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Sun cream recommendations

28 replies

Lolimax · 24/07/2017 21:22

On holiday next week to Cyprus, me and DH. Both quite pale. Can anyone recommend a really good sun cream make please?

OP posts:
SprinkleOfInsanity · 24/07/2017 21:28

Ultrasun. Once a day application, good for sensitive skin, doesn't stain clothes. Bish bash bosh. Jobs a good 'un.

cannaethink · 25/07/2017 09:20

I second ultrasun! I use the sports gel spf 30 version on me and the DC. We're all very pale and this works really well. I find the gel easier to apply than the cream.

Fourlittlethings · 25/07/2017 09:30

Don't get Boots Soltan ... it stains everything yellow, even if you give it 15 mins to dry! Calypso is nice ... gets good MN reviews if you do a search and is reasonably priced. Saw a few P20/P50's around the pool when we were away last week.

pinkrocker · 25/07/2017 09:34

There's a heatwave there ATM, please be super careful if you're both pale!
Apart from that, I'd use factor 50 at least, P50 is good but you have to allow it to dry before dressing and not miss any bits, and apply it in the bathroom too, as it can stain.
Have a lovely time, Cyprus is my favourite place in the world!

Chickydoo · 25/07/2017 11:16

I was told by a mountaineer that they (mountaineers) all use Piz Buin at high altitudes as it is best for UVA/B protection

Unicorn81 · 25/07/2017 12:33

Lancaster is good for me, im very pale and i never burn jow using lancaster

Unicorn81 · 25/07/2017 12:33

Now not jow

mrsnec · 25/07/2017 12:39

Pack loads its boiling! I don't like the once a day ones as I find the alcohol in them dries my skin. I like the paraben free organic babies one I use on the kids and re apply but I'm not out much in it at the moment to be honest its too hot! Hovering around the 40 mark right now.

MargotMoon · 25/07/2017 12:42

A recent Which? report had Ambre Solaire and Nivea coming out top in tests. Make sure you look for the 5* UVA protection rating on the bottle

WinkyisbackontheButterBeer · 25/07/2017 12:43

I'm sure I read that a lot of the supermarket ones have better protection than the big brands.

user1487671808 · 25/07/2017 12:54

We use Aldi's factor 50 and 30, it's great and has 5 star uv cover too.

Dailystuck71 · 25/07/2017 13:11

Ultrasun and no need to do factor 50. Minimal difference between 30 and 50. You'd be better going for a factor 30 with 5 stars than a 50.

ChishandFips33 · 25/07/2017 16:50

La Roche Posay anthelios for my face and Anbre Solait clear for the body - hate feeling sticky!

Lolimax · 25/07/2017 20:48

Thank you everyone! Majority seem to go for Ultrasun so I'll look out for that.
And yes I've heard it's roasting out there Smile

OP posts:
shineybut · 27/07/2017 09:18

Piz Buin All day long factor 30. Do apply 2-3 times a day though. Never had any burn with it.

Notreallyhappy · 27/07/2017 18:59

Fair hubby & DS use aldi & lidl in f30 &f15 didn't burn. Red head dss piz buin f30 & no red bits. All in Cyprus in june/July. Me & d dil used Malibu f15 oil.

mintmagnummm · 27/07/2017 19:38

Sorry to go against the grain but ultrasun was awful for me! As was ambre solaire! Burnt with both of those and so did my son!
I like avene anti ageing spf50 on face and I've bought la Roche posay 50 for body.

I'm actually going Cyprus next week too on Wednesday Grin

Allthebubbles · 27/07/2017 20:03

Waitrose sell Ultrasun, I'm pale and when I've applied family 30 generously and before I go in the sun I do not change colour at all.

specialsubject · 27/07/2017 20:37

Heatwave utterly irrelevant, latitude and time of year matter.

Layers of factor 30 reapplied every couple of hours and after swimming. Out of sun 11-3 . UV vests, board shorts, hats.

4forksake · 27/07/2017 21:00

Aldi & calypso I find are the best. They tend to do better in which tests than the likes of amber solaire, soltan, Nivea, pix buin etc.

BeautyAddict · 27/07/2017 21:06

Hi, I'm a beauty blogger and I recently looked into sun creams and their ingredients. Believe it or not, many ingredients in sun creams actually harm our skin. You can find my review here: mbinsider.com/sunscreens/
Ideally, go for the natural mineral sun screen with Zinc Oxide (ZnO).

Ktown · 28/07/2017 08:42

I think soltan sensitive is the best stuff and most effective
Many others are just 'chemical' suncreams although soltan often uses both mineral and 'chemical'.
Before I get shot: I know everything is a chemical!!!

specialsubject · 28/07/2017 09:07

British association of dermatologists, who are real scientists not bloggers, say that to absorb possibly harmful amounts of ingredients from sunscreen you would need to apply 30kg of the stuff a day.

Cancer research and sense about science also respond with answers that I would summarise as ' don't talk bollocks'

BeautyAddict · 28/07/2017 09:26

@ you are what you apply on your skin and you're what you eat so it's a personal choice. You look at the ingredients and decide whether you want to put it on your skin as simple as that. Having studied biology and chemistry it's a no-brainer for me. BTW all my research is based on scientific publications and backed up by the leading dermatologists.

specialsubject · 28/07/2017 12:25

Really? Looks like the leading British dermatologists disagree with the American study you cite. Skin isn't that porous.

Five mins on Google and the hole was obvious. Of course that isn't research, but I don't claim it is. Everybody has to make a living, as yours is being sponsored by the beauty 'industry' then good luck to you.

If you can disprove the three authorities I cite, I'm listening.