Good Suncream

leaveiton

Going on holidays next week and was wondering if anyone could recommend a good, decently priced suncream? Anytime I've been away before I've gone with family, this time I'm going with friends. Normally I'd use Boots Soltan, but hadn't realised the price of it! Obviously it's worth it if it's going to keep me protected, and I don't mind paying for it if it's the best option. But I was just wondering if there are any alternatives that are just as good but a little bit cheaper?

charlietheminxx

Piz Buin Once a Day in factor 30 (although it does need to be applied twice a day :P)

It's the best suncream I've found and it absorbs into the skin much better than Soltan.

I've seen bottles of it on special offer all over the place in the last week - you should get the small-ish bottle (enough for a week or two) for 8 or 9 euro at the mo - but make sure to shop around for it

It's on special offer on www.carapharmacy.com at the mo too - this site was recommended last week and is AMAZING!

RhubarbCrumble

I think Boots Soltan is on Buy one get one free at the moment.

leaveiton

RhubarbCrumble wrote: »

I think Boots Soltan is on Buy one get one free at the moment.

Indeed it is, thanks! Hadn't realised that before, so it made everything much more affordable. Picked up two big bottles today.

ICANN

I use Piz Buin factor 30, I have the spray one and the cream and I prefer the cream one.


On the topic of sun cream- what do ye use on your face for protection?

Toto Wolfcastle

I used Soltan on a recent holiday and I didn't find it great. I always find it better to pick some up when you go on holiday. I got a pharmacy brand aerosol in America that was brilliant.

As for the face, Dermalogica does a great one that you can mix in with your moisturiser.

Lavidabonita

I just came back from Spain and I used Garniers sun cream. It's a new spray one and its actually clear. It's really good because its not white and gloopy and also, I am extremely pale and I used it (factor 30) for the whole 2 weeks and didn't get burnt/red at all!I got it in boots buy 1 get 1 free You should definitely check it out!I'll be using it next year!

charlietheminxx

charlietheminxx wrote: »

Piz Buin Once a Day in factor 30 (although it does need to be applied twice a day :P)

Lavidabonita wrote: »

I just came back from Spain and I used Garniers sun cream.

Afaik they don't provide 5 star UVA protection which would be a priority for me.

charlietheminxx

Deleted User wrote: »

Afaik they don't provide 5 star UVA protection which would be a priority for me.

REALLY?! I never knew that - I always though Piz Buin was the best :eek:

puffishoes

charlietheminxx wrote: »

REALLY?! I never knew that - I always though Piz Buin was the best :eek:

Whatever works best for you is the best.

I use Piz Buin and garnier and I'm extremely sensitive to uv and they've both been fine.

charlietheminxx

Well it was recommended to me by my doctor when I was 19, because I'm a pale redhead and have a pre-disposition to cellular dermatofibroma (can't spell!). Anyway, I've always been careful with my skin but I've sworn by that stuff ever since... I would hate to think I have unknowingly been neglecting to protect myself from UVA though

puffishoes

charlietheminxx wrote: »

Well it was recommended to me by my doctor when I was 19, because I'm a pale redhead and have a pre-disposition to cellular dermatofibroma (can't spell!). Anyway, I've always been careful with my skin but I've sworn by that stuff ever since... I would hate to think I have unknowingly been neglecting to protect myself from UVA though

Yes I was diagnosed with something relating to UV that I can't spell either

it's essentially an allergic reaction to UVA/B if it didn't have UVA protection I would be walking around as a giant pimple

I also top up with a factor 80 spray just to be sure

charlietheminxx

Is it solar urticaria? One of my friends has that! It's really rare isn't it?

puffishoes

charlietheminxx wrote: »

Is it solar urticaria? One of my friends has that! It's really rare isn't it?

It's Hawaian Tropic.

Yes it can be hard to find the last batch I got was from the Dominican republic i think.

I think amazon does have it from time to time too!

charlietheminxx

I meant the skin condition

puffishoes

charlietheminxx wrote: »

I meant the skin condition

hahaha.

I can't remember the exact name it was given it's been 20 years or so since I looked into it but it's a form of Polymorphic Light Eruption

Miss Lockhart

I too have polymorphic light eruption. I was told suncream doesn't help. Obviously it still stops you getting burnt but it doesn't stop the allergic reaction to the light.

I use Ambre Solaire Factor 50 for my body and La Roche Posay for my face. I find them both excellent - but everybody is sensitive to different ingredients (if allergies are an issue).

I don't find any suncreams make a difference to my PLE - I just have to keep covered.

puffishoes

Miss Lockhart wrote: »

I too have polymorphic light eruption. I was told suncream doesn't help. Obviously it still stops you getting burnt but it doesn't stop the allergic reaction to the light.

I use Ambre Solaire Factor 50 for my body and La Roche Posay for my face. I find them both excellent - but everybody is sensitive to different ingredients (if allergies are an issue).

I don't find any suncreams make a difference to my PLE - I just have to keep covered.

I think the effect's greatly differ between people who have it, I spend a lot of time in Italy and there factor 50 doesn't really help it still comes out. but in Ireland as long as I top up at least every hour or so I don't get the physical reaction on the skin.

Others seem to be fine if they stay out of the sun at peak hours where for me it can be 7 am in the morning and I'll still get the reaction.

It can be a bit of a nuisance

FueledByAisling

I don't have any product recommendations but I do have some things to consider when buying them as this is what I saw on a science program and double checked with my dermatologist

* Make sure the sun cream is BOTH UVA and UVB protective, UVA protects against the cologen in your skin being damaged (eg wrinkles and sun spots!) and UVB protects against the burning of your skin

*Wear nothing less than a factor 50 on your face as the skin is at it's thinnest there and you'll notice aging the most there.

molly09

I use the spf 50 La Roche Posay , I put in on in the morn before makeup adn after moisturer,

I dont top up during teh day, just wondering should I be topping up, I am pale and sensitive to sun also?

Miss Lockhart

puffishoes wrote: »

I think the effect's greatly differ between people who have it, I spend a lot of time in Italy and there factor 50 doesn't really help it still comes out. but in Ireland as long as I top up at least every hour or so I don't get the physical reaction on the skin.

Others seem to be fine if they stay out of the sun at peak hours where for me it can be 7 am in the morning and I'll still get the reaction.

It can be a bit of a nuisance

Yes I'm sure there are probably different levels of sensitivity. I react in Ireland even on a seemingly cloudy day. Even sunlight through a window is enough to set it off.