Reviews > Health & Safety > Sunscreens > KINeSYS Sunscreen Products > Lynne Durham > Field Report

Field Report

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PRODUCT INFORMATION

SUMMARY

FIELD USAGE

Since my initial report, I have used the KINeSYS sun products extensively. In fact, I have used up every drop of every product we were sent to test. The products have been used in a wide variety of conditions:

• In the mostly shaded northwoods of Michigan
• In the sunny starkness of the desert
• During hikes that started in cooler, high elevations and took me down to lower, much warmer elevations
  
• In hot (above 80 F [27 C]) weather
• In cool (below 50 F [10 C]) weather
• At the beach
• In both cloudless and cloudy conditions
• In the case of the moisturizer, in office conditions under makeup, post-sun for rehydration and  post-shower as a regular moisturizer

Additionally, the products have been used during a variety of activities:

• Running. I’ve used the products during long, slow runs as well as short, intense runs
• Hiking and backpacking
• Slow, comfortable strolls
• Bicycling
• Paddling

INDIVIDUAL PRODUCT REVIEWS

KINeSYS Performance Sunscreen Spray (30 SPF)
This product was tested in both the 4 oz (118 ml) and the 1 oz (30 ml) sizes. I found the smaller-sized bottle perfect to pack for a weekend backpack. However, reapplying sunscreen as I do (and as recommended by the manufacturer: every two hours), I chose to pack the larger bottle for longer trips.

Ease of use
The directions for the spray suggested that it did not need to be rubbed in. I admit I was skeptical. My concern is that it wouldn't apply evenly and I would develop a scattershot-patterned suntan.

However, this was not the case. The pump-style spray was easy to use. Everywhere I sprayed, I was protected. No spray pattern was detectable in my eventual tan and I never needed to rub the spray in.

Feeling on skin, comfort
The spray goes on wet. On the skin, it initially looks shiny, as if one had been sprayed with oil. However, it does not have that slick, oily feeling. Instead, it feels nearly silky, if one can describe a liquid in that manner. The spray dries within approximately 3 minutes, at which time the shininess fades. After the shininess fades, the spray is completely undetectable to the senses -- there is no visible residue, no odor and no unpleasant tactile sensations such as stickiness, greasiness or slipperiness.

I did experience an odd sensation on my face when using any of the KINeSYS products (despite the different active ingredients between the products). When I was exerting myself, I felt like I would sweat earlier than normal while wearing the sunscreen on my face. Additionally, I had an odd sensation of the sweat beading on my face, rather than running as it usually would. However, I did not have a mirror to actually observe the phenomenon. Additionally, when my husband was with me and I asked him how the sweat looked on my face, he thought I was crazy and said I looked like I always look.

During heavy exertion, when sweat ran into my eyes, I did not notice any additional discomfort caused by wearing the sunscreen. Sometimes sweat stings my eyes, sometimes it does not. This continued to be the case while I was testing the KINeSYS spray.

The lack of stickiness made the KINeSYS spray useful at the beach or in sandy, windy hiking conditions. Whereas sand often sticks to other sun products that I've tried, it did not stick to the KINeSYS anymore than it would to my unprotected skin.

Function/protection
During the course of using both the large and small sprays, I estimate my KINeSYS-protected skin was exposed to the sun for a minimum of 40+ hours. During that time, I never once developed a sunburn. Well, except on my ears when I forgot to spray them one sunny day. Ouch.

I would not normally use sunscreen sprays on my face because most sunscreen sprays tend to be oils. However, I did use the KINeSYS Performance Sunscreen spray on my face regularly. I did not notice an increase in face oiliness or pimple breakouts while doing so.

KINeSYS Performance Sunscreen Cream (30 SPF)
This product was tested in the 4 oz (118 ml). The cream is completely odorless.

Ease of use
The cream rubs in smoothly, easily and evenly. However, the titanium dioxide formula leaves behinds an ever-so-slight white coating. I had never used metal oxide sunscreen formulas (for example, zinc oxide) before this, so at first it was a bit disconcerting. However, once I got used to being lightly pale, I actually liked the coating. It seemed to fade over a time period that coincided with the recommended reapplication time (2 hours). Thus, it was easy to remember to reapply when I was outside for long periods of time.

KINeSYS Performance Moisturizer (15 SPF)
This product was tested in the 1 oz (30 ml). The moisturizer is completely odorless.

Please note that its sun protection factor is less than the Sun Protection products. Because I am such a freak about wearing higher-SPF sun products, I viewed the Performance Moisturizer the way I do a cosmetic moisturizer. I used it under makeup, as a light facial moisturizer after a shower, or to rehydrate my skin after sun exposure.

Ease of use
I used the Performance Moisturizer as I would any moisturizer and it is very easy to use. It is quickly absorbed by the skin and leaves no residues of any kind.

Feeling on skin, comfort
The Performance Moisturizer looks creamy and rich when it comes out of the bottle, but it feels pleasantly light on my skin. There is no heavy greasiness or oiliness associated with use. I did not experience any breakouts while using this product.

Function/protection
The Performance Moisturizer kept my skin feeling soft and hydrated while I used it.

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KINeSYS Sun Protection Stick (30 SPF)
This product was tested in the 0.26 oz (7.3 g) size. The stick is oval in shape, creating a relatively broad surface for use. The stick is completely odorless.

Ease of use
This was the easiest of all the KINeSYS products to use, especially for facial use. I just pulled off the top and rubbed it around on my face. However, I really had to pay attention to which areas I had covered and which I had not. During one usage, I must have missed a swath of my forehead and I ended up with a red streak of sunburn on my forehead. 

Although I did use the stick on other body areas besides my face for testing purposes, I do not recommend that the stick be used that way.  By virtue of its nature, it takes a long time to cover large body areas.

Feeling on skin, comfort
The Sun Protection Stick felt light and comfortable on my skin. There was no greasiness, oiliness or waxiness (as I tend to associate with sticks). The stick caused no breakouts, no additional oiliness and did not cause any increased burning  when it would get into my eyes via sweat.

Function/protection
As long as I totally and evenly covered my skin, I experienced no sunburn while using the Sun Protection Stick .

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THIS IS COOL

• Absolutely scentless. My nose could detect no odor in any of these products
• Light, greaseless feeling. Does not make my skin feel like it’s “coated”

THIS COULD BE IMPROVED

• I was completely satisfied with the KINeSYS products. The only thing I might recommend is they offer a larger size, too, since they are targeting athletes and other folks who spend a lot of time outdoors

REVIEWER BIO

Sunscreen Experience
I love to be outdoors and I am outside for a minimum of an hour daily each weekday, whether I am in the city, at the beach or in the woods. I also spend most of the weekend outdoors playing, either hiking, trail running, bicycling, backpacking, or paddling. Thus I use sunscreen extensively.

About My Skin
I've had normal-to-oily skin my entire life, with a tendency to break out in pimples. As I’ve gotten older, the oiliness has subsided somewhat. However, I am still prone to pimples, usually one or two at a time. My skin tone is light-to-medium and I tend to tan lightly first then burn.

I’m hoping for my mother’s genes as her skin still looks great in her early 60s. But I’m also following her lead: she has used sunscreen throughout her entire adult life. Just in case that had something to do with her great skin, I do the same thing.

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Reviews > Health & Safety > Sunscreens > KINeSYS Sunscreen Products > Lynne Durham > Field Report