Prescription sunscreen cream sales go up

6 Jul 2022 , 12:15 PM

Because of this year’s high heat, consumers are slathering on sunscreen like never before to shield themselves from the sun’s harmful rays.

The Times of India reported that prescription sunblock sales surged by more than 55% in May compared to 2020, based on the most recent statistics gathered by research firm IMS.

Unlike medicated sunscreens, which are made by pharmaceutical businesses, conventional sunscreens are cosmetic in nature and prepared without the use of any chemicals.

Contrary to popular assumption, although costing two to three times as much as their cosmetic equivalents, prescription sunscreens are nonetheless popular. The line between “cosmetics” products available without a prescription and those that do so has also been blurred, according to experts.

Even though the majority of medicated sunscreens require a prescription, they are nonetheless widely available without one. Additionally, patients might receive particular medicated sunblocks, which might include a formulation to treat skin disorders like acne in a combined treatment.

Sunscreens saw the biggest increase in sales among derma medications in May, increasing by more than 150% year over year. One could point out that this is higher than the low base from the previous year when the nation was in a state of shock due to the second Covid wave.

After the coronavirus struck the country in March 2020, sales of medicated sunscreens decreased since fewer people were using them because they were mostly confined to their houses as a result of the pandemic.

Sun Pharma, Hegde & Hegde, IPCA, and Glenmark are a few of the leading rivals in this market, which is expected to be worth around Rs300 crore by the end of the 12-year forecast period in May 2022 and expand at a rate of 10 to 15% yearly. Most firms have seen a double- or triple-digit increase in sales this year.