Warning over popular $39 Kmart item with unique feature

After it sold out over summer last year, the budget retailer has brought back this cult item. But not everyone is a fan.

A sellout product from Kmart has just been re-released and gone viral again for the same very unique reason it did last year.

The $39 Palm Sun Lounger Face Down is a cleverly designed beach chair that features an in-built hole for your face to rest comfortably while relaxing at the beach, along with two convenient gaps for your arms.

The “genius” item allows you to lie face down on your stomach, as you would on a massage table, and read, snack, or scroll on your phone while your neck is cradled by cushy padding.

Shoppers have just gotten wind of the summer must-have and have taken to social media to rave about it.

“If you live in Australia, run, don’t walk to Kmart,” Perth-based PT, Nicole Gordon, said in a TikTok.

“I got a new chair!” she announced, showing off the chair’s face hole feature.

According to the budget retailer’s website, the sun lounger is said to be “an ideal pick for relaxing by the beach or poolside.”

It comes in both a blue palm print and a colourful striped design, and features a convenient side pouch, a detachable pillow and carry handles for easy transport.

Commenters were immediately hooked on the concept, with the clip racking up nearly a million views.

“Always find something interesting at Kmart,” one said.

“OMG I saw this in Kmart and debated whether to buy it or not! SOLD!” someone else admitted.

“This is amazing, my neck NEEDS THIS!” remarked a third.

And customers already on the bandwagon confirmed it’s worth the hype.

One user claimed, “It’s my favourite thing to have ever purchased.”

“I’m obsessed with mine,” shared another.

The woman who claimed to have made the chair sell out last year is back at it again this year, singing its praises. Picture: TikTok/@itsbrittrogerson

Some have said it looks like an X-rated massage chair. Picture: @lillylouisegeorgett

However, others who are well-versed in Australian beach culture warned that the product might enable people to spend too much time in the sun.

“I’d be very careful being in the hot Aussie sun! Please make sure you do your regular skin checks,” advised one local.

“PLEASE don't run to Kmart unless it’s for sunscreen, you’re worth more than a tan,” wrote another.

“Girl run into the shade,” quipped a third.

Ms Gordon addressed the concern in the comments, assuring that she is a “big advocate” for sunscreen.

The chair has a face hole, arm slots and a detachable pillow. Picture: Kmart

It’s also easy to set up and carry. Picture: Kmart

Elsewhere on TikTok, creator Britt Rogerson, who claimed to have caused the product to sell out last year, took to the platform once again to sing its praises.

“They’ve brought back the viral sun lounger. It sold out so quickly it just landed back online. Run guys so you don’t miss out!” she said.

Lily Louise Geogett also showed off the chair in another clip, clarifying to men that it is “a sun lounger,” in case they thought it resembled something more explicit.

“I got the last one at Kmart!” she said proudly.

According to the website, the chair is marked as “low stock” or “out of stock” in most stores but is still available to purchase online.

People warned that the chair could encourage unsafe sun practices. Picture: Rohan Kelly.

Australians face the highest incidence of skin cancer in the world, with about two out of three Aussies diagnosed with some form of skin cancer during their lifetime.

Non-melanoma (keratinocyte) skin cancer is the most common cancer diagnosed in Australia, according to The Cancer Council.

Over 1 million treatments are given each year in Australia for this type of skin cancer.

Anyone of any age can develop skin cancer but it becomes more common as you get older.

The Cancer Council recommends sun protection whenever UV is three or above, regardless of the time of day or time of year.