Single application sun creams - any good?

[BendyBob]

Do they leave an even worse sticky layer all over than ordinary sun cream? How do you get it off? Do they really work?

I do find dc and suncream an ongoing battle. They def do wear it but it's such a faff with three of them needing topping up after swims and during the day when we're on holiday, so I was considering single application creams instead this year. Anyone use them?

It's not a single application cream, but I really like Banana Boat. We discovered it a few years ago in Florida. It's a spray that absolutely disappears on contact, so no risk of sand sticking.

I wish I'd found it when the DC's were smaller as they hated the sandpaper effect of second applications.

I buy it off ebay here.

Piz Buin once a day is excellent, and is the same texture as normal suncream. We always buy this and it does last all day - I strongly recommend it! We've also tried Boots own but the texture is very sticky and gloopy.

Thanks so much to you both. That's really helpful. I'm determined not to have all the moaning we had about it last summer! yes that sticky sandpaper feeling was one of the chief bugbears.

Re the Piz Buin single app Mary - is it water/swim resistant? And if so, how do you get it off later when you need to? A good hard scrub in the shower?

Ultrasun IMO is by far the best. You can get it and try it from QVC and return if you don't like. When I lived in Australia I had it shipped over for DS. Best stuff ever.

Not sticky and it does last all day. Great for children.

We've used P20 for years. DH used to be a watersports instructor, and we've both used it to do fieldwork abroad. It's not sticky at all, but is quite alcoholic and can be quite stingy sometimes.

It's worth the money IMO.

Haven't tried it on children, DS is only 2wks old!

How do they test these creams? Is it done on "live" subjects, to allow for sweating, rubbing, dollops of paint and muck etc? - ie is one application really OK for a whole school day? I'm not convinced.

Does anyone actually know how they allow for the wear and tear of a normal child's day?

Or it is just durability under controlled circumstances?

I saw Ultrasun on QVC recently and it's been that that's got me thinking really.

Still not sure how easy they are to clean off. Does normal soap and water remove them easily? I have visions of being caked in layers of tacky suncream after a two week holiday I hate not being able to get something off my skin.

I've managed to wash it off in the shower at the end of the day no problems. Wasn't aware of anything left over on my skin that I was aware of.

Have been using Ultrasun now for several years on myself and my children. It really is once a day and it is not sticky or difficult to wash off. I buy mine from a website called ifsogo which I find is the cheapest.

Piz buin once a day fan here... It's fab, really works. Of course you still need to reapply after a long session in the sea/pool, but worth it.

I used to use P20, and but it took so long to dry, and I occasionally missed places, and ended up burnt. Once Piz Buin came out, I never looked back. It seems to survive swims OK, although it recommends you reapply after being in the water. It just absorbs so you're not really aware you've got it on, and a good soapy shower removes any remnants anyway I think.

And yes, I've never had any problems with it surviving a whole school day - I was slightly wary at first, but neither of the children have ever burnt whilst wearing it, either at school or on holiday, and they are both fair.

We used Boots Soltan single application cream for years (mainly because it was the cheapest one I could find) I agree it's a bit gloopy but for a once a day application I didn't mind, we'd leave it to soak in for a few minutes then rub in any non soaked bits and it was fine. Never had problems with burning through the school day etc

Have switched to Superdrug's own this year as the BOGOF offer wasn't on in Boots, found it much lighter, easier to apply and smells nicer.

I still have a scar from p20. Missed a spot between my boobs and it has never, ever been the same since. It also took ages and ages to dry. I would never, ever use it again.

Thank you all VERY much. This has been really helpful. I will def try it this year and hopefully everyone will stop moaning about blimmin sun cream in my family.

Ooh one more question if anyone is still about..does it come in high SPF factors? I usually buy factor 50 Nivea for dc.

If you are a user of the Piz Buin once a day cream, which factor do you use on DCs? Just had a quick look on Boots website but could only see a maximum of spf30?

I've got Boots spf 40 and Superdrug spf 50

I think Piz Buin only goes up to a 30, but then we don't go to really hot places and this is (in our experience) enough for the children. They have been known to tan with it on though. If in doubt, we use the Boots SPF40, but the kids hate the feel of that one! As DS has Aspergers, getting suncream on him is tough at the best of times, but he will tolerate the Piz Buin (so longer as you apply it in the order he specifies!).