As the scorching sun of summer takes center stage, consumers across the globe eagerly flock to the shores, relaxing by the sandy beaches and refreshing ocean waves. However, amidst the anticipation of sun-kissed days, the growing awareness around the importance of sun protection. In a world increasingly attuned to the consequences of prolonged sun exposure, beachgoers and those that take to the outdoors now prioritize safeguarding their skin from harmful UV rays, making sun protection a paramount concern. 

To learn about the top sun care products, we looked at our one source of truth–insights from verified buyers. By reviewing organic reviews from high end sources like Sephora and drug stores like Walgreens and CVS to determine what consumers’ go-to products are. 

For this blog post we looked at the entire sun care category and then did comparative analysis of the “Best of the Best” products.  The “Best of the Best” represents products with the most share of discussion and high sentiment, setting them apart from the rest.

Looking at the sun care category

To gain a deeper understanding of consumer sentiment, our analysis began by examining the sun care category as a whole. The average sentiment for this category stands at 74%, as evident from the chart below. Notably, L’Oreal emerges as the leader in terms of sentiment, with their brands receiving the highest positive sentiment. Neutrogena, on the other hand, stands out for surpassing the average sentiment score while also generating substantial discussion volume, placing it in a league of its own. These brands cater to the mass market and can be found in most drug stores. Despite facing competition from high-end sun care brands such as Clinique, Shiseido, and Clarins, L’Oreal and Neutrogena hold their ground.

When looking at the same chart on the product level, Neutrogena has two products with a strong positive sentiment listed while L’Oreal doesn’t make the cut. However, the product with the highest discussion volume is the tarte tarteguard 30 sunscreen lotion Broad Spectrum SPF 30.

The products below stand out because they give consumers the most overall satisfaction featuring two Neutrogena products as well as products from Beauty by Earth, Supergoop!, and Shiseido.

Best of the Best in Sun Care

As mentioned earlier, the “Best of the Best” are products with a high share of discussion and high consumer sentiment. They are easily accessed by ticking the box for the filter on Revuze’s Best / Worst dashboard. Keep in mind that this list was created and powered by Revuze’s Generative AI engine. 

At first glance, the sentiment chart shows that the average sentiment for this product group is 88% as opposed to 74% for the entire category, highlighted earlier. Once again we see that the Neutrogena brand continues to be consistent with its high sentiment and discussion volume. Other brands that have above average sentiment are L’Oreal Paris, Olay, Clarins, Demologica, Aveeno, and Clinique. Here we have a nice mix of drugstore and department store bran

When we drill down to products, we see that EltaMD UV Clear Tinted Broad-Spectrum SPF 46 has the highest consumer sentiment and discussion inching out Neutrogena Beach Defense Water + Sun Protection Sunscreen Spray Broad Spectrum SPF 70.

When we jump to the complete Best / Worst product page we see that Murad’s Correct & Protect Face Sunscreen Broad Spectrum SPF 45 PA is the top sun care product.

Consumer thoughts on Neutrogena

Neutrogena gives department store brands a run for their money. They maintain a position on the category list and product list. So let’s take a moment and try to understand why consumers love Neutrogena sun care products so much!

1. Effective protection: Consumers generally find Neutrogena sunscreen products to be efficient in preventing sunburn, even during extended sun exposure at the beach or pool.
2. Easy application: The spray format of Neutrogena sunscreens is praised for its convenience and ease of use, allowing for quick and mess-free application.
3. Skin-friendly and non-irritating: Many users appreciate that Neutrogena sunscreens are suitable for sensitive skin, including children and individuals prone to breakouts. They don’t leave a sticky residue and are generally well-tolerated.
4. Mixed opinions on texture and feel: While some consumers find Neutrogena sunscreens to be lightweight, absorb quickly, and leave a pleasant glow on the skin, others mention a slightly sticky or oily feeling after application.
5. Trustworthy brand: Neutrogena is often recognized as a reliable and trustworthy brand for sun protection, especially by those with fair or sensitive skin. Consumers appreciate the brand’s reputation and are willing to repurchase Neutrogena sunscreen products.

Conclusion

This blog post delved into the topic of sun protection through two lenses: analyzing the entire sun care category and exploring the “Best of the Best” products. Each analysis provided intriguing insights into consumer sentiment. Despite department store brands dominating the top spots, Neutrogena, a drugstore brand, consistently stood out, maintaining its position across different data slices.

You can unlock the same powerful insights for your brand and products. Discover the revolutionary capabilities of Revuze’s Generative AI-powered insights from online reviews, revolutionizing how you understand your category, brand, and products. Visit our website today to learn more and embark on a new era of consumer-driven decision-making.

Florence Broder