The Beauty Spot

SPF is no longer a standalone category, and the brands paying attention are already rethinking where it fits in the wider routine. Aurelie Brunel, Product Innovation Manager at THG LABS, explores the under-served formats and consumer shifts set to shape the next wave of suncare innovation, drawn from insights in our Suncare 2026 Trend Report. 

Skincare actives are finding their way into sun protection, and it's more than a marketing trend. Kristal Goodman, Head of Product Innovation at THG LABS, unpacks the formulation science behind the shift, and what it means for the future of SPF, drawn from insights in our Suncare 2026 Trend Report.

Reapplication is one of suncare's biggest untapped opportunities  but only if the format makes people want to use it again. Roger Rowson, Account Head of R&D at THG LABS, explains why format and texture are becoming as important as protection itself, drawn from insights in our 2026 Suncare Trend Report

On 11th September 2025, at the BBIA BioFinance Summit in London, THG LABS joined Clean Food Group and Croda on stage to announce that Clean Oil™ 25 has achieved cosmetics regulatory approval across the UK, Europe and the United States.

This Summer, THG LABS are partnering Catalyst Science Discovery Centre to co-sponsor their Sun Protection Scientists Summer Workshops designed specifically for families and children to learn more about what the sun’s UV rays do to our skin, how sun protection products work  and why wearing sunscreen is essential, whatever the weather.

Continuing THG LABS commitment to Innovation with Purpose, we’re pleased to announce our collaboration with Carbonwave, the world’s leading developer of ultra-regenerative, plant-based, advanced biomaterials from seaweed. Hear more about our partnership which aims to enhance the environmental profile of our extensive skincare, haircare, suncare and body care formulation library while reducing the impact of ecologically harmful Sargassum seaweed.

SPF is no longer reserved for holidays and heatwaves. Driven by skinification, premiumisation and a growing focus on long-term skin resilience, UV defence is becoming a year-round beauty essential, creating significant new opportunities across skincare, make-up, haircare and specialist formats.

The category is moving quickly. Hybrid formats are flourishing. New territory is opening up in scalp care, lip care, dermocosmetics, longevity and previously underserved areas of the body

In the THG Labs Suncare 2026 Trend Report, our Product Innovation experts break down :

• The trends driving the next phase of category growth
• How sunification and skinification are reshaping NPD
• Emerging white space across skincare, make-up, haircare and specialist SPF
• The rise of premium, treatment-led and longevity-focused sun protection
• UK and global market insights and consumer behaviour
• Innovation opportunities across ingredients, formats, claims and positioning

Download the report to find out where your brand should focus next

Haircare is entering a new phase of premiumisation, defined by precision, performance and prevention. Consumers are more informed than ever, and as they demand outcome-driven products they want targeted solutions that work, with measurable lasting results they can see and sustain.

This report explores what’s driving that change. We look at how every day formats like shampoo are being repositioned at a premium level, why efficacy-led and clinically credible language is gaining traction and how science, behavioural data and consumer demand are collectively redefining how haircare is formulated, positioned and experienced.

Foundational hair and scalp health is becoming an increasingly important consideration, supporting more preventative and long-term approaches to care. Ritual and repeat use are also becoming key markers of success, reinforcing the need for formulations that perform consistently while delivering a rewarding user experience.

Drawing on insight from our Product Innovation and Data teams, we’ve translated these trends into practical direction for brands that sets out where the real opportunities are and how to go after them.

Dermocosmetics continues to redefine the boundaries between clinical credibility and consumer skincare, driven by growing demand for science-led, results-focused products that prioritise skin health. We're seeing the category influence mainstream skincare, bodycare and haircare, as brands look to balance high-performance efficacy, tolerability and sensorial appeal. Our Product Innovation Team explore the forces shaping the dermocosmetic landscape, from ingredient sophistication and regulatory considerations to evolving consumer expectations around performance, trust and transparency. Drawing on market insight and formulation expertise, it provides practical perspective on how dermocosmetic thinking is translating into real-world product development opportunities.

This presentation explores the perceived innovation gap between haircare and skincare, examining why haircare has historically lagged in clinical validation and scientific storytelling despite strong market growth and rising consumer expectations.

Originally presented by Dr. Catherine Leray, Account Head of R&D at THG LABS, during the Haircare Gap webinar hosted by Cosmetics Cluster UK, the deck draws on formulation science, hair biology and practical development experience to unpack the structural challenges limiting innovation.