When it comes to customer satisfaction, it seems SunSense is at the top of the game. A recent survey of almost 2000 adults by consumer service Canstar Blue found SunSense was the only brand to achieve a five-star rating for overall customer satisfaction.
Participants were asked to rate 13 different sunscreens across a range of categories. Four different brands managed to pick up a five-star rating for effectiveness, but failed to get top marks in regards to value for money.
“Naturally consumers are most concerned about the effectiveness of sunscreen, but plenty of other factors are also important to people. After effectiveness, texture and consistency was the next biggest driver of customer satisfaction, followed by value for money. Some might not use it as much as they should, but Aussies know their sunscreen and they know what they like,” says Ego Pharmaceuticals managing director Alan Oppenheim.
The survey found the majority of Australians carry regrets about their exposure to the sun and have concerns about skin cancer – but despite this, they continue to ignore health warnings.
The Canstar Blue survey found 66 per cent of respondents wished they had been better protected from the sun when they were younger. For Baby Boomers, that number rose to 75 per cent. That being said, 63 per cent admitted they still don’t protect themselves as well as they should.
“Young Australians seem to be making the same mistakes as their parents and grandparents. While a greater percentage of older Aussies admit to sun safety mistakes in the past, it’s now young people who are most guilty of ignoring the slip, slop, slap message and could live to regret it,” says Canstar Blue spokesman Simon Downes.
Statistics from the survey showed 15 per cent admitted to sunbaking regularly, and 22 per cent often get sunburnt. A further 81 per cent revealed they had concerns about skin cancer, while 42 per cent get regular mole checks.
“The failure to learn from our mistakes is particularly surprising given that four out of five adults have concerns about skin cancer. Too many people seem to have fallen into the ‘it won’t happen to me’ trap. It’s shocking that so many Aussies are regularly getting sun burnt – despite all the warnings, and their own concerns.”
Survey respondents were also asked how often they use sunscreen in summer and winter. In summer, 21 per cent apply it all the time, 49 per cent do most of the time, 26 per cent use it only occasionally, and 3 per cent rarely use it. As for winter, only 5 per cent of participants use sunscreen all of the time, with 14 per cent using it most of the time, 29 per cent occasionally, 29 per cent rarely, and 23 per cent never apply sunscreen.
“Cancer Council Australia warns that Australians need sun protection whenever the UV index is three or above, with those in some parts of the country advised to use sunscreen all year round. But that message is not being followed by everyone. As you would expect, survey respondents in Queensland are most likely to use sun block in winter, but most of those only do so occasionally or rarely.”
