Redheads! What suncream do you use?

[LaTrucha]

I currently use the one I bought for DD when she was a baby, partly to use it up and partly because it doesn't stain clothes (It's Soltan baby factor 50) but we'll both need a new one soon.

What do you recommend - for me, for her (not a redhead but fair skinned) for both?

I use factor 50 for dd, factor 40 for me. Soltan or Ambre Solaire.

Tbh, as long as the factor is high enough, I concentrate mainly on how easy it is to apply.

Soltan isn't that easy, I don;t think. Ambre Solaire any better?

And does it stain?

no it doesn't. I use the spray, not the cream.

I may give it a whirl.

HAs anyone tried one of those once-only application one.

Oh they are NIGHTMARE to rub in.

Some people were raving about P20 on another thread the other day (can't find it now for some reason)

I saw the cream. I'm not sure 20 is enough for me, though. I'm waiting for the sun expert to speak on here!

I use the nivea sun light lotion, I am sure it was a 50+, but I found the ambre solaire high protection left white streaks on me and didn't rub in.

I have used ultrasun sports gel factor 20, but I do burn after a couple of hours I have to be careful and tbh I prefer a higher factor for protection, it's just that the ultrasun or the P20 are alcohol based and seem to rub in without residue.

I find a factor 50 on my face isn't enough and freckles still appear, and I can go red too. I am an auburn haired whitey, but I do tan. I am still in search of the perfect lotion, I just hate that greasy cream
feeling on my skin

I too await the sun experts......

I use Ambre Solaire Clear Protect spray, factor 30. Just keep reapplying and there's no rubbing in involved, it's great.

I use Chanel Vitalumiere foundation which has an spf of 15, which isn't great, but most of the time I stay in the shade/wear a hat.

I found one with zinc in it that was great for my DCs as babies and I used it just under my eyes all the time, sorry can't remember the name.

Thanks.

I always go a little bit red too, despite using factor 50. I think, really, it's because there's always one deceptively cloudy day in Spring and I get caught.

I'm very fair-skinned with blonde hair, DS1 is a redhead. I use Lancome - it's expensive but it smells nice and sinks in nicely without being all greasy.

On ds1 I use Soltan high spf (50 I think) I use it too if we're out and about and it's the only one we have.

I was actually at the dermatolgy unit at hospital today (unrelated) and was reading about sun protection - it said not to use waterproof creams on young children because they regulate their heat through the skin and waterproof creams can stop this mechanism working properly. I hadn't realised that until now. Don't know what age this ceases to be a problem either.

I am very fair skin and freckle rather than tan I have also lived in the Middle East for a number of years and the only thing I now use is P20 it is fab.

Put it on in the morning and doesn't need reapplying all day, have never burnt with it and even got a bit of colour.

I ran out at the pool recently and used the childrens banana boat spf40 and was burnt, so back to the P20.

My DC are 4 and 5 and so I have now started using it on them although if they have grazes they say it stings so I wouldn't use on sensitive skin.

latrucha why switch? I use baby sunscreen as am allergic to all others. If you like the soltan no reason to stop!

I use this Banana boat continuous kids mist SPF50 currently £4.99 at Semichem dead easy to put on

I use clinique city block 40 on my face. I had a basal cell carcinoma on my nose couple years back. If you ever have a spot or blister that doesnt fully heal after 2 weeks get it checked out! I had to practically beg gp to refer me. Redheads are more prone although still rare under 60.

P20 works for me but I find it a pita to put on. I always manage to leave a patch of skin so end up with a random burnt bit.

Roary - Well, we haven't got burnt but I'd like something easier ot put on.

So, thanks for the comments about P20.

Thanks for all the other tips - especially the one about wterproof. Who'd have thought it?

In Spain, they have one called ISDN. It's wonderful stuff, if you ever go there, get it. It's expensive (about 20 Euro a bottle / tube) but it's a gel cream, so really easy to apply, sinks in, doesn't stain, is hypoallergenic, factor 50 and exactly what I want right now! I can't understand why there doesn't seem to be anything as good here. There are far more pharmaceutical companies in the country.

this country, I meant to write.

LaTrucha the reason why baby sunscreen is hard to apply is that it doesn't have an accelerant in it to make it sink into the skin quickly. It's the accelerant that I am allergic to and they try to keep away from babies! So any high SPF for adults should do the job if what you want is one that sinks in fast.

Thanks Roary. 'Accelerant' sounds a bit scary. Maybe we will stick to the baby one.

Nivea factor 50 does for all the redheads in my family.