Scroll through any Gen Z feed and you’ll find more than product shots: sponge swirls of mousse SPF, glowy mist popped over makeup, and scented sticks clipped onto purses.

Gone are the days of boring tubes. For Gen Z and Gen Alpha, SPF isn’t a chore—it’s part of their identity, their routine, and even their aesthetic. They don’t want just protection. They want joy, expression, and fun in their skincare.

Let’s explore how young consumers are shifting norms—and how Admigos brings their SPF rituals to life visually.

Fresh Habits, New Formats

Despite an obsession with skincare routines, only about 26% of 7–18-year-olds include sunscreen in their TikTok-inspired skincare mix.

Similarly, roughly 37% of Gen Z adults apply sunscreen only after reminders, with 28% prioritising tanning instead.

Brands are responding with multisensory formats designed for youth appeal:

SPF has become part of a tactile, emotional ritual, not a quick chore.

Fun Meets Function: The Rise of “Funscreen”

Vogue Business has dubbed it the “funscreen revolution”. Young consumers don’t settle.

They expect an SPF product to:

1. Protect—broad-spectrum efficacy is still non-negotiable.
2. Feel good—light, glowy, and sensorial.
3. Look good—insta-ready packaging and textures.
4. Be shareable—macro visuals, swatch clips, ASMR-like texture shots.

This composite of functional and fashionable is exactly what Gen Z craves.

Ritual Remix: How Young Audiences Use SPF Daily

Young consumers are weaving SPF into moments that go beyond morning routines:

According to a Mintel report, 64% of Gen Z still trust traditional sunscreens over integrated SPF—the ritual matters more than “hidden” SPF formulas.

Why Rituals Matter—and How Admigos Visualizes Them

Admigos crafts campaigns tuned to youth behaviour:

• Texture-Driven Reels

Close-up mousse swirls, mist bursts, stick glides—each shot feels sensory-first and tangible.

• Swipe-to-Apply Loops

Frame 1: Charged mousse swirl.

Frame 2: Finger applies and blends

Frame 3: Glassy glow sets in, tagged “#FunscreenRevelation”

• Contextual Consumer Scenarios

Shots of midday SPF mist at soccer fields; desk-side stick application; pre-party glow spray.

• Voice & Caption Mix

“POV: You just hit the locker room—here’s your midday glow.” “These SPF moves are even better than glow serum ✨”

Admigos blends visuals, text, and context to show how young audiences sync SPF with life.

e.l.f.’s "Sunhinged" Example

Knowing youth lean on humour, e.l.f. Skin launched Sunhinged, a Gen Z–Z-oriented roast of SPF denial.

Starring comedian Marie Faustin and Meghan Trainor, it reached young audiences through laughter, with stats showing 64% often forget SPF, and 90% say funny ads stick.

Science-Backed Glow

To complement fun, credibility is key:

Emotions meet evidence—without being clinical.

The Gen Z Pull Toward Self-Care

Fortune India captures Gen Z’s embrace of self-care. Rituals like skincare offer psychological anchor points during uncertain times.

The result? Products that feel restful, self-affirming, and sensory-rich—connect with mood, not just UV.

Final Thoughts and Takeaway

Gen Z and Gen Alpha don’t accept SPF—they experience it. Their routines blend protection with mood, shareability, and multisensory delight. Sticks, mists, mousses—they demand texture-driven, ritualised, shareable moments.

Admigos helps brands speak that language: crafting visuals that don’t just instruct when to apply SPF—they show why it feels good, when it fits, and how it looks. It’s not just product beauty—it’s experiential storytelling.