The market for cannabis-infused sunscreen is still emerging, but the broader trends in sun care and cannabis skincare provide a useful backdrop for understanding where consumer adoption and spending habits stand today.
Globally, the sun-care products market was valued at around USD 14.0 billion in 2024, with projected growth to about USD 23.1 billion by 2033 at a CAGR of roughly 5.6%. In the U.S., the sun-care market was estimated at USD 14.35 billion in 2023 and projected to grow at about 6.1% annually through 2030. Meanwhile, the global market specifically for CBD skincare—an adjacent category to cannabis-infused SPF—was estimated at USD 1.77 billion in 2024 and is forecasted to expand significantly in the coming years.
These two data sets suggest that cannabis-infused sunscreen products are targeting a sweet spot: the convergence of the premium “blend of wellness and sun protection” category. However, actual consumer adoption of cannabis SPF remains constrained by several factors. First, general sunscreen usage still has room for growth—studies show many consumers apply SPF only intermittently rather than as a daily habit. For example, a Mintel report indicates new formats and added skincare claims are increasingly important, but that volume growth in sun care remains modest, with price increases driving most of the growth rather than increased usage.
Second, price positioning influences spending behavior. Traditional sunscreen sees average price points around US$8–US$10 per fluid ounce in mass retail; premium clean-beauty or niche formulas (including CBD/hemp variants) often command significantly higher prices. With cannabis-infused sunscreens positioned as premium or wellness-oriented, the higher price may limit adoption to more engaged “skincare enthusiast” consumers rather than the mass market.
Third, distribution and visibility matter. Cannabis- or hemp-branded sunscreens tend to sell via clean-beauty boutiques, specialty e-commerce, and wellness channels, rather than big-box mass retail, where many breeze into SPF purchases. That limits impulse purchases and repeat buyers, especially for a category needing regular replenishment (e.g., after boating days or beach use).
On consumer spending habits: shoppers of wellness-skincare (including CBD) show willingness to pay premium multiples when they perceive added benefits—anti-inflammatory claims, “plant-based” formulations, and “multi-tasking” textures (for example an SPF that doubles as moisturizer). The cushioning here is that cannabis-infused SPF must deliver credible efficacy (i.e., strong UVA/UVB protection, good feel, stable formula) before the “cannabis/CBd bonus” converts new buyers or drives premium spend.
In terms of adoption segments: It’s likely that early adopters skew toward younger consumers, wellness-oriented shoppers, and those already familiar with hemp-/CBD-skincare. For the larger base of sunscreen buyers, behavior remains habitual and functional (apply SPF, go outdoors) rather than an aspirational premium purchase—so cannabis-infused SPF must align with that behaviour and not over-price or over-complicate the decision.
In conclusion, cannabis-infused sunscreen enters a growing but not yet saturated market: sun care continues steady growth, CBD-skincare is expanding rapidly, and consumer habits around everyday SPF use are improving but not yet universal. Brands in this niche must bridge two gaps: convince consumers to purchase sunscreen more consistently, and then elevate that purchase to a cannabis-infused version worth paying extra for. As channels expand and consumer awareness grows, spending could accelerate—especially among the wellness-skincare niche—but mainstream jump remains conditional on price, performance and availability.