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Original poster

Kids still getting sunburnt despite Suncream and hats?!

55 replies

maria2bela1 · 18/08/2024 10:35

So I've been applying SPF 50 to kids which is also water resistant, but my 3 year old has woken up with red cheeks this morning, and my 6yo the same a few days ago. They also wear caps and were not in the sun for that long yesterday, is there anything I'm not using or missing out on?

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Copperoliverbear · 19/08/2024 08:10

But could have easily picked something up from kids club. X

Copperoliverbear · 19/08/2024 08:08

You need to apply the sunscreen every few hours I'd say and make sure you buy a new one every year as it runs out of date, it only has a twelve month shelf life x

Switcher · 19/08/2024 07:26

Surprised kids don't have vitamin D deficiency with this level of sun care! I don't bother at all in the UK after 3pm and if they are not at the beach I might only dab a bit of their noses/back of boys necks really.

TimetoPour · 19/08/2024 07:20

IamnotSethRogan · 18/08/2024 19:41

Have you tried p20? They do a kids factor 50. My children are very fair and we've just returned from ibiza and neither of them burnt. It also lasts 10 hours (bit less if in the water) but I couldn't recommend it more.

I love P20 but always use the spf 30 as it has 5 stars. The spf 50 only has 4 stars. X

Lavenderblossoms · 19/08/2024 06:58

Superdrug's own brand is amazing. It came out top on a list of suncreams that actually work.

This doesn't surprise me as I have very fair skin that is prone to burning so I use adult factor 50. It works great for me.

Remaker · 19/08/2024 06:41

maria2bela1 · 18/08/2024 11:26

@Remaker As I look closely there are no blisters on cheeks so I am starting to think this isn't sunburn, they've also been attending a kids summer club here and there last 2 weeks so could have easily picked something up

How are they now?

RedBrickArc · 18/08/2024 20:29

We’ve been using Nivea Protect Sensitive this week and I’m v impressed with it. It claims to offer immediate protection which I think is key as most have to be applied before sun exposure.

Azaleahead · 18/08/2024 20:22

i once thought DH was badly burned but it turned out to be an allergic reaction to that brand of suncream.
Sounds more likely than sunburn if you weren’t even out until 3.30pm

Arrivapercy · 18/08/2024 20:17

I'd be amazed if this is actual sunburn in the uk with high factor applied, after 3 in the afternoon, on a cloudy day

Feverblack · 18/08/2024 20:17

After 3.30 yesterday in London the UV was pretty low - I check religiously as very very pale kids, I didn’t reapply their cream from the morning and they were fine. It doesn’t sound like sunburn. Could be viral or could also actually be a reaction to that brand of suncream - look up photosensitive sunscreen allergy - will cause a reaction when that creamed area is in the sun! My DC had this with a new cream a few weeks ago and I was freaking out thinking it was burn esp was a strange geometric shape, disappeared with piriton.

Straightouttachelmsford · 18/08/2024 20:17

Clouds make no difference to UV, look at the level for the day and adjust accordingly.

The factor is only the amount of time you can spend in the sun before burning x 50 so there is a limit. I burn very, very quickly, so even with cream I burn over time. I just stay inside, it's easier!

UniqueCrow · 18/08/2024 20:14

Frieda2024 · 18/08/2024 10:45

Apart from all the points already raised, if they are not burnt, could it be a reaction/ irritation to sth maybe? Is it only on the cheeks? Maybe put a non fragranced emollient on in the evening to help it go down. I find Aloe gel great.
Try and keep children out of direct sun between 11 am and 3pm (difficult i know).

Yes this

Hello87abc · 18/08/2024 19:50

You are supposed to apply 30 mins before going out

jannier · 18/08/2024 19:47

maria2bela1 · 18/08/2024 10:57

Thanks all, just to clarify they were not in pool, I was just mentioning the water resistance aspect of cream as I thought this meant it was stronger, they were out after 3.30pm yesterday on a roofless bouncy castle, but it was cloudy for a lot of the time and I applied the sunscreen just before they went out. I'm starting to think the cream I'm using isn't good, we went to Dubai in 30 degree heat for the whole week and they never got burnt once, but I was using a different sunscreen..

You need to put cream on at least 15 minutes before going out and thick enough to see

IamnotSethRogan · 18/08/2024 19:41

Have you tried p20? They do a kids factor 50. My children are very fair and we've just returned from ibiza and neither of them burnt. It also lasts 10 hours (bit less if in the water) but I couldn't recommend it more.

FunLurker · 18/08/2024 19:32

Sunsetbeachhouse · 18/08/2024 12:08

There is more context to this making your post alittle mis leading. Refer to the nhs which has information explaining how it all works. Spf value is important and needs to be considered in the overall protection cream gives.

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Agree that's why I said I wasn't sure if it was true. I believe the stars are the spf levels but really don't understand it

Notimeforaname · 18/08/2024 12:31

I don't understand what you mean by "children’s " and "adults" suncream
They are sold by spf??
Suncream for kids. Lots of brands do this.

mm81736 · 18/08/2024 12:23

Irridescantshimmmer · 18/08/2024 10:53

Sunscreens are unregulated in the UK, so manufacturers can limit the amount of light reflecting molecules, which block the suns' rays in their lotions, if they choose to.

Zinc oxide or titanium dioxide, and others.

So as an experiment, I compared a childs' factor 50 sunscreen with an adults a few years ago and I burned. In fact I burned like I would with no sunscreen and my skin is naturally as white as a sheet.

So, some kids sunscreen is a diluted version of the adults, now where on earth they think that's acceptable it absolutely isn't, so parents and at least 2 options as to what sunscreen they wish to use on their DC.

I don't understand what you mean by "children’s " and "adults" suncream
They are sold by spf?

RaspberryRipple2 · 18/08/2024 12:13

I wouldn’t think it is sunburn - I wouldn’t consider applying sun cream in the UK in late August after 3.30 (would only use if out of it all day) - the sun is the same strength as late April/early May now as we’re nearly 2 months post solstice. If you’ve used a different one or it’s an older bottle it’s probably a reaction, my daughter has this to sun cream and it’s always on the cheeks even when the cream hasn’t been applied there (I never put it on her face anyway she just wears a hat)

Sunsetbeachhouse · 18/08/2024 12:08

FunLurker · 18/08/2024 10:37

Years ago I was told it makes bo difference on spf if theirs not 5 stars on the bottle, not sure if this is true but I always make sure to buy bottles with 5 stars. Also you could try a sun block stick after you've applied the cream.

There is more context to this making your post alittle mis leading. Refer to the nhs which has information explaining how it all works. Spf value is important and needs to be considered in the overall protection cream gives.

FormerlyPathologicallyHappy · 18/08/2024 11:59

The brand named blocks like Nivea can score lower on protection than brands like Aldi. Aldi is cruelty free too and you do. It want to know how they test sunblock effectiveness on animals.

dontforgetme · 18/08/2024 11:57

What brand did you use? I used Boots Soltan this year for the first time and my dc also burnt! Won't be using it again.

Mydustymonstera · 18/08/2024 11:55

Factor 50 after 330 seems a lot! Do u give them any time to get vit D?

dotdotdot22 · 18/08/2024 11:30

maria2bela1 · 18/08/2024 10:57

Thanks all, just to clarify they were not in pool, I was just mentioning the water resistance aspect of cream as I thought this meant it was stronger, they were out after 3.30pm yesterday on a roofless bouncy castle, but it was cloudy for a lot of the time and I applied the sunscreen just before they went out. I'm starting to think the cream I'm using isn't good, we went to Dubai in 30 degree heat for the whole week and they never got burnt once, but I was using a different sunscreen..

Dubai actually has quite low UV. Check the weather where you are, it should give a UV rating, it can often be high even when cloudy. Agree re ensuring the quality of sunscreen though.