Consumer panel rates popular sunscreen sprays

Easy-to-use sunscreen sprays are selling like hotcakes as the weather gets warmer.

The JoongAng Ilbo compared the four most popular sunscreen sprays sold in hypermarkets and supermarkets by selecting 10 people to use the products from May 22 to June 9 and compare the results.

On the Body Aqua Cooling Sun Spray from LG Household and Health Care was the top choice, scoring the highest for price, SPF protection and comfort. It trailed Neutrogena’s product in packaging. Five out of 10 evaluators said the product was their favorite. Its small size kept it handy and portable. “Its texture is not sticky but downy,” said one tester. Others said it was too dry to easily apply.

Happy Bath Cooling Sun Spray from Amore Pacific ranked second. The evaluation team said the product is refreshing with a good scent, but the container is too.

American cosmetics brand Neutrogena’s Ultra Sheer Wet Skin Sun Block Body Mist has an easy access flip cap. The product won first place in the design category. The mist is waterproof and sweatproof, applicable even on wet skin. “Its texture is too greasy, oily and heavy,” one user commented. Some liked its brightening effect when applied, while others didn’t.

Protect and Refresh Cooling Mist from the German company Nivea was appreciated for its significant cooling effect. Once applied, the texture is closer to liquid than powder. Some evaluators complained the scent was too strong and difficult to rinse off. The product was the cheapest at 109 won (10 cents) per milliliter. On the Body costs 124 won per milliliter, Happy Bath costs 126 won and Neutrogena 151.

All four items were effective in blocking out sun.

BY KOO HUI-LYUNG, KIM HAE-YOON [haeyoonk1311@joongang.co.kr]