Children's Suncreams Fail Tests

[Tetley]

Has anyone seen this story on suncreams not giving the protection they say they do - rather scary - though it doesn't mention any brands.

It is vague, isn't it - it says it allows "some" UVA through to enable tan - so not complete UVA protection. Although do any suntan lotions offer "complete" UVA protection?

I like P20 simply because it's all day cover and was great for our Spain holiday last year. We didn't let ds1 out in the sun between 11am and 3pm, so it was ideal for us. However, I will have a closer look at that ultrasun stuff next time I think.

Does a SPF 15 cream with a maximum UVA screen allow you to tan less than one with a lower UVA screen then? What do UVA and UVB rays do? >

Post it when you find out coz I've just realised I have no idea!

From what I can work out, UVB is the ray that burns/tans the top layer(s) of skin and is at its strongest in the summer. UVA penetrates to the dermis and causes damage there and (here's the best bit) is the same strength all year round so in winter when you are wearing no sunscreen, you are unprotected. UVA even penetrates light clothing.

There's UVC too but that can't get through the ozone layer and it's really nasty.

Gawd... I'm so not applying suncream in December though! I only console myself with getting through the summer with a wriggly three year old by thinking "well it's only once a day until September"...

We use Ultrasun - brilliant, it has UVA of 93% and UVB 28, put it on once in the morning and thats that. Very good customer service as well. Pricey, at £15 for 100ml but as its only applied once a day it does last. The last batch I had last week had surprise bottles of 50% extra free.

P20 only protects you against UVB.

hmb - we use the Pampers sun wipes - just get them from Boots, Mothercare or supermarket.

This ultrasun stuff looks good - is it less smelly than P20? - my kids HATE having P20 put on their faces in the morning and I can't say I blame them.

I got caught out last year by using some left-over suncream from the year before (had no dates on).

I'm a redhead, pale and freckly so usually use a SPF of 15 in the UK. I put some on and I still burnt quite badly even though I kept topping up - I think the brand was Ambre Solaire.

Now, I make sure I get new creams every year - I have SPF 15/20 and the kids have a SPF 30.

Our school doesn't apply creams - request that you apply in the mornings before school, although they ask that you send creams in for Sports Days/school trips (although the kids have to apply it themselves, not teachers). This doesn't bother me personally - being in the UK and they're only outside for about 30/40 minutes MAX at lunchtimes and usually they've broken up from school when the real hot weather (if any!) comes.

At nursery though, they provide and apply the creams to the kids (using an SPF of 25).

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