Skincare and suncare used to sit in separate categories, with separate rules. Not anymore. This crossover is one of the key trends explored in our  Suncare 2026 Trend Report., and in this instalment of the Q&A series, we sat down with Kristal Goodman, Head of Product Innovation at THG LABS, to talk about why peptides, antioxidants and barrier-supporting actives are finding their way into SPF, the formulation challenges that come with combining them alongside UV filters, and what the shift towards longevity means for where suncare goes next.

Want the full picture? Download the  Suncare 2026 Trend Report for the trends, data and innovation opportunities shaping the category's next phase.

Q1. We're seeing ingredients like peptides and antioxidants appearing in sunscreen. What's driving that shift? 

Consumer expectations of SPF have evolved significantly. Sun protection isn’t judged on protection factor alone anymore. The educated consumer expects SPF to deliver many of the same benefits they seek from the rest of their skincare routine, whether that's hydration, barrier support, radiance or healthy ageing benefits. 

As SPF becomes more integrated into daily beauty routines, brands need to create products that deliver both protection and broader skin health benefits. That is creating opportunities for ingredients traditionally associated with premium skincare to play a greater role within suncare formulations. 

Ingredients such as antioxidants, peptides, ceramides, ectoin and niacinamide are becoming more relevant because consumers increasingly understand sun exposure through a wider skin health lens: photoaging, collagen degradation, oxidative stress, pigmentation, inflammation and barrier resilience.  

SPF is primarily about shielding and protecting skin in the moment, but also about helping preserve skin quality over time. 

 Q2. Are these crossover ingredients simply a marketing trend, or do they serve a genuine formulation purpose? 

There is a marketing dimension, because consumers are highly responsive to familiar skincare ingredients and their benefits. But the most compelling examples are not just storytelling; they have a clear formulation and skin health rationale 

Antioxidants, for example, can help support the skin's natural defences against oxidative stress, while ingredients such as biomimetic lipids and ceramides contribute to barrier support and skin comfort. 

What's interesting is that the science and consumer narrative are more closely aligned than before. Consumers are becoming more aware of how environmental stress, including UV exposure, affects barrier health, collagen preservation and skin quality and are looking for more preventative approaches towards visible ageing. Ingredients that support those broader skin health objectives alongside UV protection are helping SPF to move beyond a defensive claim and be part of a wider skin resilience strategy. 

Q3. Which ingredient families are generating the most interest within suncare innovation today? 

We're seeing strong interest in ingredients associated with barrier function, skin resilience and preventative skincare.  

Vitamins such as niacinamide and panthenol, hydration magnets such as polyglutamic acid and hyaluronic acid, barrier heroes such as ceramides and postbiotics continue to attract attention, particularly as consumers place greater emphasis on skin health and comfort. As consumers increasingly report skin sensitivity, ingredients that help address reactivity such as CICA, beta-glucan or bisabolol are increasingly relevant. 

Alongside these, antioxidant systems, biotechnology-derived actives and peptides  associated with collagen preservation, even skin tones, regeneration and healthy ageing are becoming increasingly relevant. The focus is shifting towards creating formulas that help support the skin both during and beyond UV exposure. 

Q4. What are the formulation challenges when combining advanced skincare actives with UV filters? 

Stability is often one of the biggest considerations. UV filters can create a demanding formulation environment, and introducing additional actives requires careful balancing to ensure neither performance nor stability is compromised. 

The challenge is not simply incorporating an ingredient into a formula. It is ensuring that the UV filters, supporting actives, sensory profile and overall product performance all work together effectively throughout the product's shelf life and real-world use. 

Q5. How is longevity influencing the future of SPF development? 

Longevity is bringing a renewed focus to prevention. SPF already sits at the heart of many conversations around healthy skin ageing, making it one of the most credible products within the broader longevity movement. 

As a result, we're seeing growing interest in ingredients and formulation approaches that support resilience, protein preservation, skin quality and long-term skin health. Looking ahead, the opportunity lies in developing products that deliver robust UV protection while supporting consumers' wider preventative skincare goals. The future of SPF is unlikely to be defined by protection alone, but by its role within a broader skin health strategy. 

 For a deeper dive on this and other factors impacting the future direction of suncare, check out our latest report.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR 

Kristal Goodman  
Head of Product Innovation, THG LABS  

With over 25 years’ experience in the beauty industry and UK cosmetics manufacturing, Kristal Goodman has cultivated a unique blend of scientific expertise, creative vision, and strategic thinking to spearhead what are recognised as some of the beauty industry’s most much-loved, must-have products.   

In her role as the Head of Product Innovation, Kristal’s influence is best demonstrated in THG LABS dedication to pushing boundaries. She is the driving force behind the integration of upcycled ingredients, advanced biotechnology and other impactful emergent global beauty trends that ensure THG LABS remains at the cutting-edge of beauty innovation. Her knowledge of actives and their benefits is encyclopaedic which fuels her talent for translating ingredient ideas and science into concepts that give each product a formula and a story consumers fall in love with.

A member of THG LABS Eco Leadership Team and a devoted advocate for formulating sustainably, Kristal adopts a holistic approach to product development, believing that truly innovative beauty products are those that address the multifaceted needs of today’s consumers while better respecting the world around us.