Suncream minefield

blablablacksheep

With weather getting hotter and the red lobsters making a show, I'm interested to see what suncream to use.

I used to use P20, and personally its been great, apply morning do whatever you want, get wet, doesn't matter, although it stinks,and I keep away from face due to this I'd give it 4/5.

But!, recently read something which is worrying/needs to be cleared up esp given bike radar reviewed this cream.

UVB,burns skin,p20 is Very effective at stopping this...... UVA causes cancer..... P20 from what I can gather has 0 protection thus your increasing your cancer risk if you use this cream!

I read a review by Dr who said avoid this cream as it is not effective.... Very worrying given British Tri supports it.

What do I use now then?

keef66

This from the P20 website:

Does P20 contain both UVA and UVB protection?

Yes, all products in the P20 range contain both UVA and UVB filters and so they give you a long-lasting, broad spectrum photostable UV protection.

I use whichever was cheapest in Superdrug the week before we go on holiday every year. This year I'm mainly smelling of coconuts

supermurph09

As recommended on here, I use Piz Buin 1 day long and it's been brilliant, spent over 5 hours in the sun riding and didn't burn. However, my mrs used it when gardening and came out in a horrible rash and terrible itching. There was also a Watchdog programme about it http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b006mg7 ... irritation so be careful if you choose it.

drlodge

I use Banana Boat Sport Performance SPF 50 and it works fine. On my face I'll use Clinique M-lotion with SPF 21 since (a) I use normal M lotion every day and (b) it tends not to sting the eyes.

cattytown

P20 fan here - I think older versions used to be weak on UVA, but they claim better now.

Piz Buin is at best OK - there are a lot of people who seem to have nasty reactions, and while the front of the box says "six hours" the back still instructs regular reapplication, especially after getting wet. The tube I bought is relegated to the boot of the car as emergency protection.

hatch87

I think I'm to busy looking down gritting my teeth to worry about my face burning.

drlodge

hatch87 wrote:

I think I'm to busy looking down gritting my teeth to worry about my face burning.

I'm not worried about my face. There are 3 areas where I get burnt, in this order:
- Back of the neck
- Arms, particularly the tops
- legs above the knee

deswahriff

I'm a freckled, fair skinned celt and Puiz Buin all day factor 15 is absolutely fine for me.....spent all day at festivals and cycle tours on only one application with barely a sign of tan never mind burn. No nasty side effects for me either.....do read the application instructions, apply liberally and leave for a short time before going out in the sun....works for me...

chrispower80

+1 for Puiz Buin all day
I'm a ginger and used it while cycling in Spain last month. Even though i was sweating heavily I never burned and most importantly, unlike P20, it didn't sting if it ran into my eyes

Sprool

Boots suncreams are very rigorously tested, they introduced a far better testing regime than the old factor 15,20, etc, that only measured UV-B. Just remember to apply lots, and reapply regularly. Its only as good as the amount that stays in place on your skin. I dont trust the all day stuff at all.

bigpikle

long time P20 user and got some spf 30 and spf50 versions this year for long days out and also for the family to use by the beach all day and in/out of the pool etc. Has always worked well for me in G Canaria, S France, Spain etc in serious sun.

johncp

Sprool wrote:

Boots suncreams are very rigorously tested, they introduced a far better testing regime than the old factor 15,20, etc, that only measured UV-B. Just remember to apply lots, and reapply regularly. Its only as good as the amount that stays in place on your skin. I dont trust the all day stuff at all.

Because you tried it and burned or just cause you're cynical? I've used P20 for windsurfing all day in Greece in August wearing nothing but board shorts and a smile and been absolutely fine

cattytown

I have a tendency to burn - no problem on P20. It also dries more than other sunscreens, so if on a beach I get less sand sticking to me.

sloppyschleckonds

My chiropractor recommends factor 50 on all exposed skin

Rodders30

I had a tester pot of p20 and found it great. But when i saw the price of p20 in tesco i went for Calypso once a day f40. I actually think it spreads easier and dries just like p20 on the skin. Also over half the price.

Bozman

Coppertone sports spray spf 30, it's not greasy, it's water proof and the protection lasts, I apply before I put my jersey on and let it dry which takes seconds.The downside, you need to order it from the states.
I found that P20 stains clothing but to be fair I've read reports of the latest version of Coppertone doing that too, I've never had an issue though.

nferrar

Used P20 for ages and not had staining, there is a distinct smell to it but it's not nauseating IMO. Not really sure it matters if it stings if it goes in your eyes, does anyone really use it on their brow? My ears/nose/cheeks I use a pot of balm stuff that also protects your lips. Only downside (apart from the cost) is all the little flies stick to it but I guess any that don't completely blend into the skin do this
The stuff that Aldi sometimes sells looks to be a very similar bottle to P20, wondered if it's the same stuff but not bought any yet to compare - has anyone else?

plowmar

Piz Buin 15 for me, never a problem. Especially as I suffer from a loss of pigment which is the bodies protection element, and none of the areas this is occuring burn if pretreated.

dave35

Poking my nose in here, if you get the piz buin all day cream please do a patch test-I didn't know about the bbc article but wish I did.
Spent a week off work covered in a red itchy rash/blistered skin and a whole day spent with one eye completely closed,had to have steroid jabs and on tablets to bring the swelling under control.
Been offered £5 by the makers so that will help with the non paid time off work.

Druidor

If I can be bothered to put on cream its the kids factor 50.

I do not tan easily unlike the wife who can be tanned under a lightbulb.

al_kidder

Ginger headed Australian with an expert opinion. I've been burned to blistering, and lost at least 6 or 7 layers of skin every summer as a teenager. Make sure that whatever you use has Ti or Zn oxide in it. If you can get the Australian Cancer Council product at SPF 30 or 50, that will be good enough for any non albino.

Love your heatwave LOL 30 degrees!!!! 200 sqm wildfires!!!!

g00se

+1 for P20 here. I've got a couple of bottles left from last year and it has both uva and uvb.

BUT - you need to put it on 15 minutes before you head out - so the alcohol evaporates. That way, it wont run into your eyes - and stops smelling.

Sprool

Johncp wrote:

Sprool wrote:

Boots suncreams are very rigorously tested, they introduced a far better testing regime than the old factor 15,20, etc, that only measured UV-B. Just remember to apply lots, and reapply regularly. Its only as good as the amount that stays in place on your skin. I dont trust the all day stuff at all.

Because you tried it and burned or just cause you're cynical? I've used P20 for windsurfing all day in Greece in August wearing nothing but board shorts and a smile and been absolutely fine

I went like a lobster and peeled for the next 2 days.

gethinceri

P20 for defferz, discounted at Tesco at the mo'.

davidwilcock

Stick with the P20, its another level compared to other creams, I burn easily but absolutely fine with P20.