Stick Skincare Is Rising: From Sunscreen to Balms, Solid Formats Dominate 2025

Solid skincare formats—once seen as niche—are now a global trend. In 2025, skincare sticks are no longer limited to lip balms or SPF—they’ve expanded into moisturizers, serums, calming treatments, and even anti-aging formulas.

Fuelled by the demand for portable, mess-free, and minimalist products, consumers are embracing stick formats that combine efficacy, ease of use, and sustainability.

For beauty brands, this opens up significant OEM opportunities. Whether it’s a travel-friendly moisturizer, a reef-safe sunscreen stick, or a hybrid eye balm-serum, stick skincare is here to stay—and evolve.

Why Stick Skincare Is Booming

Key drivers behind the surge:

  • Portability for travel, gym, and outdoor use

  • Hygienic application—no fingers required

  • Packaging innovation (twist-up, biodegradable, refillable)

  • Waterless formulation = sustainability + long shelf life

  • High stability in heat and humidity

  • Ideal for on-the-go consumers, men’s grooming, and tropical climates

In Google search trends, queries like:

  • “moisturizer stick for face”

  • “solid sunscreen stick reef safe”

  • “anti-aging balm stick”
    have seen double-digit growth.

Popular Stick Format Product Types

1. Sunscreen Sticks

  • SPF30–50+ UVA/UVB

  • Sweat-resistant, reef-safe, non-greasy

  • Great for face, neck, ears, kids, and reapplication over makeup

2. Moisturizer Sticks

  • With shea butter, ceramides, panthenol

  • For dry zones (cheeks, chin, under eyes)

  • Especially popular in winter or plane travel kits

3. Anti-Aging Balm Sticks

  • Retinol, peptides, or bakuchiol-based

  • Targeted fine line treatment in crow’s feet or forehead

  • Can be layered over essence or SPF

4. Calming or CICA Sticks

  • Redness-reducing, post-treatment sticks

  • Often include Centella Asiatica, HOCL, or green tea

  • Spa or derm line compatible

5. Multi-Purpose Sticks

  • Lip + cheek balm, glow balm, highlight balm

  • Perfect for Gen Z or clean makeup lines

B2B Innovation Trends in Stick Skincare

At XJ BEAUTY, we see high demand for:

  • Melt-on-skin textures that leave no residue

  • Dual-layer sticks (clear barrier + active core)

  • Airless stick packaging for clean actives

  • Custom shapes (oval, mini, jumbo) for niche markets

  • Hybrid sunscreen-stick with skincare benefits

  • Vegan and wax-free options for eco positioning

XJ BEAUTY’s OEM/ODM Capabilities

We help global brands develop, test, and produce solid skincare formats across categories:

  • SPF Stick: with reef-safe zinc oxide or hybrid filters

  • Moisturizer Balm Stick: ceramides, HA, panthenol, made for sensitive skin

  • CICA Recovery Stick: for post-procedure or acne-prone skin

  • Brightening Stick: niacinamide + glutathione for dark spots

  • Scent-free grooming sticks for male-targeted skincare

Packaging options include:

  • Biodegradable paper tubes

  • Recyclable plastic

  • Refillable solid cartridges

  • Twist-up balms with silicone-free glide

All formulations can meet EU, FDA, ASEAN, GCC standards, with claims such as:

  • “No water added”

  • “Zero mess”

  • “Clinically tested on sensitive skin”

  • “Travel-safe, no TSA restrictions”

Final Thoughts

Solid skincare is more than a convenience—it’s a new standard for performance, portability, and planet-friendly beauty. From sunscreen to recovery balms, the stick format empowers brands to deliver high-impact results with minimalist form.

With XJ BEAUTY’s advanced formulation lab and full-service OEM solutions, your brand can lead the shift from liquid to solid—without compromising texture, efficacy, or global compliance.

Related reading: HOCL Mouth Spray: A Safer, Alcohol-Free Approach to Oral Hygiene

XJ BEAUTYskincare stick OEM, solid sunscreen manufacturer, moisturizer balm stick, reef-safe SPF stick, anti-aging balm OEM, travel skincare, XJ BEAUTY