Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Flexible and made to last.

Meet the Other Phone.
Flexible and made to last.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
Other subjects
Original poster

What factor sun cream do you wear?

86 replies

Posey · 16/07/2005 20:53

Dh and I were talking about when we were kids and high factor sun cream was 8, and most of the time we wore SPF4 (we're both in our late 30s, so this was the 70s).
Now we routinely wear SPF30 and both of us have quite "tough" skins, not sensitive at all.

So what SPF do you wear?

OP posts:
HappyDaddy · 18/07/2005 10:22

I'm not bothered about tanning, doesn't really interest me, but I don't like getting burnt. I have to stay in the shade all the time and it's annoying when you're in Barbados!!!

SaintGeorge · 18/07/2005 10:25

Generally we use Factor 30 - it's the highest factor I can find without spending a fortune. For the difference in protection from F15 and above the silly rise in price isn't worth it. I can afford to slap on a lot more F30 for my money.

Sunsmart gives a lot of useful information on the UV index and how to calculate the Factor cream you should use.

NomDePlume · 18/07/2005 10:35

I buy the Avon childrens SPF50 which is £8 for a tube . Although I got it for an extra bargain when it was only £4 a tube a cpl of weeks ago, bought 6 tubes...

SaintGeorge · 18/07/2005 10:38

The stuff I buy is called No-Ad. 250ml F30 spray, £1.78. At that price I can bathe the kids in it

NomDePlume · 18/07/2005 10:40

I have to say that I do worry/wonder about the cheap suncreams having a decent SPF factor. I know it's silly, I assume the manufacturers are all regulated and cannot label something as SPF30 if it isn't. But I do always wonder. Also DD has sensitive skin and the Avon one is the only I've found that doesn't bring her out in a rash.

SaintGeorge · 18/07/2005 10:44

Oh I know what you mean NDP. I was very wary the first year we used the stuff and skin tested it on myself in comparison to a high factor expensive brand - it was fine. We've used it for 6 years now with no problems. Even DH uses it and he is a red head with very sensitive skin which burns almost instantly.

It's kept so cheap because they never advertise - hence the name No-Ad

NomDePlume · 18/07/2005 10:45

StG, my DD, DH & DS2 all have very similar colouring/skin type to your DH, by the sounds of things

NomDePlume · 18/07/2005 10:48

I also donlt trust these wet spray type ones, I can never be sure that I'm getting a thick enough layer on. If I do spray as much on as I think we need, we're always left sopping wet as it's so watery. I much prefer a creamy formulation

SaintGeorge · 18/07/2005 10:51

DH also has to be extra careful because he has a lot of skin covered by keloid scars and areas of grafted skin - ultra sensitive both to creams and sunlight. Typical man though, I have to nag him to put the cream on or attack him with the spray bottle as he walks past.

Asda stock it if you ever want to try it out.

SaintGeorge · 18/07/2005 10:52

The do a big bottle of the thick cream as well - I got the spray for the first time this year.

Fio2 · 18/07/2005 10:52

none

lilaclotus · 18/07/2005 10:53

i use nivea children's 50+. the best stuff. i always get burnt and haven't been this summer while using it.

NomDePlume · 18/07/2005 10:53

Thanks for that StG, I might just do that

Fio2 · 18/07/2005 10:54

tbh I am bit shocked you all wear such high factors

Skribble · 18/07/2005 10:55

I've got a lovely farmers tan thing going on as I always wear trousers and short sleeved shirt. Factor 60 above top lip and factor 15 on the rest of face. Wished I used some on arms yesterday but it was overcast so arms a little burnt now.

NomDePlume · 18/07/2005 10:56

DH & the kid's skin types mean that they have to wear a high factor.

My skin type is much less susceptible to burning, so I wear a lower one. Although I have to admit that I only wear suncreen in this country if I'm out all day and it's incredibly hot. Always wear it abroad though.

fastasleep · 18/07/2005 10:57

DS wears a 40... but I make him wear a hat and long sleeved tops and trousers if I know I won't have time for re-applying...am I horrible?

I wear 40 too as I burn in 5 minutes! I'm so fat now though that I didn't notice my bump made my top ride up at the back and have a lovely line of sunburn! Ouch!

Skribble · 18/07/2005 10:58

Our children will be gorgeous and wrinkly free in there older years and glad there mummys covered them in high factors.

Fio2 · 18/07/2005 11:14

my kids wear a high factor no doubt about that and I do wear it abroad, i was thinking this country

HappyDaddy · 18/07/2005 11:23

Fio2, I'm sure it's more of a myth now that the sun is weaker in this country than abroad. I burn just as quickly here as I do abroad.

Fio2 · 18/07/2005 11:26

I am just idle tbh

Satine · 18/07/2005 11:26

My kids and I all wear 50+; either ultrasun or nivea. Just not worth the long term damage to wear less.

HappyDaddy · 18/07/2005 11:28

Fair enough Fio2.

emmatmg · 18/07/2005 11:30

What puzzles me is when you're out and see people absolutley burnt to a crisp and still not covering up, applying cream etc.

We were at a Fun day thingy the other day and I saw a woman there whose arms and shoulders were so burnt I thought I'd offer her some of my cream her I didn't think she had any, she saw me applying mine and got hers out of her bag to do the same

Honestly her shoulder/arms were burgundy.

Silly woman.

HappyDaddy · 18/07/2005 11:38

My ex used to say "i dont need suncream because I dont burn" so i used to enjoy watching her sunbathing and turning red. Shed jump up and shout "why didnt you tell me i was burning, you idiot?" so i used to answer that "apparently you dont burn". Silly cow. She goes to sunbeds too and now looks at least ten years older than she should, her tan's shit, too.