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Original poster

once a day suncreams

34 replies

fairimum · 25/05/2010 21:56

HAve been looking at the once a day sun creams and was wondering if anyone had any recommendations... I am quite fair as are the kids

P20 - lasts up to 10 hours but is only spf 20

Soltan (boots own) Once - lasts up to 6 hours and goes up to spf 50+

Piz buin - up to 6 hours and goes up to spf 30+

Mostly just to use in the garden but also in Portugal in August...

any experiences?
thanks so much

OP posts:
expatinscotland · 25/05/2010 21:57

Ultrasun. Not cheap. Takes ages to rub in.

Works a treat.

wonderingwondering · 25/05/2010 22:00

We used the Soltan one in 100 degree heat in Florida and our two fair skinned children didn't burn at all. I only added an extra layer if we were going to the pool or beach, otherwise the once a day was enough for walking round.

For DH & me, we took P20 for when we were walking about, and again, no burning (and no stains on our clothes, unlike the Soltan cream which discoloured white clothes a bit). And then the factor 50 for round the pool. We'll use the same this year.

The Soltan works for a day at school, too. And I don't think factor 30 is enough for very young, fair skinned children.

wonderingwondering · 25/05/2010 22:01

And p20 takes a second or two to dry, so very easy to put on when you're all getting dressed, the Soltan takes a little more rubbing in.

Meglet · 25/05/2010 22:02

I took P20 to florida (Gulf of Mexico side) and sunbathed all sodding day for a week and came back white as a sheet .

RubberDuck · 25/05/2010 22:04

We use Piz Buin 15 here and it's fine. I'd probably get the factor 30 if using abroad though.

I have used P20 but became allergic to it, sadly. One thing to watch is whether it protects against both UVA and UVB - have the feeling P20 always used to protect against one but not the other so it meant that you didn't burn, but the more dangerous type of radiation still got through. They may well have changed that now though.

RubberDuck · 25/05/2010 22:06

Ah, correction. On their site it does now say that they have UVA and UVB filters, so they clearly changed formulation since I used it.

Is def worth checking on whichever all day lotion you buy though.

squeaver · 25/05/2010 22:08

Like them in theory. Hate them in practice.

The rubbing in is an absolute nightmare.

Eglu · 25/05/2010 22:19

P20 is great. It is easy to put on and has been great for my children.

Friedns also use it for their Dses and they go to Spain at the height of summer and have been to FLorida. Their children have never been burny.

squeaver · 25/05/2010 22:25

P20 is not high enough factor for fair skin, imo.

OhYouBadBadKitten · 25/05/2010 22:27

soltan is good for uva and uvb. Also, have found it to be one f he few creams that doesnt make dds skin react.

it is a bit discolouring to clothes though.

Tortoise · 25/05/2010 22:29

I have the Soltan one. Got the spray this year as the cream discoloured anything white and was awful to rub in. Spray is good so far and easy to apply.

Hulababy · 25/05/2010 22:30

I burn easily and have never had any problems using P20, even in height of Florida summer.

We use P20 or Ultrasun.

DD reacts to loads of other suncreas, such as Soltan, Nivea, etc. but is fine with both of the above.

RedOnHerHead · 25/05/2010 22:39

I use P20 - I am ginger and I burn by watching Neighbours on the telly!
I have used P20 in Jamaica, Florida, Turkey, Cyprus and this country. I am always the one with a lovely golden tan, whilst everyone who use regular suncream sports the lobster red look.

P20 changed their formula last year (last year to my knowledge anyway) It used to have UVB (the stuff that burns) but no UVA (the stuff that ages). And you used to have to put it on 90mins before going in the sun. Now it's only 15mins before going in the sun. And now it has both UVA and UVB.

But it is brilliant.
I've never used it on my children though (ages 5yrs and 2yrs) probably because its only F20. Even though I know it's good???

The really good thing I find about it is that even though it is waterproof, it lets your skin breathe. No prickly heat. I've never tried any of the other ones, but P20 is fab. I've used it for years - (you could only get it duty-free and on aeroplanes at one point)

ruckyrunt · 25/05/2010 22:43

p20 is really good if you are not fair and want a tan in uk

Portugal in august - take a higher factor

nosey - where you going?

Original poster
fairimum · 25/05/2010 22:47

lol no idea where we are going! Is MIL's timeshare!

That is my main concern that p20 is not a high enough factor... so what to use instead?? hmmm

OP posts:
RedOnHerHead · 25/05/2010 22:49

Says on their site that P20 can be used on children - fab! Am pleased I read this thread, as my LO (age2) had had quite bad reactions to both soltan, nivea and ambre solaire (sp?) so I think I'll try P20 on him, I have some in the loft from our holiday in Nov!

Thanks OP for posting!

chaostrulyreigns · 25/05/2010 22:50

Can you use P20 in your face?

RedOnHerHead · 25/05/2010 22:50

ruckyrunt, I've never burned with P20 even when there was no UVA in it, but now there's UVA in it too. Like I said, I've been using it since very early teens if not younger.

RedOnHerHead · 25/05/2010 22:52

yes you can use it on your face - just wait for it to dry before putting makeup on, if you wear makeup - and it never looks greasy too - that's the thing i love about it most - looks like you don't have any suncream on at all - i hate that greasy feeling.

dalek · 25/05/2010 23:00

Proderm is very good as well - nice and moisturising. I use proderm on DD's body and Ultrasun on her face as Ultrasun doesn't run. When we were at a water park in Cyprus the proderm ran into DD's eyes and stung alot - probably my fault for not rubbing in properly .

Have a lovely holiday

TheNextMrsDepp · 25/05/2010 23:01

Ultrasun! Fab stuff.

ruckyrunt · 25/05/2010 23:18

uva doesn't stop you burning redtop - it helps prevent skin cancer but will not effect whether you burn or not so you increase your chance of canser of the skin without knowing

RedOnHerHead · 25/05/2010 23:22

Ruckyrunt - P20 has UVA and UVB in it - it didn't used to have UVA, just UVB, but now it has both. So it's far better than before. Like I said before, UVA=the aging UVB=the burning, but now it has both. So it is good stuff.

amazonianwoman · 27/05/2010 16:21

Ultrasun is the best imho.

Used to use P20 but got the worst prickly heat I've ever had. Didn't burn, but the prickly heat was unbearable. It does contain UVA protection now, but they don't state how much protection (or, I can't find any detailed info), so until they do, I wouldn't use it on my DCs.

Ultrasun offers high UVA (93%) and UVB (SPF30) protection. It works on my uber-fair kids and my whiter than white skin.

I've had malignant melanoma, so I'd never use a product that didn't offer excellent UVA and UVB protection.

Sunsense SPF50 is also excellent if you don't want to use once-a-day stuff. Runny and easily absorbed for such a high factor. I always buy the huge £25ish bottle which lasts for ages.

pantaloons · 27/05/2010 16:23

I always use the Soltan Once factor 50 on my 3, it has never let me down and it was BOGOF!