In early August, a Chinese consumer accidentally inhaled sunscreen spray while applying it to his face, resulting in lung inflammation. This incident has ignited widespread discussions concerning the safety of sunscreen sprays on Chinese social media, as they carry the risk of being inhaled into the lungs and may be improperly used. In fact, this isn't the first instance where the safety of such products has come under attention.

The critical factor related to inhalation risk lies in the particle size of the sunscreen spray. It is internationally acknowledged that particles with diameter less than 10 micrometers carry the risk of being inhaled into the lungs. Currently, the majority of sunscreen sprays available on the market are the hydraulic type. These sprays utilize low-boiling, volatile liquids like propane, butane, and isobutane as propellants which are used to create pressure differential for spraying sunscreen ingredients. When particle sizes fall below 10 micrometers, sunscreen agents like titanium dioxide and zinc oxide are likely to be inhaled, potentially causing lung damage. 

Hydraulic type sunscreen sprays

Examples of improper usage include directly applying the spray to the face, using it in confined spaces, using it within a close range for extended duration, etc. Additionally, as propellants in hydraulic sunscreen sprays are flammable, improper usage could raise the risk of explosions, especially when exposed to an open flame.

Improper usage of sunscreen sprays

In recent years, China's sunscreen market has experienced a noticeable growth trajectory, driven by the heightened awareness of sun protection among consumers. According to Euromonitor, from 2016 to 2021, China's sunscreen market size grew from 9.3 to 16.7 billion yuan, with an impressive compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 12.4%. Looking ahead, it is estimated that by 2026, the market will further expand to 26.4 billion yuan, with an anticipated CAGR of 9.6% from 2021 to 2026. Notably, despite a small market share, sunscreen sprays have gained growing popularity among consumers due to their convenience, refreshing feel, and quick-drying nature. This has led to their increasingly widespread use, especially during outdoor activities like hiking, mountain climbing, camping, and beach outings. Data from Netvoices shows that the sunscreen spray market witnessed a substantial growth in 2022. On the one hand, sunscreen sprays gained huge traction on social media platforms like Douyin and Xiaohongshu, leading to a remarkable surge of online exposure. On the other hand, the gross merchandise volume (GMV) of sunscreen spray products on Ali e-commerce platforms increased by 41.13% YoY, far outpacing the overall beauty market in 2022. ¹

Popular sunscreen spray products in China

The recent incident underscores the importance of the safe use of sunscreen spray, especially as the demand for these products continues to grow. Addressing these concerns requires collaborative efforts from regulatory authorities, brands, and consumers. To strengthen the monitoring of adverse reactions related to cosmetics for effective management of safety risks in cosmetic products, China's National Medical Products Administration (NMPA) issued "Measures for the Management of Cosmetic Adverse Reaction Monitoring" on October 1, 2022. Additionally, in February of this year, China National Institutes for Food and Drug Control (NIFDC) opened public consultation on a series of technical guidelines for sun protection factor (SPF) and waterproof performance determination, as well as acute inhalation toxicity testing, laying down more stringent requirements for sunscreen products.

From brands' perspective, it is essential for them to strengthen consumer education and guide the proper usage of sunscreen sprays, thereby enhancing consumers' safety awareness. While most sunscreen spray products are packaged with usage instructions and warning labels like "Avoid direct facial application", Do not inhale", "Maintain a safe spraying distance", some brands still fall short in providing adequate risk warnings, and some even make exaggerated claims and misleading demonstrations for marketing purposes. But only brands that steadfastly embrace regulatory challenges and uphold stringent product standards can establish a firm foothold amidst the ever-evolving market landscape.

Safety warning labels and usage instructions

As for consumers, it is crucial for them to take heed of warnings and reminders on sunscreen spray product labels. They should actively enhance their safety awareness and use sunscreen spray products in a scientifically accurate manner.

**Disclaimer: All images used in this article are from the internet.