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Original poster

Redheads/Fair skined people. What suncream do you use and do you cover up?

43 replies

bargainhuntingbetty · 31/05/2009 09:44

I went to the school fair yesterday and put on sp30 once a day before I went. Once I had been there about 2 hours I started to burn so put on factor 30 suncream too. I am fried. What can I use and do I need to cover up with kaftans etc??? Please help, I dont want to hide from the sun all summer./

OP posts:
Original poster
bargainhuntingbetty · 31/05/2009 09:47

???????

OP posts:
rubyslippers · 31/05/2009 09:48

i use a factor 50 (children's one as me and DS share)

always sunglasses and i keep covered in loose clothing

a hat is also good if you are going to be out all day

pavlovthecat · 31/05/2009 09:48

I use factor 50+, same as DD uses. I cover up my shoulders, back and chest in the midday sun if it is very hot (like yesterday, for me anyway), and wear at hat if I remember, but often forget.

I go quite a nice healthy colour (ie not blue any more!) after a while with factor 50+. I have brown hair, but very fair freckly skin so burn just looking at the sun. I won't go very brown no matter what I use so don't see the point in trying to use anything less.

TheArmadillo · 31/05/2009 09:50

dp burns almost immediately in factor 30 (both me and ds are pale skinned as well but not as bad).

I use ambre solaire kids stuff the factor 50+ on all of us. You can get it in a spray now. (and it smells lovely).

It's the only one dp can get away with for a couple of hours - then it's just remembering to reapply and cover all exposed skin.

He also wears a brimmed hat to cover back of his neck.

He's fine without a shirt on as long as is covered with suncream.

morethanyoubargainfor · 31/05/2009 09:51

My Ds is very fair/red head and this year i have bought the PIZBUIN allergy+ 50+ spf and i have to say it is fab.

Original poster
bargainhuntingbetty · 31/05/2009 09:52

Thank you all. So factor 50 it is then. What do you cover up with if you are covering shoulders etc. Just a big t shirt or something light weight and floatie????

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TheArmadillo · 31/05/2009 09:54

light weight adn floaty should be fine but put suncream on under it - the sun can burn through thin clothes.

howtotellmum · 31/05/2009 09:55

Are you re-applying every 2 hours and using enough? They say a dollop the size of a 50p piece minimum for say an arm...

forkhandles · 31/05/2009 09:56

I've just bought some of the suncream that you use once a day. I got this Ultrasun 28 and it's very good. We went out for the day on Friday (very hot here) and we were outside all day. I have two redheaded and fairskined children and they weren't even slightly pink at the end of the day. It's expensive but worth it. I try to just use if for days out and school/nursery when you can't reapply. I use the normal high factor stuff around the garden etc.

MrsMattie · 31/05/2009 09:56

That 'once a day' stuff is a complete con. You need to apply sun cream regularly.

I am a pale brunette and wear factor 50 on face and 40 on body when it's hot. I never go lower. I also wear sunglasses and a hat if I am going to be in the midday heat for any significant period of time.

Original poster
bargainhuntingbetty · 31/05/2009 09:58

My dd's get away with factor 30. It is just their pathetically skinned mother who doesnt .

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ohdearwhatamess · 31/05/2009 10:00

Dh (red haired, fair skinned, burns just looking at the sun) uses Ambre Solaire factor 50+. Seems to suit him.

howtotellmum · 31/05/2009 10:26

you MUST re-apply- and it also helps if the sunscreen is mineral based, not just chemical.

I like Clinique as they are hypo-allergenic and are all mineral based- that means they are a bit thicker and whiter, but rub they provide a "physical" covering not just a chemical mix.

foxinsocks · 31/05/2009 10:28

I use whatever we have to hand, generally a factor 40 Boots job (for me and ds, the fair haired ones). But find it v thick and cloying. For some reason, the thinner ones like Ambre Solaire etc., make my skin really itch.

Both dd and dh have v dark skin and I use a thinner one for them, mainly because it's easier to rub in (but it's still something like 15 or 25).

foxinsocks · 31/05/2009 10:32

we also all get hyperpigmentation of the skin (me and the kids) for some odd reason so have become a bit more careful about putting it on recently

I get it now especially on my face having never had it before! So I find the thick stuff works better for that.

Are you wearing a hat?

TheMadHouse · 31/05/2009 10:34

OK - I use bananna boat factor 50 on all of us, with a spaical face and neck matt one (ambra sol).

I also use Weleda and liz earle, as they are minral sunblocks, rather than chemical ones.

I am very pale with dark hair as is DS2, DS1 tans easily, but I still use the same factor.

DH tans easily, but also gets prickly heat, a waterproof one is no good at all for him, as it stops in the sweat escaping and makes him worse. He is fine with the mineral ones. The boys sometimes look like skeletore, but there is no excuse for burnt children or adults.

I cover up with a thin shirt

foxinsocks · 31/05/2009 12:12

oh themadhouse, tell me about mineral sun screens. Are they better for your skin?

TheMadHouse · 31/05/2009 17:23

Mineral sunscreens contain based non-chemical pigments such as zinc oxide and titanium dioxide. They work by making a physical barrier between the skin and the sun, reflecting sunlight away from the skin. Inorganic sunscreens contain tiny pieces of solid sunscreen and may also contain moisturisers, which can make them gentler on the skin. The skin does not absorb inorganic sunscreens so they are less likely to cause allergic reactions.

These sunscreens are less transparent because of their content, have you ever seen a ghostly looking child on the beach? That's the one. However, nowadays these creams contain much finer particles and tend to look just a little shimmer if anything when applied.

Lots of companys do them, they are much gentle on children and adults with skin problems

Original poster
bargainhuntingbetty · 31/05/2009 19:23

Madhouse, which one do you use????

I have been hiding in the shade all day but have still put factor 30 on several times today. I need to look into shirts etc I think.

OP posts:
Original poster
bargainhuntingbetty · 31/05/2009 19:33

Sorry just re readd your eaelier post. disregard last comment

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ilovemydogandmrobama · 31/05/2009 19:34

Thanks Madhouse. Was reading that titanium dioxide/zinc were the ingredients to look out for, but didn't know why.

I'm hyper pale (but dark hair ) and use DS baby 50 SPF.

Anyone know the difference between UVA/UVB? I asked in Boots and they weren't sure.

wrinklytum · 31/05/2009 19:38

I have been using the dcs factor 50 Ambre Solaire sunblock and wearing a big floppy hatI look like a tit in it but better than being a lobster

avacado · 31/05/2009 19:41

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn

Original poster
bargainhuntingbetty · 31/05/2009 19:43

Yes I am going to have to get a hat, my DH will not walk with me but its better than being a lobster as you say wrinkleytum!!!!!

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popsycal · 31/05/2009 19:44

ds2 is fair and pale - i use nivea factor 40 or 50 and apply regularly. ds1 tans quite easily butstill use the same

ds2 also has sensitve skin and i find nivea to be the best 'mainstream' brand for him

i am a pale brunette but am generally ok with factor 15 if regulary applied
nivea again