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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To think there's no suitable suncream for my son??

117 replies

VG0906 · 30/08/2019 17:27

Hey, my son has the most sensitive skin and it's becoming a nightmare to find any suncream for him. All the high street ones bring him out in a rash and he just gets so sore. We're off on holiday in a couple of weeks and I'm panicking that he's going to burn if I don't find anything suitable soon.

OP posts:
Purpleartichoke · 30/08/2019 18:04

I’m allergic to most sun creams. There are special formulations out there, the key is figuring out which ingredients are causing the problem.

I’m in a different area so the brands probably aren’t the same, but I’ve had good luck with vanicream, cereve, and Cleure. Basically look for the most medicinal brand available.

MissChananderlerbong · 30/08/2019 18:04

I used to swear by Moo Goo but found at £15 it was too expensive the rate we were using it! I switched to toddle which is factor 50 and £9.99
It's new but they've won all sorts of awards
My son is pale (DH is ginger) and very sensitive and it's been great

wijjjy · 30/08/2019 18:07

From lots of trial and error, Piz Buin allergy factor 30 sensitive skin.

Millie2013 · 30/08/2019 18:08

We use sunsense or child’s farm on DD, who is prone to eczema. She’s yet to react to either, unlike all of the regular sunscreens in boots, etc

wijjjy · 30/08/2019 18:08

Before that it was just hats, long sleeves and indoors from 10-3

BikeRunSki · 30/08/2019 18:14

YY to Green People

Ijumpedtheshark · 30/08/2019 18:17

Ultrasun extreme or weleda eidelweiss.

Muffin3 · 30/08/2019 18:17

Alumier MD is a medically graded spf 40, non chemical product, pricey but worth it

negomi90 · 30/08/2019 18:19

Hats sleeves and shade it got me through Spain last week

IWouldLikeToKnow · 30/08/2019 18:34

I know it's individual to each person but my sensitive skinned son tolerates La Roche Posay's children's sun cream very well.

UniversalAunt · 30/08/2019 18:36

Look for PABA & perfum free as a start.
SPF 50+ as a default.
Rash vests & light cotton loose clothing obviously so.

Ultrasun & Piz Buin are reliable brands I have used.
I bought Ultrasun last week from my local Sainsbury’s & slathered it on for a long day out on BH Monday. No itching & no sun damage to areas smothered. Alas, I missed a bit on my ankle so now sporting an angry rash patch Sad.
This year, I have also used Boots own Soltan baby sensitive 50+ as my handbag back up, it comes in a neat tube & good value.

Linares29 · 30/08/2019 18:40

Another vote for Toddle, it’s fab for sensitive skin and vegan friendly.

coffeeforone · 30/08/2019 18:42

Have you tried the child's farm baby one and the La Roche Posay kids one? My sensitive DS's skin tolerates both of those.

BelindasGleeTeam · 30/08/2019 18:45

I'm allergic to the vast majority.

I'm talking hospitalisation allergic

Organic kids by Green People. Brilliant. Also SunSense sensitive in the purple tube or MooGoo.

All are mineral screens, not chemical ones. They're far, far better for young and sensitive skins.

muddledmidget · 30/08/2019 18:45

I get heat rash under the cream versions of sun tan lotions so I've been using a clear spray this summer (carroten is a Greek brand but all the companies make them). I've had no heat rash and I love that I can apply so quickly, but do find that I need to reapply more regularly, but it only takes 90 secs to do my whole body

Slaymill · 30/08/2019 18:51

I like this sunscreen www.ladival.co.uk/our-products/

Ladival is clinically proven to be suitable for sensitive skin including children with eczema. Which might help him worth asking for a sample.

Amanduh · 30/08/2019 18:53

Ultrasun

FreeButtonBee · 30/08/2019 18:56

Sunsense kids 50+ in our house. Eczema prone and rasht/hivey children. No reactions and it’s not too gloopy

SpanielPlusToddler · 30/08/2019 19:00

We’re very fair, with sensitive eczema prone skin and use factor 50 sunscreen from tropic. Vegan, natural ingredients, mineral (not chemical) smells nice, never been burnt and no skin flare ups in 2 summers of use.
tropicskincare.com/products/skin-shade-mineral-sun-protection?variant=49703993044

MoreSlidingDoors · 30/08/2019 19:02

It's not chemical so the sun cream sits on the skin

Everything is chemicals. Wink

paddler78 · 30/08/2019 19:08

Would definitely second La Roche Posay I've struggled for years trying to find sun tan lotion that doesn't affect my skin and it's been the only one I've found Smile

perfectstorm · 30/08/2019 19:09

[Moo Goo [https://moogooskincare.co.uk/natural-sunscreen-spf-30]]. It's recommended by clinicians for cancer patients having radiotherapy and chemo, which makes your skin really reactive (and sunlight more swift to burn, too). It's a zinc barrier cream, rather than being one that relies on chemicals sinking into the skin. And it's Australian, so comes from a nation that take sunscreens exceptionally seriously, because of their stratospheric rates of skin cancer.

MoreSlidingDoors · 30/08/2019 19:10

La Roche Posay

Pretty sure that’s a Nestle company.

perfectstorm · 30/08/2019 19:10

La Roche Posay is also good. Also Eucerin, from memory. (My son also has these issues.)

Aragog · 30/08/2019 19:13

DD reacted to lots of suncream, but she has always been fine with Ultrasun.

One of our friend's DDs is allergic to most suncreams and reacted to most, inc one from the GP iirr. Again though she appears to be fine with Ultrasun.

Its also a true once a day which helps with practicality on holiday. Its not cheap though.

If he is really struggling look at the UV clothing ranges - there are more and more available these days.