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Original poster

Sun Tan lotion for kids. Which one ?

56 replies

Kayleigh · 07/04/2004 10:30

Have just been to Boots as a friend told me that a lot of the sun tan lotion was BOGOF. But I got myself totally confused by all the different makes, factors, sprays, milks. What should I go for for the kids ? We are going to Menorca in June and I have two very pale boys who will be 6 and 3.

Is the coloured stuff better than the white stuff, or will they be totally green ?
Spray or cream ?

Help !!!!

OP posts:
Original poster
Kayleigh · 11/04/2004 13:06

Thanks so much for all for your posts.

Good tip about the sunsuits, will look out for them tomorrow. Am off shopping all by myself while dh has the kids. Yippee !

OP posts:
maryz · 12/04/2004 22:13

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

turkishdelight · 20/04/2004 21:45

I use a SPF30, it's actually 3 in one, a sunscreen, after sun cream, and insect repellent. It spreads beatufilly AND it's waterproof, and its not sticky either. Even my husband who has a very fair skin managed to get a lovely tan without burning. Whereas before he would go very deep pink. So I would recommend it to all the little ones out there. This product is not in shops but instead distributed by the companys distributors, and can be found in
sunscreen
(you enter passcode 98370)
Good luck, and happy suntanning...

Original poster
Kayleigh · 07/06/2004 15:22

janinlondon, just to update you. I went to see a deramtologist who advised the mole I was concerned about was a type of wart. She froze it off there and then and checked me all over. Said everything was ok apart from a mole on my foot that she didn't like colour of. Anyway, i had it removed under local yesterday and get results in week or so.
Thanks for spurring me on to get this sorted. Hope your surgery is all ok at end of month.

OP posts:
dinosaur · 07/06/2004 15:23

This reply has been withdrawn

This has been withdrawn by MNHQ at the poster's request.

Original poster
Kayleigh · 07/06/2004 15:28

Hi dino, we are staying in Cala Galdana. Am really looking forward to it. Was Son Parc nice ?

OP posts:
dinosaur · 07/06/2004 15:30

This reply has been withdrawn

This has been withdrawn by MNHQ at the poster's request.

Macy · 11/06/2004 18:08

I use Johnsons baby SPF 40 on my 10month old. It's really easy to put on, and doesn't stain clothes. Smells great too!

Bird · 11/06/2004 19:29

Have used Ambre Solaire factor 30 and 60 on my children. I have used this since 1995 and have not had any sunburn...but then I grew up in Bermuda have suffered with sunburn and know the rules, stay out of the sun between 11am and 3pm, it can be done, wear a hat and put sunblock on first thing and keep applying. I take the kids every summer to visit, they line up in the morning for their sunblock and wear UV shirts during the day when they play outside. Especially careful with under 5s...most sun damage is done as a child.

mummysurfer · 11/06/2004 19:50

was just thinking about P20
used it last yaer for the first time on dd and ds but someone has frightened me by saying it stops you burning, but doesn't prevent the damage that can result in skin cancer.
Does anyone know any more about this?

Chinchilla · 11/06/2004 22:52

Dh found an article on line about the 'benzo' element of suncreams actually causing as high a rate of cancer as the sun itself. Apparently this chemical is there to block the sun but, ironically, breaks down in reaction to the sun to cause free-radicals (I think). The only two sun creams that did not have this particular ingredient were Tesco and Nivea. We now use Nivea sensitive (because of ds' eczema) Factor 60.

If anyone is interested in the article/info on this, I'll ask ds to find it again.

mummysurfer · 13/06/2004 14:36

P20 anyone?

SoupDragon · 13/06/2004 14:40

I believe that P20 has little or no UVA sunscreen in it. I looked into it last year.

SoupDragon · 13/06/2004 14:41

WRT the Benzo bit that Chinchilla talks about, given a choice between Nivea and Tesco only, I'd go for Tesco as it has a higher UVA screen than Nivea for Kids - at least it did last year.

mummysurfer · 13/06/2004 14:56

just looked at their website and it doesn't mention what kind of protection it gives other than SPF30

JanZ · 13/06/2004 15:07

I tend to use P20 as my "base" sunscreen - ie at least I then know that ds (or I!) won't burn over the whole day, but after it's had its 90 minutes to react, will then apply the Boots Soltan on top of it, to get the UVA protection. In this country I use Factor 15 all the time, overseas I'll use stronger for me and ds (usually a 20 or 25) for the first few days.

Ds is 3.9, but probably has a "better" skin than mine in that I have a fair skin and he has his dad's olive skin. He's never burnt yet - but I've always been careful! (also with covering him up, using sunsuits etc)

mummysurfer · 13/06/2004 15:10

janz - good compromise, will probably give that a try. we have used p20 before and no one burnt. i love the freedom it gives, instead of clock watching to see if it's time to re-apply but your method will give me a better peace of mind, thanks,

codswallop · 13/06/2004 15:12

arent factors over 15 a waste of time I thight tey said>?
doent aittle production of melanin prtectt he skin?

smellymelly · 13/06/2004 15:55

where can u get P20?? Please

Janh · 13/06/2004 15:58

P20 website , smellymelly.

It has stockists and I think you can get a free sample too

secur · 13/06/2004 16:14

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zebra · 13/06/2004 16:16

I thought that the average cotton T-shirt is only about SPF=5-10, and yet we all know that just wearing a shirt is pretty effective at preventing sun2burn... so I would think it's more to do with depth/extent of coverage than nominal SPF. I sort of thought that for any suncream to be as effective as the stated SPF you have to smear it on very very thick.

noddy5 · 13/06/2004 16:20

Saw my dermatologist yesterday as I have had several bits cut out due to my kidney medication and too much sun whilst travelling 10 years ago.When I asked her to recommend a cream she said CLOTHES !and also said I should use factor 30 at least in the sun but best to stay in the shade.My ds is 10 and very fair and I use Liz Earle block on him it is excellent and always wear a hat

secur · 13/06/2004 16:21

Message withdrawn

zebra · 13/06/2004 16:54

That's why I specifically said cotton t-shirt. Lycra is something like SPF=30 or more, I think. Check out the tan lines on the Tour De France riders, sometime!

I am sure some report came out that said for an average 4-person family to get the stated SPF on a 2 week holiday they would need to spend some high amount... was it £120? £200? On sunscreen alone. That's how thickly/frequently you are supposed to put it on.

A slight tan is supposed to be protective against UVA, though, ironically. And it means you get your dose of Vitamin D, which itself has health benefits.