including season-specific protections
Barriers to usage
Budget-friendly brands can win over curious young consumers…
…and can find them easily online
Graph 9: “Social media (eg Instagram, TikTok) helps me find new brands/products to try” (% agree), by age, 2025
Motivations for using sun and skin protection
Women have a wider range of sun protection motivations
Graph 10: motivations for using skin protection products, men vs women, 2025
Linking beauty and health benefits will motivate younger shoppers
Graph 11: motivations for using skin protection products (select), by age, 2025
Move beyond ‘no white cast’ messaging to connect with BIPOC shoppers
Format interest and usage
Less conventional formats appeal more strongly to younger shoppers
Graph 12: any plans to use sun protection format in the next 12 months, by age, 2025
Addressing sensory-related barriers will appeal to users and non-users alike
Addressing texture barriers head-on
Convenient, on-the-go formats make reapplication easier
Sunscreen purchase factors
Prioritize texture and protection to appeal to female shoppers
Graph 13: important purchase factors when shopping for skin protection products (any top 3 mention); (select), men vs women, 2025
SPF levels are especially important to older shoppers
Graph 14: important purchase factors (any top 3 mention) when shopping for skin protection products (select), by age, 2025
PRODUCT, INNOVATION AND MARKETING
Personalization is a huge draw for younger women
Graph 15: ‘I wish there were more sun protection product options made specifically for my skin type (eg oily, sensitive)’, by age x gender, 2025
Suncare goes beyond protection
Expanding into fragrance brings new benefits to the suncare category
Skincare ingredients become commonplace
Post-exposure products do more than soothe
Positioning sun protection as a wellness tool supports consistent usage
Suncare as a self-care non-negotiable
A focus on formulations will help reassure skeptical shoppers
Formulation-focused innovations can build value
Support cosmetic procedures with added protection for post-treatment
Help ‘Sephora kids’ become sun care kids
And now for something completely different
APPENDIX
Market definition
The consumer
Consumer research questions
Consumer research methodology – Canada
Canada – generation groups
Abbreviations
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