I need to buy a new sunscreen - any help

[BWrose]

I need to buy a new sun screen. I'm looking for non staining sun screens.

I googled and a few came up. I bought parasol and I'm really liking this. However, I'm worried about the spf of 25. I'm going on holidays at the start of August on a cruise starting from Italy and going to Greece. I have fair skin with a lot of moles so a contender for skin cancer. I don't know if spf 25 will be high enough for me. I practice sun safety as best I can. I never lounge about in the sun. I stay in or seek shade. I don't know how I will manage on the cruise though with the day stop offs.

What do you think? Will I get away with the parasol? Or should I buy another?

I bought calypso spray but I don't like the smell, so that's out.

I'm browsing online and I read on a forum, perhaps this one of two more other options that might be suitable for me. They are

1. ultrasun
2. solait from superdrug

Does anyone have experience of these sun screens?

Or do you think I will get away with the parasol 25?

Ultrsun is fab and you can get it up to factor 50. We use the factor 30 sensitive once a day and it really works. It’s suitable for my DS who has eczema and it helps prevent prickly heat. I’ve converted lots of my friends to it too.

Look at Altruist. We used it for the first time last year and it was amazing. It comes in spf30 and 50, in cream and aerosol spray. It was unscented, didn't stain and caused my very sensitive skinned son no reaction. It's cheap too and it's been formulated by a dermatologist rather than a cosmetic company so you know it's going to do the job!Look on Amazon for it.

I use Asda's own spf 30 clear spray it has the 5 stars and I'm really pale and ginger so I burn badly and I think it's amazing! I work outside and I've not been burnt once this year while using it and I've not had any clothes stains. Also I usually use factor 50 as it's the only one that I don't burn with so that's why I'm extra amazed with the 30!!

Ultrasun all the way here. My skin hates greasy, smelly gloop, and Ultrasun is neither.

I'm using Frezyderm on my face (factor 50).
I've just bought loads of Lidl suncream as it one of the best in the latest Which report.
I have an Ultrasun facial one but find it a bit greasy on my face.

Also Altruist user here. Love it and found out about it on here.

Thirding Altruist - DD2 is very sun-sensitive and has reactive eczema but hates most suncreams. So far she doesn't object to Altruist because it absorbs quickly and doesn't leave a white film on her and is fragrance free. And none of us have burned at all this summer using the Factor 30.

I've tried ultrasun, freezyderm, watery essence etc as my skin is quite sensitive. Ultrasun is the best of those, but i do find it quite greasy. The one I'm using at the moment is the body shop factor 50. It's literally amazing and my skin is fine with it. Better than ultrasun. Also body shop v ethical etc etc if that's important to you (it is to me).

Thanks for the replies. I never heard or read about the altruist sunscreen before. I checked it out online and I browsed on Amazon and it looks to be very promising and exactly what I'm looking for. A spray and a cream. I love how the creams are 100ml and there is a package or offer for 2 × 100 ml. It will be great for my handbag and for reapplying throughout the day. The price is very reasonable too. You often find with sun creams formalated by dermatologists are expensive. These prices are very reasonable. I better put in an order for this evening.

The parasol won't go to waste either. I can have that for home.

Another vote for Altruist SPF 30 which is brilliant. No smell and doesn’t stain clothes at all, and doesn’t feel like you’re wearing sunscreen. I hate the feel and smell of Ultrasun.

You need to practice “slip, slop, slap” as well as sunscreen - I tend to wear a collared shirt with the sleeves rolled up as well as a broad brimmed hat if I know I’m going to be in the sun.

Altruist here too. I've got rosacea and just going near a window
sets it off. I slap on Altruist first thing in the morning and I'm good to go.

Oh thank you for this thread and for the altruist recommendation, I also have never heard of it and am always searching for a suncream that won't irritate my DS sensitive/eczema prone skin. Have just ordered some from Amazon.

Op, the Altruist package on Amazon is actually 2x 200ml sprays or creams. It's as cheap as chips but does a great job.

I have pale sensitive skin that burns easily. Just been to Turkey and didn't get burnt using P20 Factor 50.

When you are at sea there is usually a breeze and you might not feel yourself burning until it's too late. I don't think Factor 25 will be enough for you and you should use 50. To be on the safe side I'd recommend covering up with a hat or sun visor, lip salve, sunglasses and a cotton scarf to cover your shoulders.

FWIW I 've just tried Garnier Summer Body link here. It's got a bit of fake tan in it and it gives a nice bit of colour. Although there is a warning that it can stain I've not had a problem with it.

Also liking the Australian Calypso after sun spray.

The p20 is awful stuff. That was the one staining my clothes.

I’m a fan of La Roche Posay Anthelios Factor 50. Easy to find in pharmacies.

I bought Altruist a few weeks ago, both spf 30 and 50 from Amazon and it's amazing stuff. Sinks in really easily, no fragrance, not greasy and cheap! I like that it's formulated by UK dermatologists and they spend no money on advertising and has simple packaging. I used it all over my DS and it worked really well. I use it on my body as I'm pale and I've had moles removed, but use a Japanese sunscreen here for under my make up. I would use Altruist on my face if I was on holiday at a pool or beach. I don't think I'll ever use another sun tan lotion again!

I use Ultrasun and find it sinks in really well. The face stuff is still a little greasy when it first goes on but does eventually sink in. I can be out all day in SPF 30 family Ultrasun and barely change colour. Normally I only have to look at the sun to burn. Fantastic stuff.

I love love love altruist. I bought a litre last year for our corfu trip and its brilliant. I bought a soft sponge to apply it to my kids and it goes on a dream, is non oily and not at all greasy. I personally use it daily as a moisturiser on my face too. The factor 30 meant the kids could play in the pool/sea/beach all day and I only reapplied it once. Not a single bit of redness at all. It is brilliant stuff and I will never use another.

Another vote for altruist! Just gone through three full tubes on family hols. Kids don’t mind it at all, I really like it on face etc.

Sunsense by ego pharmaceuticals is a good brand it is from Australia I used to live there, that's how I started using it. They do a daily face one also.

Also meant to start a thread recommending this incredibly nerdy but BRILLIANT hat I just had on hot hols - actually left it in cafe and repurchased immediately. Covers whole face and neck completely, I really bought it for gardening/beside the pool but never took it off. Has a cord for breezy days which would suit you sailing OP.

this one

Oh I like that hat granola I've just ordered one from Amazon for my holiday next week. Thanks for the recommendation.

Love that hat!

Also love Altruist SPF 50. I find it quite moisturising for my dry skin.