What Are the Options Beyond SPF 50+? A View on Consumer Behavior and the Sensory Features of Sunscreens

Abstract

Skin cancer rates have been on the rise for decades and are still growing in spite of the availability of high-performance sunscreens that provide sufficient protection against the damaging effect of UV radiation everywhere on this globe. This paper investigates behaviors and attitudes to sunscreen use that may cause an increased UV exposure risk, for example, not using sunscreen at all. Alongside educational reasons, there is a link to some aspects of applying sunscreens that seem to be disliked universally. Therefore, the sensory features of 73 globally sourced commercial sunscreens were measured using quantitative descriptive sensory analysis. This revealed the ranges of sensory intensity currently available, which were then compared with what consumers really want, and showed that only a few sunscreens currently fulfill the needs of people in the most abundant consumer group - "dry touch seekers." All this contributes to insufficient or no use at all of sunscreens during sun exposure, which could result in significant UV dosages that turn out to be relevant for skin cancer development. A more integral approach to improving sunscreen formulas, along with more targeted communication to connect more effectively with consumers who currently show those avoidance behaviors, is needed.