Skin barrier products market

Skin barrier films are liquid formulations that protect the skin from mechanical or chemical injury and are used in post ostomy/stoma surgery. Skin barrier films are also used in the prevention of moisture-associated skin damage (MASD) which is excessive moisture caused by incontinence, perspiration, or wound drainage.

Products that form a transparent protective coating on the skin and can be safely applied to intact or broken skin without stinging may be made from a variety of substances such as acrylates, polymers both organic and inorganic, and silicone. Following the application, the barrier's liquid component evaporates, leaving a transparent, breathable protective coating.

Skin barrier films come in a variety of packaging and dispensing options such as foam applicators, sprays, wipes, and for the stoma, they come in tapes and strips.

Global Skin Barrier Products Market - Impact of the Coronavirus (COVID-19) Pandemic

The coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak was first reported on December 31, 2019, in Wuhan, China. The World Health Organization declared the COVID-19 a pandemic on March 11, 2020. According to the Coronavirus (COVID-19) Weekly Epidemiological Update by the World Health Organization, over 399 million cases and 5.75 million deaths due to coronavirus disease (COVID-19) were reported up till February 9, 2022, across the globe.

Impact of COVID-19 on Demand and Supply of Skin Barrier Products

The COVID-19 pandemic and consequent lockdown in various countries across the globe have impacted the financial status of businesses across all sectors including the private healthcare sector. The COVID-19 pandemic has impacted the entire supply chain of the healthcare industry mainly due to strict lockdown in several regions. The COVID-19 pandemic has affected the economy of various regions across the globe in three main ways; 1) by directly affecting the production and demand; 2) by creating disruptions in distribution channels; 3) through its financial impact on companies and financial markets. Many countries such as Thailand, Indonesia, and Singapore are facing problems with regard to the transportation and distribution of healthcare products.

The COVID-19 caused significant disruption to the delivery of patient care across the globe, including ostomy management or stoma care. For instance, according to an article published in the British Journal of Nursing in September 2020, the number of face-to-face appointments and home visits of patients with a stoma and an ileo-anal pouch at Oxford University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust decreased significantly between April and June 2020, causing difficulties for patients in ostomy management.

The skin barrier products market is estimated to be valued at USD 1,592.5 Mn in 2024 and is expected to reach USD 2,200.5 Mn by 2031, exhibiting a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 4.7% from 2024 to 2031.

Figure 1: Global Skin Barrier Products Market Share (%) Analysis, By Product Type

The increasing cases of incontinence is the major factor that is expected to drive the global skin barrier products market growth over the forecast period.

The emerging prevalence of urinary or fecal incontinence is expected to drive the growth of the global skin barrier products market. For instance, according to the Journal of Urology, in clinical setting, urinary incontinence is frequently underreported and underdiagnosed. The prevalence of urinary incontinence in the U.S. was 53% from 2005 to 2016; 16% of women had mixed urinary incontinence, 26% had stress only, and 10% had urgency only. While urgency and mixed urinary incontinence were most common in women aged over 60 years, stress urinary incontinence was most common in women aged 40–59 years.

Research and Development Activities

The increasing number of research and development activities by key market players is expected to aid in the growth of the global skin barrier products market over the forecast period. For instance, in September 2018, a controlled, randomized, prospective, open-label study was conducted in 21 healthy human volunteers to determine the durability of Cavilon Advanced Skin Protectant developed by 3M, an American multinational corporation, when applied to intact skin and compare it to three other products used for similar clinical indications. The 3M skin protectant was found to be more durable than the other products tested. It stayed on the skin for up to 7 days for all participants, whereas the other products had only 50% left on the skin at that point.

Global Skin Barrier Products Market – Regional Analysis

On the basis of region, the global skin barrier products market is segmented into North America, Latin America, Europe, Asia Pacific, Middle East, and Africa.

North America is expected to hold a dominant position in the global skin barrier products market over the forecast period, owing to new product launches of skin barrier wipes by key market players. For instance, in March 2017, ConvaTec Group Plc., a leading global medical technology company, announced the launch of Sensi-Care Skin Protectant Incontinence Wipes in the U. S., offering customers an advanced solution to help protect patients whose skin is at the risk of breakdown due to incontinence.

Moreover, due to increasing acquisitions by key market players, Europe is expected to witness significant growth in the global skin barrier products market over the forecast period. For instance, in January 2017, ConvaTec Group Plc, a leading global medical products and technologies company, announced the acquisition of EuroTec Beheer B.V., a Dutch-based manufacturer of ostomy appliances, for US$ 28 Million. Skin barrier products are used as ostomy pouch accessories. Furthermore, the addition of EuroTec to the ConvaTec family significantly strengthened their ostomy care business in France and the Benelux union.

Figure 2: Global Skin Barrier Products Market Value (US$ Mn), By Region

Key Developments:

• On January 9, 2024, Medline Industries, LP, the market leader in skin care, announced the addition to its advanced wound care portfolio, the OptiView Transparent Dressing with HydroCore Technology. This first-of-its-kind wound dressing features an innovative clear design that allows caregivers to quickly and easily inspect, monitor and blanch skin with the dressing in place.
• In February 2023, Sion Medical, an Israel-based manufacturer of single-use skin cleansing and dermatologic treatment, advanced wound care, burns remedy, and surgical solutions, announced the launch of two new products, Protective Barrier Wipes & Adhesive Remover Wipes. The Protective Barrier Wipes aids in keeping skin free of friction caused by medical adhesive tapes, adhesive of appliance adheres to dressing, not the skin. The products leave a thin breathable film on the skin, which protects it against potential damage.
• In October 2022, Ostoform, a company which develops new and innovative products to improve the life of those living with an ostomy, announced that it had been awarded US$ 2.7Mn (€2.5M) in non-dilutive grant funding through the prestigious European Innovation Council (EIC) Accelerator program. Ostoform will use this funding to further advance and scale FLOWASSIST, its patented innovation that has shown to significantly reduce the risk of skin complications among ostomy pouch users while extending the overall ostomy appliance wear time.
• In April 2021, Essity Medical Solutions, a medical solutions company, announced that it has signed an agreement to acquire ABIGO Medical AB, a medical solution company. ABIGO Medical AB develops, manufactures, and markets products including Sorbact technology, which is a clinically established innovation for advanced wound care.
• In September 2020, Wuhan Sitaili Medical Apparatus Development Co. Ltd., provider of medical device, announced the launch of Ostomy Barrier Ring that is used for skin around stoma hollowing and wrinkle

*Definition: Skin barrier films are liquid formulations that protect the skin from mechanical or chemical injury and are used in post ostomy/stoma surgery. Skin barrier films are also used in the prevention of moisture-associated skin damage (MASD) which is excessive moisture caused by incontinence, perspiration, or wound drainage. Products that form a transparent protective coating on the skin and can be safely applied to intact or broken skin without stinging may be made from a variety of substances such as acrylates, polymers both organic and inorganic, and silicone. Following the application, the barrier's liquid component evaporates, leaving a transparent, breathable protective coating. Skin barrier films come in a variety of packaging and dispensing options such as foam applicators, sprays, wipes, and for the stoma, they come in tapes and strips.

Global Skin Barrier Products Market – Competitive Landscape

Major players operating in the global skin barrier products market include 3M, ConvaTec Inc., Coloplast Corp., Salts Healthcare, MEDLINE, Medicareplus International, Essity Medical Solutions, Cardinal Health, Smith & Nephew Plc., Safe n Simple, B Braun Medical Inc., Hollister Inc., and DermaRite Industries, LLC.

Detailed Segmentation:

• By Product Type:
  • Foam Applicator
  • Spray
  • Wipes
  • Tapes & Strips
  • Others
• By Indication:
  • Urinary or Fecal Incontinence
  • Ostomy Management
  • Medical Adhesive-related Skin Injury (MARSI)
  • Moisture-Associated Skin Damage (MASD)
  • Others
• By End User:
  • Hospitals
  • Ambulatory Surgical Centers
  • Home-care Settings
  • Specialty Clinics
  • Others
• By Region:
  • North America
  • Latin America
  • Europe
  • Asia Pacific
  • Middle East
  • Africa