Which sun care & tanning brands
AI recommends in the US
Brands ranked by mention rate on ChatGPT, Gemini, Google AI Mode and Perplexity
- Brands
- 29
- Questions
- 358
- Answers
- 4,296
- AI engines
- 4
01 · Brand leader
Top 10 brands by mention rate
No single brand runs away with the category.
Several brands compete for the top places.
| # | Brand | Mention rate Share of questions where Gemini names the brand | Share of voice The brand’s share of all brand mentions in the engine’s answers | 95% range The interval the true mention rate most likely falls in | In top 20 of The brand’s place inside each engine’s own top 20 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 11–12 | Sun Bum | 10.2% | 8.1% | 7.5–13.8 | ChatGPT5Gemini1Google AI Mode4Perplexity4 |
| 21–12 | Blue Lizard | 10.0% | 6.4% | 7.3–13.5 | ChatGPT1Gemini2Google AI Mode5Perplexity9 |
| 31–15 | Banana Boat | 8.8% | 4.8% | 6.2–12.1 | ChatGPT9Gemini3Google AI Mode10Perplexity15 |
| 41–16 | Bondi Sands | 8.4% | 6.2% | 5.9–11.7 | ChatGPT3Gemini4Google AI Mode2Perplexity10 |
| 51–17 | La Roche-Posay | 7.6% | 6.2% | 5.3–10.9 | ChatGPT2Gemini5Google AI Mode3Perplexity1 |
| 61–19 | EltaMD | 7.2% | 5.7% | 4.9–10.3 | ChatGPT7Gemini6Google AI Mode1Perplexity2 |
| 71–20 | Tan-Luxe | 6.1% | 5.8% | 4.0–9.0 | ChatGPT15Gemini7Google AI Mode13Perplexity14 |
| 81–20 | Isle of Paradise | 6.0% | 5.9% | 3.9–8.9 | ChatGPT12Gemini8Google AI Mode7Perplexity6 |
| 91–20 | Supergoop! | 5.7% | 3.9% | 3.7–8.6 | ChatGPT11Gemini9Google AI Mode11Perplexity12 |
| 101–20 | St. Tropez | 5.2% | 3.6% | 3.4–8.0 | ChatGPT4Gemini10Google AI Mode6Perplexity3 |
| 111–20 | Neutrogena | 5.0% | 3.2% | 3.2–7.8 | ChatGPT8Gemini11Google AI Mode14Perplexity11 |
| 121–20 | Jergens | 4.9% | 4.6% | 3.1–7.7 | ChatGPT13Gemini12Google AI Mode12Perplexity7 |
| 133–20 | Thinkbaby / Thinksport | 4.2% | 4.2% | 2.6–6.8 | ChatGPT14Gemini13Google AI Mode15Perplexity5 |
| 143–20 | Loving Tan | 4.0% | 3.2% | 2.4–6.6 | ChatGPT20Gemini14Google AI Mode18 |
| 153–20 | Vaseline | 3.8% | 6.8% | 2.3–6.3 | Gemini15Google AI Mode9Perplexity17 |
| 164–20 | Hawaiian Tropic | 3.5% | 3.1% | 2.1–6.0 | ChatGPT18Gemini16Google AI Mode17Perplexity18 |
| 175–20 | CeraVe | 3.4% | 2.8% | 1.9–5.8 | ChatGPT6Gemini17Google AI Mode8Perplexity13 |
| 186–20 | Coco & Eve | 2.8% | 3.5% | 1.5–5.1 | ChatGPT17Gemini18Google AI Mode16Perplexity8 |
| 196–20 | Australian Gold | 2.7% | 2.9% | 1.5–4.9 | ChatGPT19Gemini19Google AI Mode19Perplexity20 |
| 207–20 | L'Oréal Paris Sublime Bronze | 2.0% | 2.6% | 1.0–4.1 | ChatGPT10Gemini20Perplexity16 |
02 · Engine consensus
Where each brand ranks
inside every engine’s top 10
There is no single AI top 10.
Only 6 of 17 brands rank in the top 10 of all 4 engines.
| Brand | ChatGPT | Gemini | Google AI Mode | Perplexity | In top 10 of |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| La Roche-Posay | 2 | 5 | 3 | 1 | ChatGPTGeminiGoogle AI ModePerplexity |
| Sun Bum | 5 | 1 | 4 | 4 | ChatGPTGeminiGoogle AI ModePerplexity |
| EltaMD | 7 | 6 | 1 | 2 | ChatGPTGeminiGoogle AI ModePerplexity |
| Blue Lizard | 1 | 2 | 5 | 9 | ChatGPTGeminiGoogle AI ModePerplexity |
| Bondi Sands | 3 | 4 | 2 | 10 | ChatGPTGeminiGoogle AI ModePerplexity |
| St. Tropez | 4 | 10 | 6 | 3 | ChatGPTGeminiGoogle AI ModePerplexity |
| Isle of Paradise | – | 8 | 7 | 6 | GeminiGoogle AI ModePerplexity |
| Banana Boat | 9 | 3 | 10 | – | ChatGPTGeminiGoogle AI Mode |
| CeraVe | 6 | – | 8 | – | ChatGPTGoogle AI Mode |
| Thinkbaby / Thinksport | – | – | – | 5 | Perplexity |
| Tan-Luxe | – | 7 | – | – | Gemini |
| Jergens | – | – | – | 7 | Perplexity |
| Neutrogena | 8 | – | – | – | ChatGPT |
| Coco & Eve | – | – | – | 8 | Perplexity |
| Supergoop! | – | 9 | – | – | Gemini |
| Vaseline | – | – | 9 | – | Google AI Mode |
| L'Oréal Paris Sublime Bronze | 10 | – | – | – | ChatGPT |
Rank inside each engine’s own top 10 · a dash means the brand is not in that engine’s top 10.
The rest depend on which engine the buyer opens — so a rank from a single engine is not a market position.
Source: Findrix's research. Where each brand ranks inside every engine's top 10, sun care & tanning, United States.
04b · Most cited domains
Which sites each engine cites, and
how much of its answers they carry
| Domain | ChatGPT | Gemini | Google AI Mode | Perplexity |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| google.com | – | 8.9% | 43.3% | – |
| gstatic.com | – | 43.3% | – | – |
| youtube.com | 0.3% | 0.2% | 12.7% | – |
| aad.org | 11.0% | 0.2% | 0.4% | 0.2% |
| nih.gov | 5.2% | 0.1% | 0.2% | 0.4% |
| fda.gov | 4.7% | 0.1% | 0.4% | <0.1% |
| goodhousekeeping.com | 1.8% | 0.2% | – | 4.7% |
| nytimes.com | – | – | 0.3% | 4.4% |
| nbcnews.com | 3.9% | 0.6% | 0.1% | 2.1% |
| amazon.com | 0.2% | – | 0.8% | 3.8% |
| allure.com | 3.5% | – | 0.4% | 2.1% |
| target.com | 2.7% | 0.5% | 0.8% | 3.4% |
05 · The questions we asked
358 buyer questions, each
asked three times per engine
This isn’t a branded-prompt study.
78% of questions are problem- or solution-aware.
| Intent | Questions |
|---|---|
| Solution-aware | 160 |
| Problem-aware | 118 |
| Informational | 40 |
| Branded comparison | 24 |
| Branded sentiment | 16 |
By intent
Examples · Solution-aware
“Can you recommend a high quality Tanning oil that provides Scent/tropical fragrance appeal as of latest information?”
“I am looking for a lightweight Tinted/BB sunscreen that absorbs fast without leaving residue. as of latest information”
Examples · Problem-aware
“Why does my self-tanner always turn out streaky around my ankles, and will a Gradual/daily self-tanner fix that as of latest information?”
“Why does my self-tanner always turn out streaky around my ankles, and will a Pre-tan exfoliating scrub/mitt fix that as of latest information?”
Examples · Informational
“What ingredients should I avoid in a Tanning oil if I am prone to clogged pores as of latest information?”
“What ingredients should I avoid in a After-Sun Hydrating Lotions & Balms if I am prone to clogged pores as of latest information?”
Examples · Branded comparison
“EltaMD vs La Roche-Posay for Dermatologist-recommended facial sunscreens evaluated for acne-prone/sensitive skin, white cast, texture under makeup, and active UV filters (mineral vs. chemical). as of latest information?”
“Banana Boat vs Hawaiian Tropic for Drugstore dark tanning oils (SPF 0-15), evaluated on coconut/tropical scent, absorption rate, skin shine, and water resistance. as of latest information?”
Examples · Branded sentiment
“Is Banana Boat a good choice in after-sun care as of latest information?”
“Is St. Tropez a good choice in tanning prep & removal as of latest information?”
Source: Findrix research. 358 buyer questions by intent, sun care & tanning, United States.
05b · By product type
Which product segments
the questions cover
The study doesn’t hinge on one product category.
Questions span 5 sun care & tanning segments.
| Segment |
|---|
| Sunscreen |
| Self-Tanner |
| After-Sun Care |
| Tanning Prep & Removal |
| Bronzer/Tanning Oil & Accelerator |
5 segments
Examples · Sunscreen
“EltaMD vs La Roche-Posay for Dermatologist-recommended facial sunscreens evaluated for acne-prone/sensitive skin, white cast, texture under makeup, and active UV filters (mineral vs. chemical). as of latest information?”
Examples · Self-Tanner
“Can you recommend a high quality Self-tanning mousse/foam that provides Natural-looking color result (no orange tint) as of latest information?”
Examples · After-Sun Care
“Is Banana Boat a good choice in after-sun care as of latest information?”
Examples · Tanning Prep & Removal
“Is St. Tropez a good choice in tanning prep & removal as of latest information?”
Examples · Bronzer/Tanning Oil & Accelerator
“Can you recommend a high quality Tanning oil that provides Scent/tropical fragrance appeal as of latest information?”
Source: Findrix research. 5 product segments covered by the question set, sun care & tanning, United States.
Neighbouring markets · Beauty & Personal Care
United States · Australia
Facial Skincare
Gemini leader CeraVe · 6.5% · 57 brands measured
Open this market
Frequently asked questions
What does this Sun Care & Tanning AI Search report measure?
Which sun care & tanning brands ChatGPT, Gemini, Google AI Mode and Perplexity name when buyers in the United States ask them for advice. We asked 358 buyer questions, each three times to each engine, and counted how often every brand appears and which websites the engines cite. Measured Sep 2026.
What does “mention rate” mean?
The share of questions where an engine names the brand in its answer. A 10% mention rate means the brand came up in about one question in ten. Every rate carries a 95% range: the interval the true value most likely falls in.
How are the top Sun Care & Tanning brands ranked?
By mention rate, separately for each engine — pick the engine above the table. When two brands’ 95% ranges overlap, their order is not really different — tick “Only distinguishable places” to see the ranks the data can actually separate.
Why does a brand rank differently across AI engines?
Each engine retrieves from different sources and weighs them differently, so the brands it knows best differ too. Only 6 of 17 brands make the top 10 of every engine here; the rest depend on which engine the buyer opens.
What counts as a citation?
A link or source an engine shows alongside its answer. We record every cited domain, whether it appears inline or in the source list.
Why can AI mention a brand without citing its website?
Engines learn brand names from reviews, expert sites, retailers and forums, then cite those sources rather than the brand’s own pages. A brand can be named often while its own site is rarely among the sources.
What does “share of citations” mean?
Of all the citations one engine gave across our questions, the share that went to a given domain. The shares of one engine add up to 100%.
What types of Sun Care & Tanning questions are included?
Questions real buyers ask across 5 product segments, from problem-aware to solution-aware, informational and branded ones. 78% are problem- or solution-aware; this is not a branded-prompt study.
Will I get the same answers if I ask these questions myself?
Not word for word. AI answers vary between runs, accounts and locations, which is why we ask every question three times per engine and report a 95% range instead of a single answer.