Reviews > Health & Safety > Sunscreens > KINeSYS Sunscreen Products > Jamie J. DeBenedetto > Initial Report

KINeSYS Performance SUNSCREEN

Initial Report - Aug 24th, 2005

Reviewer's Information

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Product Information and Description

According to the KINeSYS literature all the products I received are part of their Performance Sunscreen line. They offer both Ultraviolet A and B protection and are alleged to be fragrance free and water and sweat-resistant. Additionally, according to KINeSYS they are all hypoallergenic and suitable for sensitive skin because they won't block pores and are free of harmful ingredients like alcohol, oil and Para-aminobenzoic acid (PABA). KINeSYS suggests reapplication every two hours for best results, especially after swimming, washing or exercising.

The SPF 30+ Sunscreen Spray with Parsol® 1789 came in two container sizes, the travel size and the full size, both are in white spray bottles and have what KINeSYS calls a Microspray applicator. The spray comes out clear and in a fine mist. The SPF 30+ Sunscreen Cream with Titanium Dioxide came in a dark blue bottle, full size only. It and the SPF 15 Performance Moisturizer with Parsol® 1789 are white creams that utilize a flip top applicator. The Moisturizer is more of a lotion so it's not quite as thick as the Sunscreen Cream. It's designed for facial protection and has hydrating properties included in the ingredients list. The final item I received is the SPF 30 Sun Protection Stick with Titanium Dioxide. This solid is white like the cream but goes on clear. It's designed for areas that generally take more of a beating from the elements like ears, nose, lips, etc… The container is smaller than the travel size of the moisturizer or the spray.

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Arrival Condition and Informational Material

The KINeSYS Sunscreen products arrived undamaged on Aug. 11th, 2005. Included in the shipping box along with the five items was a six page informational sheet. The sheet lists all the Performance Sunscreen goods KINeSYS sells, has a short blurb about how the company began, their corporate contact information for both USA and Canadian residents, and directions on how to use the microsprays effectively. It also goes into their requirements for the Performance Sunscreen line, which I broke down in the Product Description section above.

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Expectations and First Impressions

I was very surprised at the number of items sent for this test. I was really expecting just one or possibly two bottles of the spray-on sunscreen. Needless to say it was a nice surprise to get several items instead. After checking out the new swag to see what was actually sent I perused through the literature they included with the products and visited the KINeSYS website once more. I think between the two informational mediums I was able to get a pretty good feel for the products and a good understanding of how to effectively use them.

I've had the KINeSYS Performance Sunscreen items for about a week and a half now and my initial impressions are so far positive. In a quick at home test I smelled each of the products and all but the Performance Moisturizer Lotion appear to be fragrance-free, which I absolutely view as a plus. Incidentally, the "scent" of the Moisturizer is very minimal, I can only smell it right after application and if I directly smell the area to which is was applied. In some at-home playing I have tried a small amount of each of the products, here's what I have learned so far.

The Titanium Dioxide Cream, although thicker in consistency than some sunscreens I have used in the past, spread sufficiently enough and it didn't leave my skin with a greasy residue. The Sunscreen Spray with Parsol® 1789 is very light and silky feeling. The Microspray applicator is easy to use, like any other spray bottle, but I think I need a little practice before I'm sure I will be getting full coverage without too much overlap spraying. The spray dried completely within a minute or two and like the cream did not feel greasy afterward. The Facial Moisturizer Lotion also feels smooth and silky and was easy to apply. It's a bit greasier to the touch than the other two items but was not overbearing in this regard and once on my face for just a few minutes the greasy feel vanished. Finally, the Sun Protection Stick as I had imagined it was the thickest of all the items and was a little more tricky to apply. The solid nature of the stick makes it more ridged in form and I think that contributed to my application difficulties. I'll see if this changes with regular use. Once on my skin the stick felt somewhat oily at first but that lessened a little as time passed. After about a half an hour the slippery sensation was totally gone.

I have to confess that I'm very happy KINeSYS sent the travel size of both the SPF 30+ Sunscreen Spray and the SPF 15 Moisturizer Lotion because I usually carry very tiny containers of lotion and sunblock when I backpack anyway. I think these small bottles, while larger than the containers I normally carry, will be small enough so as not to add too much extra weight or bulk to my kit. Lastly, among the fine print on the two larger bottles I noticed the full size cream and the full size spray note that they are "Not Tested on Animals". As an active volunteer with several local animal rescues and a devoted supporter of animal welfare and care I consider this to be a huge gold star for KINeSYS Inc.

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Expected Field Test Locations and Conditions

Between the months of August and December I will be anywhere from 1,500 ft (500 m) in the lower deserts of Arizona up to 10,000 ft (3,000 m) or higher on some of the mountain trails I plan to visit this year. Since this test series will encompass both summer, autumn and a pinch of winter I will likely experience temperatures as low as 20 F (-7 C) and possibly as high as 110 F (43 C). Snow, rain, hail, wind, humidity, and all manner of inclement weather are very possible.

I cannot speak to the latter months of the test series as I don't usually plan trips more than a few months in advance but I do have a three day outing planned for the end of August in the White Mtns of NE Arizona and another three day backpacking trip in the works for either September or October in the Chiricahua Mtns. of SE Arizona. I also will no doubt be doing countless partial and full-day hikes throughout each of the four test months and, if we have enough snow by December, I am hoping to get in at least two snowshoeing weekends this year. Finally, I am a kayaker and although I don't have any specific paddles scheduled I usually get on the water once or twice a month.

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Proposed Test Plan

The manufacture is marketing this line of products as something people with an active lifestyle can use everyday. I fit into this category quite well so my plan is to wear the KINeSYS Performance Sunscreen on each of my outdoor excursions, including but not limited to, hiking, kayaking, snowshoeing, and possibly down hill skiing, and taking my kids to the splash park or swimming. I have several specific questions I will be looking to address during the testing period. Most involve the effectiveness of the chosen applicator of each type of sunscreen in real outdoor conditions, the accuracy of the manufacture's claims regarding gentleness to my skin and water and sweat-resistance and most importantly, whether or not it works in the truly sunny environment of Arizona.

Jamie J. DeBenedetto
Aug. 24th, 2005

Reviews > Health & Safety > Sunscreens > KINeSYS Sunscreen Products > Jamie J. DeBenedetto > Initial Report