Help settle an argument about correct / safe sun screen practice?

Sunscreen uses chemicals to protect you and needs rubbed it, sunblock blocks the sun which is why it leaves a white tint and you apply it thicker. We use babo and badger sunblock to avoid the nasty chemicals

The nivia spray is like hair spray - doesn’t need rubbed in, dries in seconds and is applied in seconds - no stick hands no wet feeling, and can be reapplied in seconds

You have e to rub it in and then reapply at regular intervals.

Have you considered rash suits?

Oh and always the sun protection clothes if going in water, I see little kids running round splash pads in bikinis, it's insane. DS had always worn the ufp tops that come right up your neck and right down your arms. Used to wear the full length trousers too but now just long upf shorts as he's more active and complains about the trousers.

Put it on when getting dressed. Let that stuff soak in/dry. Then reapply when you get to your destination. No it doesn't want to be thick like ghosts. It's uncomfortable, sticky, more likely to run into their eyes and more likely to rub/wash off.

Australian here I’ve always been told that it shouldn’t be rubbed in fully as this can cause uneven coverage. Apply at least a teaspoon per limb and gentle smooth in but my kids have always visably had a white cast from the sunscreen sitting onntop then it absorbs. Then a rashie, hat

Did you apply suncream when you arrived?

If so you are in the wrong anyway!

Suncream should be applied about 20 minutes before exposure to the sun to allow it to absorb into each layer of skin for greatest protection.

The sprays don't stay thick so it doesn't matter how thick.

It should be reapplied after towel drying or wearing clothes as it removes dead skin and you need to make sure all layers are protected again.

Of course you rub it in

They be Vit D deficient at this rate

It needs to be rubbed in otherwise it'll just come off, surely?

I have fair skin and work outdoors, I wear sunscreen everyday from April to October (year round on my face) and never burn. I use Factor 50 in the morning half an hour before I go out, then Factor 30 every two hours or so. Always rubbed in thoroughly.

I also get a mole check once a year at the GP to put my mind at rest, never had any issues despite all my family being very "moley" people.

You might be being a bit OTT with the thick layer and not rubbing it in but better than the opposite.

Basically there are 2 types of sunscreen. One is based on chemical prevention which absorb UV rays and the other physical (e.g zinc/minerals) which reflect them away. Physical ones tend to be harder to rub in and can leave white marks but with nano particles in many sunscreens now that is less of an issue. Many sunscreens have both.

SPF rating only protects from UVB so you need something that also covers UVA - shown by a star rating and "UVA" in a circle. All need to be applied in larger quantity than most people realised and regularly. Do no trust "one a day" creams or waterproof, they can still be washed off or be rubbed off with friction for towels, clothing and sand.

SPF refers to how long it would prevent burning compared to not using sunscreen, but it's variable as if you are very fair and burn easily you'll need a higher SPF and apply it more often than someone who doesn't burn quickly.
Here's some advice:
https://www.ouh.nhs.uk/patient-guide/leaflets/files/121203skinandsun.pdf

https://www.britishskinfoundation.org.uk/blog/sunscreen-explained

https://www.cancerresearchuk.org/about-cancer/causes-of-cancer/sun-uv-and-cancer/sun-safety

I grew up in New Zealand and we have it drummed into us from a young age to use high factor sunscreen, cover up, wear hats and not get burnt. I did as I hated being sunburnt but still have sun damaged skin and my sister has had to have some pre cancerous skin cells removed. British people seem to be very blase about sun damage. (For Vitamin D, 10 minutes in normal daylight without sunscreen on is enough for most people to top up to normal levels).

Surely spf is less effective if you don’t rub it in? Because then anything you touch or rub up against just rubs it off?

You're meant to rub it in. The instructions say something about it reacting with something in the skin to activate the protection.

This is about a study of how it is less effective if applied too thinly.

lol your poor kids must look brilliant if it gets dark.

Rub it in lol

Worth reading any of the online guidance as most people don't use enough or frequently enough....even once a day rubs off of some areas like the face as you wipe your brow....
NHS guidelines below

You need to work out how long they can be in the sun without burning, without any sun protection. Then multiply that by the SPF factor. Whatever that number is, is the max. minutes they can be in the sun regardless of how much you put on, so if they have a burn time of 5 minutes and you use SPF 50, you get 5x50=250 minutes, just over 4 hours.

Application-wise, follow the instructions on the bottle- some manufacturers are different, but you do need a fair bit, and quite a lot need to be rubbed in, as they "bond" with the skin to protect it. Some of the kids stuff if coloured so you can see where you've missed bits.

The highest SPF allowed to be marketed in the UK is 50+ (following Australian principles). This is because a higher factor apparently makes people complacent and they don't reapply it and end up worse off.

Ds is white blonde and very fair skin, me too. We use an all day factor 50 but top it up too. All day would be Ultrasun

https://www.amazon.co.uk/ultrasun-50-SPF-Extreme-100/dp/B01BKF2K0G

then topping up later in the day we use a spray but not Ambre Solaire which feels sticky. We use Coppertone Sport which copes well with sweat. We have used this for years in Florida and been out all day but hats on to protect from the harsh heat.

We put the all day on them when they were just in their underwear, wait the specified time then dress them.

Rub it in, but remember to re apply every few hours.

Have you tried the P20 or Calypso Once A Day?
I'm a Ginger with very fair skin, burn at under a hot bulb type person. I've used both in the UK, Europe and Caribbean and not burnt. You do have to make sure you cover every bit or you will get caught out, but I've not had to reapply during the day or after swimming.

Rub it in op, I’m not convinced it’s doing any more good with you not. Use ‘all day’ suncream if it helps you feel better, you can always pop it on once in the morning and again after lunch if it makes you feel any better but tbh, you sound a bit paranoid to me, we all do need a bit of sun on the skin- even just 10 mins here and there. Be careful not to pass on this anxiety to your kids- are they really never outside between 11 and 2?

I've always rubbed it in but I'm quite relaxed about a bit of sun exposure in moderation. Leaving it on thickly probably protects slightly better but not proportionately to how much more cream you're using/wasting.

I do prefer hats and natural shade (eg picnicking in the shade of a tree) together with sunblock rather than relying solely on sunblock though. Or as a pp said, cover up with clothing.

Sunblock sweats off so easily when it's hot.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p089k7js

I have one pale child, we always rub the sunscreen in well 15 minutes before going outside, then reapply frequently and always after being in the water. He also wears a uv safe shirt and always wear a hat:

Mountain Warehouse Kids Rash Vest - UV Protection Rash Guard, Long Sleeves Childrens Rash Shirt, Flat Seams, Quick Drying, Stretch Fabric - Ideal for Swimming, amzn.eu/d/03nRRd2Q amzn.eu/d/03nRRd2Q