Featuring: Shyama
Summary
Shyama shares how she manages an oily complexion and dry body skin with a Korean sunscreen at the end of her daily skincare routine. Frustrated by the white cast left by some traditional sunscreens, she prioritises formulas that work well with her skin tone and imagines a fragrance-free sunscreen stick that makes daily application quicker and easier.
Meet Shyama: Dry Body, Oily Face
Shyama describes two very different skin needs: her body tends to be dry, while her face is oily.
Despite this, her sun protection routine is currently focused mainly on her face and neck rather than her body.
Pull quote: “My body is dry and then my face is oily.”
Korean Sunscreen Completes Her Daily Routine
Shyama follows a skincare routine of around five steps, with sunscreen applied last.
She prefers Korean sunscreen, explaining that some sunscreens she has tried in the UK leave a visible white cast on her complexion.
For Shyama, finding an SPF that blends comfortably into the skin without leaving an ashy finish is essential.
Pull quote: “I find that British brands here have a white cast, so they leave me looking grey.”
Facial SPF Takes Priority
Although Shyama regularly applies sunscreen to her face, she admits she is less consistent when it comes to her body.
She usually takes her application down to her neck before stopping, describing the lack of body SPF as more about convenience than intention.
Her routine highlights how ease of use can influence whether consumers apply sun protection beyond the face.
Ingredients: Research When It Matters
Shyama does not feel confident interpreting sunscreen ingredient lists independently.
However, when she needs to purchase a new SPF, she takes the time to research the formulation online.
Pull quote: “If I have to buy a sunscreen, I have to Google the ingredients because I have no clue what’s going on.”
For brands, this underlines the importance of making ingredient information clear and accessible to consumers who want reassurance without needing specialist knowledge.
Shopping Habits: New Products In-Store, Repurchases Online
Shyama takes a hybrid approach to shopping for sun care.
If she already knows and trusts a product, she is happy to repurchase it online. For something new, however, she prefers to see it in-store first.
This allows her to assess an unfamiliar product before committing to it.
What She Wants From Sun Care
Shyama’s ideal sunscreen is all about making SPF application more convenient.
She would like to see sunscreen packaged in a format similar to a deodorant stick, allowing it to be rolled directly over the skin and applied quickly.
Her ideal product would be:
- Easy to roll on
- Quick and convenient to apply
- Fragrance-free
- Compact and portable
- Packaged in pink
Pull quote: “I would love if someone could do sunscreen like a deodorant stick, so I could just roll it on and go.”
She also prefers products without fragrance, explaining that even pleasant scents can become overwhelming with repeated daily use.
Convenience Could Encourage More Body SPF Use
Shyama’s comments highlight an important challenge for the sun care category: consumers may understand the importance of SPF but still skip areas of the body when application feels inconvenient.
Formats that make sunscreen faster and less messy to apply could help encourage more consistent protection.
Her ideal stick format also reflects growing demand for sun care that fits seamlessly into everyday beauty routines rather than feeling like a separate, seasonal step.
Key Takeaways for Brands
- White cast remains a significant sunscreen concern for consumers with deeper skin tones.
- Korean sunscreens continue to influence expectations around invisible, wearable SPF.
- Convenience can determine whether consumers extend sun protection beyond the face and neck.
- Clear ingredient communication can help consumers who research formulas but lack technical knowledge.
- Portable, fragrance-free stick formats could make everyday SPF application quicker and more appealing.
