Left: Monica Burgos, Ph.D., Scientific Communication Director at Lancaster Monaco and Markus Stauss, VP Global Marketing Travel Retail, Coty. Right: The GTR campaign visual for Lancaster Sun Perfect AIR.

ON LOCATION: Lancaster Monaco is demonstrating its expertise in photoageing with the launch of Sun Perfect Air SPF 50 – a hybrid sun protection and skincare line that builds on eight decades of scientific know-how, with selected products launching in global travel retail from March. 

With research showing that 80% of the signs of photoageing are due to daily sun exposure*, Lancaster is underscoring the importance of shielding skin from the full light spectrum with a range of new formulations that not only protect the skin, but work to repair and perfect it too.

The new Lancaster Monaco Sun Perfect Air SPF 50 collection was unveiled last week (12 March, 2026) at the inaugural Lancaster UV Science Summit at the Fairmont Monte Carlo, and TRBusiness was on location for a first-look at the products, to learn more about the story of their development, and why they’re a great fit for travelling consumers.

The event brought together some of the best brains in photoageing for an in-depth look at how sun exposure affects the skin, and the ways in which we can help protect it, with four experts taking to the stage to explain more: Professor Marc Pissavini, Ph.D., Sun Research Director at Lancaster Monaco; UV expert Prof. Thierry Passeron, MD, Ph.D., Dermatologist & Head of the Dermatology Department at Nice University Hospital; Dr. Stéphanie Leclerc-Mercier, a dermatologist in Paris and outdoor UV prevention expert; and Monica Burgos, Ph.D., Scientific Communication Director at Lancaster Monaco.

The Sun Perfect Air SPF 50 range comprises five products: the Daily Invisible Fluid in Sensitive Mineral, Pore & Imperfections, Glow Booster and 24HR Hydration (all 40ml), as well as the Invisible Face Mist (75ml), which can be applied over make-up (each RRP EUR36). The latter three products started rolling out in global travel retail from 1 March, with China to follow.

Each product is powered by ‘full light technology’ to help shield skin from the full sun spectrum, including UVB, UVA, visible light (including blue light), and infrared rays, with one notable update. As Prof. Pissavini explained: “With our latest evolution of Full Light Technology, we combine absorption, reflection and neutralisation to a fourth action: Repair; supporting the skin’s natural repair process from UVB and UVA induced damage. While total protection remains a challenge today, our advanced technology ensures effective defence while activating the skin’s natural repair processes.”

Meanwhile, AIR-O₂ Technology helps revitalise the skin’s appearance by delivering oxygen to the skin cells for an ‘awakening’ effect.

All of this is contained in an ultra-light texture that absorbs speedily into the skin, with each variety targeting the correction of a common skin concern (dullness, dryness, redness and acne-prone skin). The 24Hr Hydration variant, for instance, contains a hydrating ‘ultra-plump complex’ for deep hydration, says Lancaster, while the Glow Booster has an antioxidant complex for vitality and radiance.

Professor Marc Pissavini, Ph. D., Sun Research Director at Lancaster Monaco opens the Lancaster UV Science Summit in Monaco.

We sat down with Burgos to find out how Lancaster is communicating the USPs of the range to travelling consumers: “From our perspective, what is very interesting about travel retail is that, when we go on holiday, the only thing we want to think about is having fun and relaxing. When we’re in the airport, we can see so many options [for suncare] that we can feel a little bit lost, but we also have a bit more time and attitude to learn more about products and to make a better choice.”

She continued: “Science is very complex and technical and what we have done with Lancaster is to simplify the message to something really meaningful that we can repeat over and over because we are not tired of repeating what is really important and relevant and, at the end of the day, is needed to help consumers remember that key message.”

The headline, says Burgos, is the eye-opening 80% statistic, as referenced in the slide below.

Monica Burgos, Ph.D., Scientific Communication Director at Lancaster Monaco talked us through the research behind the new formulations.

“If we repeat that message over and over, we’ll already know that we have to get protection – and this is what is very important for us at Lancaster,” said Burgos.

Having formulations that target the full sun spectrum is “a strength” that makes Lancaster stand out from the crowd, enthused Burgos. As the company highlighted, this is especially pertinent considering that atmospheric warming is giving rise to longer, sunnier days, meaning people are tending to spend more time outdoors.

An attentive audience lap up the details of the science behind the formulations at the Lancaster UV Science Summit. 

We target UVB and UVA rays, but also the full visible light spectrum because today there is a big focus on blue light – but what about the rest? There is a full rainbow! And then, of course, infrareds,” elaborated Burgos.

“So if we are about to leave on holiday, especially to a sunny destination, it’s important to go for the best brands – the ones that really have a strong expertise. And then you will be completely sure you are making a right choice.”

Three SKUs from the Lancaster Sun Perfect Air SPF 50 range launched in global travel retail from 1 March 2026.

In addition to Sun Perfect Air, Coty’s Lancaster has brought out more special formats aimed at travellers, such as the 100ml version of the Sun Beauty Sun Body Water SPF50, as well as the Sun Beauty Face & Body Pocket Cream SPF50 (30ml) (RRP EUR29) – the shape for this is inspired by galets (the smooth grey stones that can be found along the pebble beaches of the French Riviera) – and the Sun Beauty Face Stick SPF50 (19g) (RRP EUR29).

Experts take to the stage for the inaugural Lancaster UV Science Summit in Monaco.

“We are going to place them, for example, in the queue areas at the cashier – not only in the suncare area – because if you buy any other category, this is where you are reminded of things you may have forgotten,” explained Markus Stauss, VP Global Marketing Travel Retail, Coty.

“You can take these pocket formats on weekend trips.”

Suncare meets skincare in Lancaster’s next-generation Sun Perfect Air SPF 50 formulations.

On the shelves in travel retail, the full light protection is communicated through the visual of a rainbow for easy understanding and recognition.

The travel retail exclusive ‘Weekender Set’, which contains products for face, body and after sun, has been designed to cover people”s key skin and suncare needs for trips of up to four days.

Left: An oxygen bar brought to life the Air-O2 Technology in the formulations, which delivers oxygen to the skin cells to support optimal function. Right: Breaking down the benefits of the Lancaster Sun Perfect Air Daily Invisible Fluid SPF50 Glow Booster.

The sensorial textures of the new Sun Perfect Air SPF 50 formulations were developed in direct response to consumer demand for high protection that’s light but not non-greasy, oily or sticky.

“It’s a real challenge from a formulation standpoint,” said Burgos. “One of the key secrets here is that we really have to add the right amount of filers as they take a big portion of the formula so we have to be very specific in the quantity that we put.

“We don’t want to put more [than is needed], as that influences the sensorality, so we always have to do the right calculations. Also, it’s our strategy to always choose high quality ingredients to achieve these textures that are not only easy to apply but are cocooning and pleasurable to use.”

A 100ml version of the Lancaster Sun Beauty Sun Body Water SPF50 is now available in travel retail. Right: Lancaster Sun Beauty Face & Body Pocket Cream SPF50 (30ml).

The new range demonstrates the rise of the skinification of suncare – where skin is protected, yet with added benefits.

“It is definitely following the trend, but more importantly, the request from consumers,” said Burgos. “It’s also a way to simplify the skincare routine while still getting all the benefits.”

At the dinner organised for attendees to the Lancaster UV Science Summit in Monaco last week. Right: Testing out the ‘UV Look’ tool which shows users how well they are protecting from the sun.

These added extras are drawn from the expertise harnessed in the wider Lancaster product portfolio. The company has products targeting wrinkles and dark spots, for instance, so already has actives for these two skin problematics it’s able to draw upon.

“It’s about bringing alternatives to market and for consumers to choose what functions better for their skin,” said Burgos of the development process.

Inside the Lancaster laboratory in Monaco. 

For the travel retail rollout of Sun Perfect Air SPF 50, holiday hotspots are, naturally, the target locations.

“That is exactly where the customers are looking [for suncare] and they love Lancaster. Consumers can’t buy it in the US as, due to regulations, they have a different formula. So they love to buy it when they go to the Caribbean and Latin America, as that is where they can get their beloved product,” said Stauss.

Lancaster Sun Perfect Air Daily Invisible Fluid SPF50 – Glow Booster and 24HR Hydration (40ml).

Stauss went onto explain that as awareness about sun protection grows, consumers are more open to discovering suncare brands, with luxury names like Lancaster turning heads in a crowded market.

“Lancaster will never compete against the $5 product, but the protection is on a different level,” he said.

Monica Burgos, Ph.D., Scientific Communication Director at Lancaster Monaco and Markus Stauss, VP Global Marketing Travel Retail, Coty.

In some airports, the company is deploying its ‘UV Look’ interactive technology, which invites shoppers to step up to a screen to see how well their face is protected from UV rays, and then to experience how much of a difference applying its products really makes.

“We have it really as a traffic stopper,” said Stauss. “That is how you start a conversation!”

Pocket UV light mirror devices are also given to Beauty Assistants (BAs) to help show shoppers how well their skin is protected before and after using the products, which Stauss described as another “good communication tool”.

Left: TRBusiness Editorial Director Faye Bartle. Right: Lancaster Sun Perfect display at Nice Airport. 

With Lancaster celebrating its 80th anniversary this year, the launch of Sun Perfect Air SPF 50 brings its rich heritage of scientific expertise to the fore in a way that is sure to resonate with today’s travelling consumers seeking sun protection products with added skincare benefits that they can trust.

*World Health Organization and Yale Medicine, photoaging study.

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