Suncreams and insect repellents

[LazyDoll]

Hi,
Not sure where to post this but I’ll try here...
Off to SW France for 2 weeks end July/August and about to go shopping shortly for the above.
I know I’ll be overwhelmed by choice so wondered if anyone had any favourite/failsafe recommendations for children’s sun cream (3 active sons/in and out of water/sliding scale of tendency to burn) and insect repellent for us all.
We all have rash vests/hats and loose clothing/cover ups but are planning a lot of outdoor time as are very active and want to be well prepared!!
Thanks in advance

Ultrasun is brilliant. Look at qvc for good deals or you can get it in some shops or the airport.

Hi OP if you haven't already bought your suncream.... we've used Asda's own factor 50 and their after sun. My kids are primary age, and very fair. We spent a lot of time in the pool and on beach and had no issues at all. As for insect repellent I used one especially for kids from home bargains, it was a bit smelly at first soon disappeared though, but again no bites or anything and I think it was only £1 !!!

I use Nivea factor 50 kids on my very fair skinned DD when we’re away. I’ve used other brands but they aren’t always so water resistant! As she’s often in the water and gets a burnt scalp, I make her wear a cap in the water as much as possibe.

Deet is the only surefire insect repellent but it’s a nasty chemical and I tend only to use it when we’re somewhere tropical. For France, a natural mosiguard product is fine, it’s not 100% bite proof but works well. I use this stuff - www.amazon.co.uk/gp/aw/d/B004X5XXJS/ref=sspa_mw_detail_0?psc=1&tag=mumsnetforu03-21&ie=UTF8
When putting both on, sunscreen goes under the repellent, let it dry first. There are sunscreen products that combine both screen and repellent but be careful of those as they contain deet which you are only supposed to apply on once/twice daily on kids and only use a product with up to 30% deet, so read the labels!

Don’t use Avon skin so soft - I’ve seen lots of people recommend it and having tried it, it’s crap!

You can get a Boots own brand suncream (is it Soltan?) that contains insect repellent.

As above, you need to be really careful using combined products as often they don’t give the deet %. You aren’t supposed to use a product with more than 30% deet on kids and even then you are supposed to leave it hours and hours before re-applying as it’s a nasty chemical! Not helpful when they are in and out of the water.

Here’s a review on the Soltan Repel & Protect product;

Soltan Sun Lotion with insect repellent (left), 400ml, £15.40 from Boots.

Combining sun cream with insect repellent can make good sense but it’s not always clear how much repellent is included, what type it is and how long protection will last.

Verdict: The National Travel Health Centre And Network says it’s best to avoid using sunscreen with repellent in it “as it may encourage excessive use of DEET”.

Ultimately, in my experience, if the bugs like you, they'll bit regardless f what you use.

I've worked in jungle environments with 100% deet and applied it many time per day. Made no difference whatsoever.

The important thing is the sun protection, and the reality is that anything certified with a high SPF will be effective. I am not convinced that the expensive brands are good for anything other than a slightly less awful smell.

I’ve had a lot more luck with deet - used in Costa Rica & Sri Lanka, 0 bites on the DD. It’s also worked on us.