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LloydsPharmacy Solero sun cream feedback thread. Non tester - Skin care hamper to be won! NOW CLOSED

355 replies

JustineBMumsnet · 06/06/2016 14:24

This is the feedback thread for the 250 Mumsnetters who tested LloydsPharmacy Solero sun creams.

Here’s what LloydsPharmacy has to say: “April 2016 sees the launch of our reformulated and re-packaged own brand of suncare range, Solero. We understand that our customers’ skin is as unique as they are, which is why we have introduced a range of suncream that is perfect for every type of skin – an ultra-sensitive range for skin prone to eczema (atopic dermatitis) and psoriasis, which has been dermatologically tested and approved, and a triple defence range that protects from 3 types of harmful rays, UV-A, UV-B and Infrared-A”

Non-tester? For a chance to win a LloydsPharmacy skin care hamper worth over £75 answer the below question:

  • What are your favourite holiday destinations for taking the kids away?

    Testers, please ensure that you have completed this survey and left feedback below to be entered into the £300 voucher prize draw.

    Below are some questions, but please feel free to add any other comments you have regarding your testing of LloydsPharmacy Solero sun cream:

    Q1: When and where did you test the sun cream?
    Q2: How did you think LloydsPharmacy Solero compared to the brand you normally use?

    Thanks, and good luck!

    MNHQ

    Standard Insight T&Cs apply
LloydsPharmacy Solero sun cream feedback thread. Non tester - Skin care hamper to be won! NOW CLOSED
OP posts:
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Intotheclouds · 07/06/2016 08:31

I think my survey has gone through, but I kept coming up with needing a comment on q.8.

We tested the sun cream at home in our garden and when going to the park.
I like the suncream as it is easy to apply and it doesn't have a strong smell to it like a lot of other brands do.
The only thing I didn't like was it didn't seem to soak into the skin that well as we was constantly sticky after we applied it.

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SweetPeaPods · 07/06/2016 09:19
  1. We tested them both yesterday when we went on a play date at a friends house and spent the day in garden.
  2. I'll be honest but I much prefer our usual brand. I usually use Piz Buin and Sunsense Kids. I much prefer how they smell and leave the skin after. I do however prefer the price!

Thank you for allowing us to test.
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Firewall · 07/06/2016 10:11

Q1: When and where did you test the sun cream?
In the park at the weekend
Q2: How did you think LloydsPharmacy Solero compared to the brand you normally use?
It was nice to apply. Very easy. Applied well but needed a decent amount for coverage. The only problem with it is the brand I usually use is one that says all day protection so you only need to apply it once whereas this is every two hours. As such this one is not really suitable for kids on school days. Also, it seemed to stain clothes leaving yellow marks, I have already washed the items and the stains have remained even after wash

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Mrswhatsisname · 07/06/2016 11:47

We received our two samples and tested them over the weekend and the beginning of the school week. One was a spray and the other a lotion.

The lotion is reasonably thick and took some rubbing in, which isn't a criticism - it went on well and I felt that I had adequately protected the kids and it would have some staying power. There's no strong smell, and over all I liked it. The kids haven't burned despite only applying it in the morning before school, with no chance to re-apply.

The spray is a much thinner consistency, and sprays evenly. My only criticism of the spray is that once you have sprayed it and rubbed it in you will inevitably have slippery hands and there is no grip on the bottle making it difficult to spray it for subsequent applications. The spray itself was great, rubbed in easily and performed well.

Both were tested with the use of a paddling pool - the kids were in and out all day Sunday and I could still feel the cream on their skin.

Of the two, I preferred the lotion. My daughter suffers with eczema and there has been no reaction to it which is great. I usually buy Nivea or Soltan (depending on what's on offer when I'm shopping), but this is a great alternative and I may well buy more in the future. I certainly like the price.

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dp87 · 07/06/2016 11:54

I tested the kids suncream and the ultra sensitive suncream over the weekend and it worked very well. Neither of my 2 children nor myself got sun burn despite it being very hot.

I loved that the smell wasn't very strong as this puts me off a lot of sun creams.

The only issue I had was that both of the creams took awhile to soak into the skin, the kids one especially took a lot of time to rub in. That meant I had tow complaining children who just wanted to go play. I think that the cream is a little too thick.

Other than that I was very impressed with the results

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fsouthwell · 07/06/2016 12:04

Q1: When and where did you test the sun cream?
I tested the sun cream in the UK – during the nice weather over the weekend - on both my 6 year old and my 6 month old (kids) and myself (triple protect)

Q2: How did you think LloydsPharmacy Solero compared to the brand you normally use?
It smelt great, was really easy to apply and soaked in well. I was quite impressed at the fact it didn’t leave a really greasy finish and was happy that it lasted a good length of time. Overall, it compared favourably to the brands I would normally use and I would definitely use it again and recommend it to others – my only issue would be price. The brand I usually purchase is only £5 in supermarkets, so if this goes on sale at £7 in Lloyds Pharmacy as suggested in the survey, I don’t think I would go out of my way to buy it.

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SmileAndNod · 07/06/2016 12:12
  1. We tested suncream pottering about at home at the weekend
  2. I found the spray in particular very difficult to use - maybe it was a faulty bottle but the spray went all over the kitchen floor rather than their bodies! It also felt quite difficult to rub in, and left suncream marks on clothing.

I have to say that I prefer the brand we usually use (ultrasun) as it's easier to apply and is a once a day application, but thank you for letting us try it out.
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asuwere · 07/06/2016 12:13

We had the kids spray and the sensitive lotion.
Q1: When and where did you test the sun cream?
At home, put on in the morning yesterday before school/nursery.

Q2: How did you think LloydsPharmacy Solero compared to the brand you normally use?
To be honest, I'm not a fan and neither were the kids. It doesn't soak in well and I could still feel a slight stickiness on my skin a few hours later. The kids all went to school very shiny! It worked, none of us burnt so can't fault it in that respect.
Although the spray worked, it is difficult to not get it on the walls/floor, or you have to have it really close to skin in which case a normal bottle would be just as good. And the spray bottle does get slippy to hold.
I did like the size of the bottles though and they would be perfect for in the car or handbag. And neither of them had a strong smell which is good.

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Minisoksmakehardwork · 07/06/2016 12:16

Well our sun cream arrived on a typical British summer's day - wet and windy. But we did manage to get the chance to try it out yesterday. A full day outside in sun and heat with very little shade.

Initially I was very sceptical. We got the spf 50 kids spray and the spf 50 ultra sensitive lotion. Normally I only use a spf 30 as the kids all end up with heat rash whatever brand of spf 50 I've used.

Both felt quite thick, although this was a positive as I felt they would give a good protection. The cream started soaking in before I had finished applying which was good. Normally I slather it all over, wipe my hands and then finish off rubbing it in. I didn't have to with this, which saves time, cream and also stopped me getting absolutely covered in un-rubbed in cream.

The dc didn't object to having cream put on too much, sprays are definitely a quick way of mass covering but the bottle ended up slippery as there was no grip on it. I assume larger bottles would have. It soaked in well and they didn't complain that they felt sticky or that it stung for too long when I accidentally caught an eye!

Having checked out the price compared to my usual brand it is only £1 dearer if I can get it on the 2 for £8 offer. I wouldn't buy it if it wasn't on offer simply because of the cost - I usually buy Nivea from Savers so it's only £2.99 a bottle. We would easily get through a bottle in a day if applied properly.

At the end of the day, I noticed no signs of heat rash except on youngest daughter.

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Teabird · 07/06/2016 12:24

I used it on my dd who is 3. She is blonde and very fair skinned. I loved it, the spray bottle was great and it didn't seem greasy at at all. We have been having temperatures of 25 degrees here so I applied it three times a day. I normally use boots own which is much thicker and seems to sit on the skin rather than soaking in. My husband used the sensitive one and liked it. He is also fair and he didn't burn at all. He liked the fact it wasn't perfumed and so didn't smell as girly!

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DoubleMammy · 07/06/2016 12:30

Q1: When and where did you test the sun cream? Tested at the weekend when it was quite sunny. Went on a day trip to the farm, so were outdoors most of the day.

Q2: How did you think LloydsPharmacy Solero compared to the brand you normally use?
I thought it was good, my daughter is fair and she didn't burn or tan - the same with me and my husband. The only negative is that it was a bit sticky and took a while to sink in - my 2 year old was not very patient and wasn't too receptive to standing around having this rubbed in, as it was taking a while.

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VilootShesCute · 07/06/2016 12:32

We used ours over boiling hot weekend at home in garden.

My son hates sun cream but said this one was manageable (such a drama queen) so we are very happy. It protected the toddler well and we all prefered it to the awful nivea one we had previously which bought my dd up in hives. Nice. Both were used and we were really impressed with them. Thank you!

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Bambooshoots14 · 07/06/2016 12:34

Q1: When and where did you test the sun cream?

This weekend in the garden

Q2: How did you think LloydsPharmacy Solero compared to the brand you normally use?

I liked the spray bottle and it didn't irritate my 2 year olds sensitive skin. I don't think it absorbed as well as other less creamy brands. His arms were tanned by the other day which hasn't happened (even in Thailand) with other 50+ sun creams. He is very fair so I don't think I'd buy this again

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SmileyShazza · 07/06/2016 12:40

We tested the Solero Kids Spray and the Solero Triple Defence IRA

We tested the sun cream during the hot weather at the weekend and yesterday as DS was off school on INSET dat. We were mostly either in our back garden playing, in the park or playing outside at playgroup. I used the kids spray on DS aged 5 and DD aged 2.5 years and I used the cream on myself - none of us burnt or had any pinkness to the skin.

In terms of effectiveness I was pleased with the way the product performed, as I mentioned none of us had any kind of sun burn or pinkness to the skin despite being outside for a considerable amount of time in the blazing sunshine yesterday. However I felt the spray especially left my hands feeling very greasy after I'd rubbed it into my childrens skin - this made using the spray very difficult as my finger just slipped everytime I tried to press the spray nozzle. Even after wiping the hands repeatedly with baby wipes they still felt greasy - in the end I had to wash my hands to remove the greasy residue which may not be possible if you were at the beach or not near a tap.

The fact they products aren't heavily perfumed was a bonus especially when it came to the children. Personally I prefer a lotion for myself with some kind of fragrance but thats because I like the aroma as it reminds me of being on holiday. The name was a bit wishy washy - all I could think about was the well known ice cream with the same name.

I'm not sure I would purchase these items again. Although the price is reasonable I usually buy our normal brand when it's on offer and this brings the price pretty much in line with the Lloyds products. Overall whilst I was happy with the performance of the items we tested I don't think I would swap brands based on that alone.

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ilovepoppygreen · 07/06/2016 12:49

Q1: When and where did you test the sun cream? We tested this yesterday on a long day out at the park and in the Garden. Prefect weather!!
Q2: How did you think LloydsPharmacy Solero compared to the brand you normally use? Very well. The spray was nicer to apply as seemed thinner consistency. It left a slight sticky shimmer to the kids but it did the job my 7mo and my 6yo who are both fair lasted a whole day playing in and out of shade and have not burnt. I did make the 7mo prone to bits sticking to him where the sun cream had a tackyness to the skin but I find this with most sun creams which is why I tend to go for high factor oils. The cream I used on myself also as I'm very fair and I felt it was a thicker consistency than the spray it went on well and again it protected my skin well. We thought it smelt nice a slight smell of vanilla is what my daughter said.

Overall we were pleased.

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TrixieBernadette · 07/06/2016 13:23

Q1: When and where did you test the sun cream?
Child tested the kids range on Sunday, at a water activity they were at all day (kayaking etc)
Q2: How did you think LloydsPharmacy Solero compared to the brand you normally use?
Disappointed.

I loved the size of the kids bottle, loved the idea that it could go in the bag, kids use it themselves etc. But it wasn't good. Application says every 1-2 hours, so less than our usual brand. Instead of being a light, clearish, easy to absorb lotion, it was thick and cloggy. DS1 hated it so much he refused to put it on again (9 and with ASD). DS2 tried to apply himself half way through the day, but found it so hard it didn't offer the protection it should have done. With our usual sprays, they can apply themselves and rarely go red, but sadly Sunday they did. I know aged 8 a parent would ideally apply it, but with school and activities I was hoping for something (other than the huge bottle they take and invariably lose or leaks) they could have. The lotion didn't feel nice on my hands when I applied it either, and I'm not convinced by the factor 50 claim tbh.

I will test the adult one this week if I can face the same white thick gloop (ASD myself)

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RockingDuck · 07/06/2016 13:26

Q1 We have tested this sun cream at home in the garden, and in the mornings before the walk to school on sunny days. we had a spray and a cream.

  1. I really liked them, the cream is thick yet easy to put on, they both seem to be hypoallergenic , and the spray is quick. Among the best I've ever used, better than supermarket own brands, for example. There was no sunburn - and the sun was strong particularly on a day that ds2 had a football match at midday (genius) so well pleased. Thanks.
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PrincessofPersil · 07/06/2016 13:59

Q1: When and where did you test the sun cream?

Over the past week at home and on day trips.

Q2: How did you think Lloyds Pharmacy Solero compared to the brand you normally use?

The products were OK - they were light and easily absorbed and didn't irritate my child's skin. I didn't like that they needed to be applied every 1-2 hours, as my current cream (Soltan) lasts for 8 hours. Similarly, the product has just a 3-star UVA rating, and my current product has 5. This product is much cheaper than my current product (although if you factor in reapplying it several times each day, it might work out to be more expensive). Based on this, I wouldn't buy them.

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Griselda · 07/06/2016 14:04

I tested the children's spray and the sensitive cream. I have fair skinned 5 and 8 year old girls. We were in the UK and tested over 3 days of the hot weekend. The spray functioned OK but I have come to the conclusion that sprays aren't for me - I can't use them after getting my hands greasy. They both went on the same - thin and spread well but very very greasy. Left a layer of shiny grease on my hands and their skin. Older one refused to put on her face again because it left it shiny for hours.

I was disappointed the recommendation was to reapply after 1 hour because, like others, I put it on before school.

The adult cream applied in the same way. It was a thin layer which soaked in well and didn't cause my skin to become irritated but my arms had an oily sheen for a few hours.

I usually use Ambre Solaire (when it's on special) which I feel is much less greasy.
Thank you for the samples, I will keep them as emergency cover, but I don't think I would buy them again

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FoxTeaParty · 07/06/2016 14:04

We tested the ultra sensitive and the kids.

Q1. I used both the creams over the weekend. The consistency of both creams is good. The kids being abit thinner than the ultra sensitive. I liked both of them, the ultra wasnt too thick, which i really dislike.
The pump action is handy and i like the size of the little bottles so i wouldnt have to carry a big bottle around in my bag. No reaction from my daughters who have sensitive skin which is obviously a priority.

On saturday we went to our local beach where my children went in and out of the sea and seemed to roll in the sand! The cream did its job well as it was a very hot day. I didn't get a chance to reapply every 2 hours as stated and we didnt have any issues.

On sunday we spent a very hot day in the garden with the paddling pool, garden sprinkler and water fights. The cream didnt budge and seemed very water resistant.

The only negative i have is that even after 10 hours of being applied my daughter still had sticky skin from the cream which wasnt great but not something that would put me off completely.

Q2. I use lots of different brands and have used lloyds before. I much prefer the consistency of both creams to the nivea one i currently have which is so thick it takes ages to rub in.

I would definitely buy this product after using it and i have recommended it to a friend who has a 8 month old with bad eczema and has struggled to find a cream that doesnt irritate his skin.

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Goldenhandshake · 07/06/2016 14:11

Online survey completed.

Sun cream (senstive) and kids spray tested in the park during the blazing sunshine this weekend.

The sensitive cream was very good for my eczema prone youngest, took a bit of rubbing in but I find that with most spf 50's to be honest. Nice mild smell too.

Spray perfect for my eldest, quick to apply and she did not burn at all and also commented she liked the smell.

I usually use Nivea for the kids, this one actually rubbed in better, I prefer Nivea's smell personally, but for the children the mild one is better and I am happy the sensitive cream seemed to not irritate youngest child's skin.

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AnnieBetts1 · 07/06/2016 14:36

I tested the cream and spray at the weekend whilst my children were out in the sun for most of the day. The cream and spray were equally effective and there was no skin reaction on my eczema prone daughter.

I usually buy supermarket own brand suncreams for sensitive skin for my children. The Lloyds cream was comparable, so I wouldn't necessarily buy it in the future unless it was on offer below the price of a supermarket sensitive product.

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Mulligrubs · 07/06/2016 14:50

I noticed that the UVA protection of the Lloyds Solero suncream is 3 stars. I think that's quite poor compared to the fact most suncream have 5 stars (I usually use Morrisons suncream for kids, it's less than £4 a bottle so I was a tad unimpressed with the Lloyds suncream before I actually tested it, sorry!)

Q1: When and where did you test the sun cream?
We tested it over a couple of days this weekend and yesterday, it's been really hot. We did the usual stuff, went to the park, out in the garden enjoying the sun (tested on my 7month old and 2.7yr old

Q2: How did you think LloydsPharmacy Solero compared to the brand you normally use?
It is good, it did the job - I liked both the spray bottle version and the normal cream version equally. Neither of the kids burned after being out in the sun for a few hours and having a couple of reapplications of the suncream. Both children have sensitive skin and neither had a reaction to the suncream so I was pleased about that! It wasn't too runny, was easy to apply etc so all in all it was good.

As I stated above though, I'd only ever buy suncream for my children with a 5 star UV rating. This suncream only has 3. I'll stick to Morrisons but I would buy this only if I was out and forgot suncream or maybe as a spare for in my baby changebag, I won't replace my current brand.

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doctorboo · 07/06/2016 15:34

Q1: When and where did you test the sun cream?. We tested the sun cream over the last week in our garden and at my mother in laws house.

Q2: How did you think LloydsPharmacy Solero compared to the brand you normally use? I like the fact that the tester wasn't runny and was easy to apply - it gave good coverage, but was strangely sticky after application and stayed that way until it was scrubbed off during bath time. It seemed to do the job though as my none of my boys turned pink.
My boys all have sensitive skin and didn't break out which was a big positive. We use Garnier Ambre Solaire Sensitive Advanced, which is a mist spray. It's RRP is much higher than Lloyds Own brand but I didn't see a difference in performance so I would be willing to switch i think.

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TheColdDoesBotherMeAnyway · 07/06/2016 15:52

We tested the 'kids' and 'sensitive' suncreams in the garden last weekend, which included using them in the paddling pool.

We usually use Soltan Once because I like that I can put it on the dds first thing and they are then protected all day at school. It's also usually on offer so a good deal. I wouldn't buy the Lloyds products again for a few reasons - the UVA rating is a disappointing 3 stars (compared to Soltan's 5 and Nivea's 4); the fact that reapplication is every 2 hours so it therefore wouldn't be suitable for a full school day; and I found the spray bottle extremely hard to use and the lotion that came out was too thin so it dripped everywhere. Thanks for letting us test it but no I wouldn't buy it again.

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