Ultrasun 30 - failed Which testing

[darenotpeekovertheparapet]

Hi We've used Ultrasun 30 for the past couple of years. My youngest daughter is allergic to Soltan and almost every other suncream we have tried. Ultrasun , we thought, has been brilliant. No reddening and no allergic reactions. News out today is that it has failed the latest round of Which testing Money blog: £28 sunscreen and supermarket own brand fail standard safety tests, consumer group finds | Money News | Sky News (Sky news link less sensationalist than the Mail/Mirror etc).
We also have Altruist which is good but needs frequent reapplication - school insist they have an 8hr one for school days i.e. no reapplications in the course of the day. We do of course use hats/cover up etc.
What would people recommend instead? For context I had a BCC removed from face last year so acutely aware of the risks of inadequate sun protection!

Following, been using ultra sun also but factor 50… but reluctant to continue this with the current news. P20 probably back to that but ultra sun dried so quickly with no sticky residue which was great with the kids

I always use Ultrasun in Cyprus but still burn, arrghh, just bought a load too and it was not cheap

Their sport formula covers me completely and I never ever burn using that

Calypso suncream has been really good for my children who seem to react to suncream.

it doesn’t stain clothing either

Does this apply to the kids spf50 too does anyone know? Switched from p20 to ultrasun for possible reduced staining of school uniform!

I prefer Boots Soltan Once for 8hr coverage. Put in on before dressing, let it dry for a few minutes and you'll be good to go after breakfast.
A childhood slathered in P20 has put me off it for life.

I’m not sure that the school can refuse your child needing to reapply suncream during the day. My ds is very, very fair with white blond hair. The only way he can avoid burning is to apply the 8 hour suncream before school and then reapplying it at lunchtime.

Aargh, I've been using Ultrasun SPF 50 for face for a few years, the only one that doesn't sting my eyes and haven't suntanned on my face as a result. I don't even know where to start researching the situation.
OP, have you tried Soltan for sensitive skin? I don't know if they do an 8h version but, I'm guessing it's only the main lunchtime break you need to worry about most. I wonder if the standard version would still offer protection at midday after morning application.

Which only tested 26 types of suncream this year. Ultrasun face 50+ and the Kids 50+ both passed their testing so @Branster and @lochmaree you are prob ok to carry on with what you are using. We'd switched to the 30 as the 50 (not tested by Which) was hard to rub in and the dermatologist told me its better to use a factor 30 suncream well than a 50 badly! We've also used the Ultrasun sport but that's not tested either...argh!

I literally just bought 2 x 100ml Ultrasun Family spf30 as I’m going away for a week and can only take hand luggage!
I’ve used it for years 30 on legs and 50 elsewhere and have never burned but now worried that I’m still getting UVA damage.

Thank you @darenotpeekovertheparapet
I must confess I can't return the knowledge as Ultrasun and Soltan are the only brands I know and trust for day long complete protection.
Korean and Japanese sunscreens are, supposedly, causing less irritation. My understanding is that they are very effective and also lightweight, but have never tried any myself. If you ask on the Style board, you would get some first hand information on this.
I am guessing Australian brands would give top level protection but I have zero knowledge about this.

In truth, there is large degree of blind faith because I, personally, cannot replicate identical applications as they would use during testing and there is the added issue of fabric rubbing over skin, no idea if it removes the stuff enough to make it useless. I am quite certain in 20-30 years we will be told that all this sunscreen is very bad for our health. But, like you, I'd definitely want my child fully protected as per current advice.

Does it say why it failed? I mean if it was stated as spf 30 but actually was dog 28, i could live with that. If its super toxic, then not so keen

It scored 9.1 and then 9.5 when tested for UVA protection Septua, apparently the score should be 10 or more.

I’m ok with that tbh. It’s still miles better than no suncream and it’s the only one I’ve found that doesn’t stain our clothes.

We used the E45 suncream last year. It’s the only one that caused no reaction for me or my DD’s sensitive skin. I think it has to be reapplied fairly frequently though.

It failed because it didn’t mean the minimum for UVA. So not great.

Altruist suncream is amazing and relatively inexpensive. You can buy it from Amazon and I’ve seen it in Sainsbury’s x

The Lidl spray is cheap and effective

I just remembered this article about testing in Australia of a number of sunscreen.

www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2025/jun/12/several-leading-australian-sunscreens-dont-provide-sun-protection-they-say-according-to-choice-ntwnfb

Ultrasun Kids SPF50+ & Ultrasun Face SPF50+ both passed

Bummer. That's not what I wanted to hear

Ultrasun SPF30

This product failed our UVA test, not meeting the minimum required level in a first and a subsequent test. It did pass our SPF tests, and scored highly in our application and sustainability tests. But as it failed one of the two key sun protections tests, we can’t recommend it and it’s a Don’t Buy. We informed Ultrasun, which said it disputes our findings: ‘Ultrasun is fully confident in our testing protocols. As an independent brand delivering very high UVB and UVA protection options for over 30 years, our detailed testing processes continue to not only meet but surpass industry standards. Our chosen testing protocol is one of the strictest available, and our UVB and UVA filters are tested both in-vitro and in-vivo. We conclusively support the results of our independent tests which found the Ultrasun Family SPF30 reached a UVB-SPF in vivo of 31.4 and a UVA-PF in vitro of 13.1, which equates to a 92% UVA absorbance.’

Ultrasun Kids SPF50+

In our SPF tests, this kids’ sun lotion delivered all of the UVB protection required and then some, and it defended effectively against UVA rays. But we’ve found other kids’ products that are easier to apply. Our testers noticed that it was harder to rub in and felt tackier to touch than some. It’s pricey, too, and at £32, more than 12 times dearer than the Lidl option.

It's the only one that I'm not allergic to so I'll continue to use it. It's good enough and better than nothing.

Perhaps it was a batch problem. I’ve always used Ultrasun as having to best scent and easy application.

Why do you use it if you still burn?