An automatic dispenser for dispensing a product stored therein includes an active IR sensor system for detecting a user. The IR system includes emitters and receivers which are mounted so that each IR emitter's active emitting portion protrudes outwardly from an outer surface of the housing and each IR receiver's active receiving portion is recessed behind that outer surface, such that the outward protrusion of the active receiving portion from the outer surface of the housing is less than the outward protrusion of the active emitting portion. The outer surface of the housing in question is preferably at the bottom of the housing next to the discharge outlet. This arrangement allows a reliable and accurate IR reception field to be obtained with a shape more suited to expected user positioning.