It’s no surprise to Irish pharmacists that a washout summer in 2024 had a direct impact on suncare sales. Poor weather in June and July led to a noticeable dip in the body suncare category. However, there’s a silver lining: the face suncare and dermo SPF categories are showing encouraging signs of long-term, year-round growth.

While body suncare products have struggled, the face suncare category continues to grow consistently throughout the year. Consumers are becoming more informed about the importance of wearing SPF 365 days a year, even in Ireland’s often cloudy climate. This is further reflected in our data, where dermo suncare has grown year-on-year in 9 of the past 12 months—a strong indicator that SPF protection is now seen as a daily skincare essential, not just a holiday item.

This shift is echoed in industry forecasts: the sun protection category is expected to grow by 1.8% in 2025. For pharmacists, this presents an opportunity to pivot from the traditional seasonal approach and meet growing customer demand for everyday sun protection.

Tips for Pharmacies: Preparing for the Year-Round SPF Shopper

•    Stock Up on Daily SPF Products: Prioritise lightweight, non-greasy SPFs designed for daily facial use and suitable under makeup—these are particularly popular with skin-conscious consumers.

•    Educate Your Customers: Use signage and conversations at the counter to highlight the importance of daily SPF, even on overcast days. Encourage staff to share their favourite SPF products.

•    Cross-Merchandise with Skincare: Place SPF ranges alongside moisturisers and serums to promote them as part of a daily skincare routine.

•    Plan for Seasonal Peaks Early: While year-round demand is rising, summer still drives a spike in SPF sales. Ensure your seasonal stock is ordered in advance and supported with promotional offers and displays.

•    Leverage Dermo Expertise: Position your pharmacy as a trusted source of advice on skin health by training staff on the dermo SPF ranges and their benefits for different skin types and conditions.

•    Order POS Kits from United Drug: Use available point-of-sale kits to help promote SPF products in-store by increasing visibility and drawing customer attention to key ranges. Click here to order

As sun protection becomes a skincare staple, pharmacies have a unique opportunity to support this public health message, while also growing a key category in the skincare aisle.