Sun cream

[Mummycat]

Thanks all for some great and interesting replies.
If I can get a good price I may well go with the ultrasun but typically all the 500ml sizes are currently out of stock. Another cheaper option is I know its available at the airport dutyfree so might stock up there and it won't be weighed as part of the luggage or hand luggage!
Cat xx

 

[Lolsmum]

'Broad spectrum' is too general a term for me, unfortunately. I need a more specific rating system comparable to SPF, so I prefer to go with the star ratings on EU sunscreens rather than taking my luck with US sunscreens. On top of that I currently only use sunscreens containing both drometrizole trisiloxane and ecamsule (Mexoryl XL and Mexoryl SX respectively). Despite being in use for around two decades in Europe, only the latter has been approved by the FDA (in 2006), so I have to by my sunscreen here.

Honestly, in terms of ingredients, European sunscreens put even the best US sunscreens to shame. There's a reason many American dermatologists order their sunscreens in from outside the US.

Personal choice.

That may or may not be true, but I cannot find a sun cream from the EU that doesn't cause my daughter to react with a horrible rash from even brushing up against her brother if he has just had some applied.

I'll stick to the US and Australian sun screens that don't cause those issues.

 

[joolz1910]

We used p20 and didn't burn. There are 3 blondes, one redhead and one dark-haired/ pale skin in our party! I reapplied it if the kids got wet but it didn't need topping up apart from on those occasions. I like it because it doesn't require lots of rubbing in - it feels like a light oil and is easily absorbed.

We got ours from Amazon / Tesco etc when they had promotions on it. I think we used 1 large and 1 small bottle in 2 weeks for 5 of us.

 

[Mummycat]

We used p20 and didn't burn. There are 3 blondes, one redhead and one dark-haired/ pale skin in our party! I reapplied it if the kids got wet but it didn't need topping up apart from on those occasions. I like it because it doesn't require lots of rubbing in - it feels like a light oil and is easily absorbed.

We got ours from Amazon / Tesco etc when they had promotions on it. I think we used 1 large and 1 small bottle in 2 weeks for 5 of us.

Thanks Juliette the main thing putting me off this is the tales of horrific staining to clothes- how did you find it? X

 

[Claire Bear]

Thanks Juliette the main thing putting me off this is the tales of horrific staining to clothes- how did you find it? X

I've always used p20 on holidays, bought p30 for Florida and p50 for me! If you put it on and wait 5 minutes or so before you get dressed it doesn't stain. Last year when I forgot to put it on first it did mark my white top but it came off in the wash.

 

[theminx08]

I would HUGELY recommend the aerosol sun creams. We got HOOKED last year and it was by far the most convenient for the kids!

I think we paid about $14 a bottle in WDW, but I found them here BOGOF at 5.99, so £3 per can...

http://www.chemistdirect.co.uk/malibu-continuous-lotion-spf30-aerosol-spray_1_186869.html#186869

I bought 4 bottles. They have had some use today in the hot sun!!

I don't know anything about ultra sun but personally I couldn't justify the cost when there's a cheap product that works so well.

I totally agree! The aerosol is absolutely fab! So convenient for children and much cheaper to buy in Florida.

 

[sarah4291]

I will always buy the Piz Buin once a day! We only have factor 15 and factor 10, but it has always worked so well! We sometimes top up just to make sure but this would only be once!

 

[disneymotts]

What a useful thread! Thanks for all the info, DS had a reaction to P20, I've been wondering about trying another once a day with him as they are so much easier. Off to boots today to find some Ultrasun to try.

 

[Tony Toon]

Thanks all for some great and interesting replies.
If I can get a good price I may well go with the ultrasun but typically all the 500ml sizes are currently out of stock. Another cheaper option is I know its available at the airport dutyfree so might stock up there and it won't be weighed as part of the luggage or hand luggage!
Cat xx

Multipharm usually have no problem supplying us and we buy loads (4 x 500ml tubs and 3 SPF30 face ) When we came through Duty Free in Glasgow on the 4th, they had plenty of Ultrasun including 500ml pumps. A really god buy was the 100ml SPF30 face pack at about £30 (didn't pay too much attention as we already had ours). They wee offering £5 off purchases of 2 packs or more which I seem to remember made it quite competitive.

Mrs TT

 

[Mummycat]

Multipharm usually have no problem supplying us and we buy loads (4 x 500ml tubs and 3 SPF30 face ) When we came through Duty Free in Glasgow on the 4th, they had plenty of Ultrasun including 500ml pumps. A really god buy was the 100ml SPF30 face pack at about £30 (didn't pay too much attention as we already had ours). They wee offering £5 off purchases of 2 packs or more which I seem to remember made it quite competitive.

Mrs TT

Thanks for the help and advice. Can I just ask how much you usually use on a 3 week trip so I can work out how much to buy. Thanks

 

[scoobydooby]

We used 6 bottles over 2 weeks between four of us last year. Might have started on a 7th. I know I took 8 and bought 2 back.

 

[joolz1910]

Thanks Juliette the main thing putting me off this is the tales of horrific staining to clothes- how did you find it? X

We use it every summer and my kids like to apply it to themselves, so you can imagine the mess! We have never go any clothes stained, I think they improved it so that it would no longer stain.

 

[Mummycat]

We use it every summer and my kids like to apply it to themselves, so you can imagine the mess! We have never go any clothes stained, I think they improved it so that it would no longer stain.

Fab that's you and Claire bear both saying it doesn't stain so might have to pick up a bottle and give it a trial run in this country. Did you still manage to get a bit of colour with it as I've read some comments of people coming home whiter then they left?!

 

[Tony Toon]

Thanks for the help and advice. Can I just ask how much you usually use on a 3 week trip so I can work out how much to buy. Thanks

I'm afraid I can't quite remember how much I used when all 4 of us used to go but I do vaguely remember ordering about £120 for 4 adults for 4 weeks. Last year I reckon we used 2 x 500ml pumps and a couple of bottles for 4 weeks. Been here since the 4th July and so far I have used about a third of 1 500ml pump of SPF30 (I'm a blonde who tans) and the same for DH of a 500ml SPF20 sports. We're both of average build and about 5' 10 tall. The pump combined with the once a day application makes it economical to use. No staining to clothes, no pink bits whatsoever and we'll both go home bronzed. My mega order was prompted by the fact the DS and his GF and then DD and her boyfriend are also heading off to Florida in August and we'll also use it the next time we visit DD, DSIL and grandsons when we visit them in Tenerife.

Mrs TT

 

[Mummycat]

I'm afraid I can't quite remember how much I used when all 4 of us used to go but I do vaguely remember ordering about £120 for 4 adults for 4 weeks. Last year I reckon we used 2 x 500ml pumps and a couple of bottles for 4 weeks. Been here since the 4th July and so far I have used about a third of 1 500ml pump of SPF30 (I'm a blonde who tans) and the same for DH of a 500ml SPF20 sports. We're both of average build and about 5' 10 tall. The pump combined with the once a day application makes it economical to use. No staining to clothes, no pink bits whatsoever and we'll both go home bronzed. My mega order was prompted by the fact the DS and his GF and then DD and her boyfriend are also heading off to Florida in August and we'll also use it the next time we visit DD, DSIL and grandsons when we visit them in Tenerife.

Mrs TT

Sorry mrs TT meant to say thank you for the info