Anyone else hate applying suncream?

[sunlotion]

I know it’s absolutely necessary, but fecking hell it’s a horrible job!

I hate the worry that you’ve missed a bit, the stickiness and greasiness (I’ve tried most brands and am yet to find one that isn’t both of these things to a greater or lesser degree), the struggle to apply it whilst DS squirms and cries and the fact that he will inevitably rub his eyes when I’ve applied it to his hands.

Hate the stuff!

Caveat - I don't have kids! But I've seen babies in those all in one thingies which look a bit like a wetsuit. Can you pop him in one of those, then you only need to worry about hands and feet and face?

I hate it, I really hate it. Dd has a water obsession, I'm now a full time sun cream applier person.

Childs farm has ruined all her clothes. I'm shit at applying it and my arms have weird patches where I've got myself. I hate it.

Weirdly my mum bought factor fifty minions purple cream from Avon. It applies purple so you can see it and soaks in. I used it today and would say it's actually not greasy!

Have also ordered all day calypso one having read reports in here.

Agree it's awful. Necessary but I hate it.

Glad it’s not just me! We’re off out this afternoon so will need to coat DS in it shortly. Dreading it as ever!

I use the roll on (Aldi) on mine and they love it, just for the novelty of the roll on itself. They demand that one.

I roll tiger stripes on them in the mirror and they giggle. And I let them rub it in themselves, since I know I've put on very thick stripes.

I'm definitely not as successful with either the regular creams or the sprays! They get very impatient with them!

I know what you mean, although the main reason is tricky is - assuming you are in the U.K. - we don't get regular practice and kids aren't used to it. I relative who works in a nursery in Perth tells me that the 3 years old put their own sun screen on every day!

Agree that you could buy a sun safe suit so you just cover arms and legs. For the bits like face that you have to sunscreen, try one of the roller ones - much easier to apply.

It’s horrible. We are a family of fair redheads. We tend to stay indoors 11am-3pm at this time of year because the sun is just too much. Often we can avoid having to use sunscreen if we restrict our outdoor time to late afternoon. If we must go out during the day we wear long trousers and shirts and hats to avoid having to cover our entire bodies in cream. Bondi Sands factor 50 unfragranced cream is the best I’ve found.

I tried a roll-on after reading rave reviews, but it’s just the same as regular cream - the only difference is you roll it on before rubbing in rather than squirting onto your hands/their skin before rubbing in. Or am I missing something?

I saw a hack where someone was applying it and "rubbing" it in with a make-up brush, not sure how effective it would be?

I work in a nursery so I’m doing this three times a day for 24 children
I squirt it on my hand then dab it on then rub it all in
Takes a bloody age
And I can’t wait for the autumn

@sunlotion

I tried a roll-on after reading rave reviews, but it’s just the same as regular cream - the only difference is you roll it on before rubbing in rather than squirting onto your hands/their skin before rubbing in. Or am I missing something?

You are definitely missing something. I dont need to rub anything! The one I get leave a very good application with no streaks or anything

We get the Soltan one and it's brilliant. Kids love it! Even I started using it for myself

i dont like the feel of suncream. I have to use the clear oil spray instead and then wash hands

Best sun cream I have ever ever bought is altruist. Developed by doctors and its is totally and utterly non greasy. Sinks in and feels exactly like a moisturiser. I bought an ultra soft baby sponge and put a generous amount of sunscreen into a little water tight plastic tub with the sponge. Easy to reapply and you can need more certain that you have a good coverage.

I really can't stress enough how good altruist is. I can't stand greasiness and it's the only one I've ever found that I've gone back to repeatedly.

Altruist makes me spotty!
I used to get suncream wipes when my kids were little, they worked well and were good for speed and less mess on wriggly toddlers, @fantastaballs sponge idea is a good one.
I know use a tinted powder sunscreen on my face and try to keep the rest covered.
Ultrasun is v good for water + all day. Redhead Teen DS managed a twi week watersports holiday in the South of France without getting burnt although it turned his clothes yellow. I think i soaked in washing soda too get most of the yellow out.
There are some lovely water based sunscreens that don't sting eyes, several Korean ones but i tried a Spanish brand Isdin and it was lovely (a facial one with added anti aging serum but they do children's allover ones too). I find the eye stinging a real problem but Isdin was fine.

I found a solid stick one which seems like it might not need to be rubbed in. The roll on ones I've tried defo need to be.

@insancerre can you use the one that you only apply once?

I hate it too, I'm trying a new one that's supposed to be non sticky, non greasy. I put it on earlier and went for a walk, within five minutes black dust and a very confused little aphid had stuck to me.
This was absolutely the worst job when I worked in nurseries, I'd rather be on ballpit cleaning duty.

Love this

Eucalyptus oil will remove sun cream stains from clothes by the way! I just order it from eBay soak the stain with the oil and then wash like normal, I saw it on this morning once 😂

My daughter is a nutter and actually enjoys having it put on!! She likes to her the roll on one and likes rubbing it in. At the beach I’d absolutely have her I a full sun suit knees right elbows, but in normal clothes it’s harder.

I detest wearing the stuff myself though. Yep, sticky, greasy, gets in your eyes and on your clothes. I have most luck with putting it on whilst naked/ underwear only, waiting half an hour then putting clothes on top. No good for a mid day top up though.

So many typos 🙄 you get the gist I’m sure

I rarely bother.

I make the kids wear massive floppy hats instead. If they don't wear them they have to play in the shade.

I use the 50* on 2yo DS from boots. It's a once a day one but I do top it up. It smells really nice and doesn't leave a yellow stain on his clothes.

50+

Get a self tanning mitt and apply the sunscreen with that. It's faster, glides on and you don't get greasy hands. Keep in a ziplock freezer bag in your handbag with the suncream and then everything doesn't get covered. Makes life much easier.