long lasting suncreams for a schoolchild

[OldieMum]

DD's school, like many others, is not prepared to apply suncream during the day. Can someone please recommend a high-factor cream that will be effective for 10+ hours?

Boots do a 6 hour factor 50 one, BOGOF atm (think it is Soltan). Not sure anyone does a 10+hr one. How long is dd at school!

She leaves home at 7.50 (long drive to school) and stays at after school care until 4.30 on some days. So it needs to last from about 7.30 until about 5, some days.

Longest-lasting I saw today was 6 hours in Boots, and that had a caveat that it must be re-applied if had been rubbed.

Is DD allowed to do her own? Would a spray or stick be easier?

I did wonder, but she's only 5.

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What do other people do? Help - I'm off to pick her up from school in 5 mins and was hoping to find some.

You can get the sprays that start off green and go clear when they've been rubbed in properly, maybe that's your best bet?

And make sure she has a hat and wears it, I always find that a nose-saver.

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PizBuin do an all day one in various factors. We all used them last summer, and were fine.

Well, when I say all I mean all of us except well'ard dh, who kept getting sunburnt (he cycles to work) until I took him in hand and forcibly creamed his neck every morning!

She has my moley skin - so she has to have it!

Why don't you do the 6 hour one at the gate, then give her one of those sticks to touch up with at lunch or afterschool?

Would a roll on be any easier for her to apply?

This schools refusing to apply sunscreen policy is utter irresponsible b*ocks, at least for younger children who can't be relied upon to do it themselves

That P20 stuff protects against UVA and UVB now and I'm sure it lasts for 10 hours.
Not used it since it changed though so can't comment how good it is. Wondering myself whether to go for it or not.

P20 is a faff and runny, revolting and sticky iirc!

We use ultrasun, it's a once a day cream. My 2 are very pale (translucent skinned) blondies and this has been fine for us even when in cyprus etc.

our school doesn't allow suncream but allows sunnies wipes.

Phew! I discovered that she had given me the wrong info. They can take suncream in and apply it themselves. Not sure how effective that will be for a five year-old, though. Thanks for all the suggestions.

Looked at the new formulation P20 today - it does say it offers "some" UVA protection and no longer stains; still says that it will allow you to tan though.

I've opted instead for the Ultrasun SPF28 with 93(or 95?)% UVA protection - not smelly, not too greasy, will test it out this weekend if the sun comes back out

We use the PizBuin one too. It is very good. You only need to worry about them being properly covered till lunchtime ie in the strongest sun and the Piz Buin one lasts. DD has a hat too.
FWIW I don't think it is unreasonable for the staff not to apply sun cream. Can you imagine one teacher and one TA doing the class of 30? They would never get out for a lunch break.
Wipes would be a good alternative perhaps.

i looked at the all day stuff in town last night....fuck me is it expensive!!!! one was £20!!!!

Yes, the Piz Buin one was £8 from Asda last year, but you only apply it once (or twice) unlike the other ones that have to be reapplied and reapplied so actually it is prob about the same.

Ultrasun was £15.99. Still stupidly expensive I agree. There's a campaign to get suncream VAT zero-rated cos it's an essential item, will no doubt take years.

I asked my GP if I could have suncream on prescription as I've had malignant melanoma. A reasonable request, I thought. He just laughed

I use the Ultrasun one - it's expensive but worth it imo. Ds1 has strawberry blonde hair and is very fair so even in one playtime he'll catch the sun. THe other 2 are like me and go nice and brown (but I still slap the cream on).

Given that P20 has foro so long not been safe I am still waiting for the CancerUK site to change its info on P20 before starting to use it again.

info.cancerresearchuk.org/healthyliving/sunsmart/staysafe/faqs/

Given that this site is mumsnet I think we'd be foolish to risk UVA exposure until some reputable independant tester has given P20 the all clear.

I use the Ultrasun one, too.

It is expensive, but it lasts and lasts and DD1 has chesnut hair with blonde streaks, light green eyes and milk white skin with some freckles.

The sunscreens based on titanium dioxide last longer than the chemical ones. Titanium dioxide is a white pigment that reflects the sunlight and continues doing it until the particle is rubbed off.

Look for titanium dioxide high up the ingredient listing.