Sunless tanning product sales up 10% in 2015

Prestige sunless tanning sales hit £3.5million in the first half of the year, growing 9.2% on the same period in 2014, according to the recent figures from market analysts NPD Group.

NPD analysts attribute the success of the sector to innovative launches, such as St Tropez’s In Shower Gradual Tan, and growth from different types of self-tan product such as oils, which have increased in sales by 2000% in the first half of 2015 compared to the first half of 2014.

June Jensen, the company’s director for UK beauty, said, “Self-tanning continues to remain a vital component of the prestige skincare market. Sunless tanning products… now come in a range of formulations to suit individual needs.”

She continued, “The growth in self-tanning oils demonstrates the customer desire for new innovations in this competitive sector. In addition to the new product launches this year, people are also demanding new products that give the most natural glow. Oils are not only easy to use but give a nice, natural glow to the skin.”

Conversely, the research showed the more traditional self-tan products, lotions and mousses, saw a decline in sales of 16% year on year for the same period. Lotions still account for the biggest segment in the market however, with a 23% share.

The whole prestige sun skincare market, which includes SPF products as well as sunless tanning, was up 4.6% in the first six months of the year on the same period in 2014, hitting sales of £7m.