Sunscreen choices

rick_chasey

As we head into summer I wondered what sunscreen people use for their summer rides?

I tend to opt for the P20 spray, mainly as it seems water proof enough that it doesn’t sweat out and doesn’t end up in your eyes and it seems to last a fairly long time, but I’m conscious that a)it’s pretty nasty stuff that stains everything and b) it’s UV rating is only 4 stars and c) it leaves you shining like you’re about to enter a body building contest.

What do you lot use?

photonic69

Ambre Solaire Spf 50. The stuff that is white and you squeeze out of the bottle. Fed up wasting the spray stuff. I use NIVEA SUN Spray SPF50, the clear stuff on the baldy bits of my head.
I also take a travel tube of the Ambre Solaire factor 50 in my pocket if i'm out all day. Its very thick and makes you look like you've an accident with Dulux Pure Brilliant White Emulsion but it stops sun damage for sure.

First.Aspect

Mineral stuff for me.

The clear spray stuff in the white and orange bottle. Can't remember the brand.

alwaystimetotorque

First.Aspect said:

Mineral stuff for me.

The clear spray stuff in the white and orange bottle. Can't remember the brand.

This - Riemann P20 - great stuff

photonic69

alwaystimetotorque said:

First.Aspect said:

Mineral stuff for me.

The clear spray stuff in the white and orange bottle. Can't remember the brand.

This - Riemann P20 - great stuff

Yeah, its good but as the OP states it stains fabrics. Quite badly. I've ruined 3 tops and 2 caps and it made the plastic of my glasses go brittle. Apart from that it works very well. Hence me moving onto the other brands I mention.

First.Aspect

Its this stuff.

https://www.superdrug.com/skin/sun-care/sun-protection-sprays/ambre-solaire-invisible-protect-refresh-spray-spf50-200ml/p/815890?gclid=EAIaIQobChMIrcmmm5O2_wIVy8ftCh2LfwkoEAQYASABEgIuBfD_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds

Can't say I've every noticed it staining anything.

pblakeney

P20 liquid.

mrb123

We use Ultrasun. Lasts a full sweaty day of cycling or walking. Doesn't stain clothes.

rick_chasey

photonic69 said:

Ambre Solaire Spf 50. The stuff that is white and you squeeze out of the bottle. Fed up wasting the spray stuff. I use NIVEA SUN Spray SPF50, the clear stuff on the baldy bits of my head.
I also take a travel tube of the Ambre Solaire factor 50 in my pocket if i'm out all day. Its very thick and makes you look like you've an accident with Dulux Pure Brilliant White Emulsion but it stops sun damage for sure.

Does it sweat out? That’s the problem I tend to have with creams, even the P20 kids version.

MidlandsGrimpeur2

Garnier factor 50, although aldi used to do one which is just as good. If you are out in the sun for any prolonged period, I think factor 50 is the best option.

My understanding has always been not to rub it in like skin cream, you actually want a layer of it sitting on the skin for the best protection (saw a dermatologist say it on a programme once!)

super_davo

Aldi now do a knock off Rieman for about a fiver... Seems to work reasonably well so far but haven't given it a thorough test yet

photonic69

rick_chasey said:

photonic69 said:

Ambre Solaire Spf 50. The stuff that is white and you squeeze out of the bottle. Fed up wasting the spray stuff. I use NIVEA SUN Spray SPF50, the clear stuff on the baldy bits of my head.
I also take a travel tube of the Ambre Solaire factor 50 in my pocket if i'm out all day. Its very thick and makes you look like you've an accident with Dulux Pure Brilliant White Emulsion but it stops sun damage for sure.

Does it sweat out? That’s the problem I tend to have with creams, even the P20 kids version.

It seems to last fairly well but as with most sun creams they recommend re-applying throughout the day. P20 spray is the best for longevity but as you know it stains stuff really badly.

Don't use the Ambre Solaire Invisible Protect Refresh Spray SPF50 from the link posted above. It's a really horrible, oily spray. It used to be really good and dry to a protective layer. I bought two bottles last year but I think they re-formulated and ruined it. I got into a swimming pool and the slick it left on the surface was like something from BP’s Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill! I can't use it on my baldy head bits without looking like i have been using my late dad's Vaseline Hair Tonic lotion. I'm using it up on my legs during rides just to save chucking it but it's so oily that road dust/crap/insects just stick to it. You've been warned.

Actually I might try it as a chain lube, so all's not lost.

joeyhalloran

I use the P20 and have never noticed any staining on any of my clothes, nor have I noticed being particularly shiny after application.

What is nasty about it?

P20 is about the only suncream I can tolerate putting on, everything else is just way too claggy.

me-109

Amber Solaire SPF6 spray, usually sprayed into hands and rubbed on to avoid turning the bathroom floor into a slippery death trap.

First.Aspect

rick_chasey said:

photonic69 said:

Ambre Solaire Spf 50. The stuff that is white and you squeeze out of the bottle. Fed up wasting the spray stuff. I use NIVEA SUN Spray SPF50, the clear stuff on the baldy bits of my head.
I also take a travel tube of the Ambre Solaire factor 50 in my pocket if i'm out all day. Its very thick and makes you look like you've an accident with Dulux Pure Brilliant White Emulsion but it stops sun damage for sure.

Does it sweat out? That’s the problem I tend to have with creams, even the P20 kids version.

I use that stuff linked above when scuba diving. Sea water at 30C is basically sweat, and it seems to last okay.

exiger1272

If its ultimate protection you are looking for then Ultrasun Extreme its non staining and I have ridden for 15 hours+ in the Middle East with one application and I can burn in half that time with P20 though I'm very fair and used to use P20 as other than the staining it was the next best thing I found

photonic69

exiger1272 said:

If its ultimate protection you are looking for then Ultrasun Extreme its non staining and I have ridden for 15 hours+ in the Middle East with one application and I can burn in half that time with P20 though I'm very fair and used to use P20 as other than the staining it was the next best thing I found

Yeah, sounds great but at £20 per 100ml vs £2.50 per 100ml for the others with similar protection it looks very pricey

exiger1272

I get the 400ml - £54 on Amazon so 13.50 per 100ml
P20 on Amazon £25.75 for 200ml so about same though I fully accept their are much cheaper and less effective alternatives

rick_chasey

I’ll check out ultrasun thanks.

pangolin

I use nivea spray on sensitive, 30 or 50, because that's what we have for the kids. Slightly different price bracket

pblakeney

exiger1272 said:

I get the 400ml - £54 on Amazon so 13.50 per 100ml
P20 on Amazon £25.75 for 200ml so about same though I fully accept their are much cheaper and less effective alternatives

P20 is £17 for 200ml at Costco.

pblakeney

pangolin said:

I use nivea spray on sensitive, 30 or 50, because that's what we have for the kids. Slightly different price bracket

Is that the one you have to re-apply every 30 minutes instead of once a day? Calculate cost on a daily basis. Add on faff factor.

rick_chasey

pangolin said:

I use nivea spray on sensitive, 30 or 50, because that's what we have for the kids. Slightly different price bracket

Genuinely, does this not sweat out after 20 mins?

sungod

if i'm going to be out all day in lanzarote, where the uv level is waaaaay higher than the uk, i use the nivea spf20 or 30 'protect & refresh' spray, same that i use for lazing by the pool

it goes on around 7 in the morning, i get back 2-3 in the afternoon, a lot of sweat as heat can be 35-45 degrees, it's fine - though i am already tanned so less likely get caught by the sun

if you're concerned you may need to reapply, just put some of whatever you prefer in a small plastic bottle, 50ml isn't going to take a lot of pocket space

wallace_and_gromit

rick_chasey said:

pangolin said:

I use nivea spray on sensitive, 30 or 50, because that's what we have for the kids. Slightly different price bracket

Genuinely, does this not sweat out after 20 mins?

I’ve used Nivea (pump action blue bottles) for years and if it does sweat out after 20 mins then I’m impervious to sunlight re burning as I’ve never burnt.

I use factor 30 in general now, after a dermatologist advised me that factor 50 is too effective. Something to do with Vitamin D production, which factor 50 inhibits for no material extra protection.

I do use factor 50 on my face and ears etc when in the mountains of U.K. heatwaves.

Nivea is “the smell of summer”!

Mrs W&G was a big fan of P20 until it stained her favourite top ten years ago.

gethinceri

p20

rick_chasey

wallace_and_gromit said:

rick_chasey said:

pangolin said:

I use nivea spray on sensitive, 30 or 50, because that's what we have for the kids. Slightly different price bracket

Genuinely, does this not sweat out after 20 mins?

I’ve used Nivea (pump action blue bottles) for years and if it does sweat out after 20 mins then I’m impervious to sunlight re burning as I’ve never burnt.

I use factor 30 in general now, after a dermatologist advised me that factor 50 is too effective. Something to do with Vitamin D production, which factor 50 inhibits for no material extra protection.

I do use factor 50 on my face and ears etc when in the mountains of U.K. heatwaves.

Nivea is “the smell of summer”!

Mrs W&G was a big fan of P20 until it stained her favourite top ten years ago.

I’m interested in the comment re factor 50 as that’s what I use.

I seem to pick up colour regardless of how liberally, frequently I use it, and I’ve found 50 is the only level that slows it down (and I do really liberally use it).

Any more info on it?

(Especially as other medication I have reduces the absorption of vitamin D as it is)

crescent

The first time we took our kids to sunnier climes we used P20, on a friend's recommendation and because it was marketed as a one-off application each day and very water resistant. As almost everyone else has said, it stains clothes, especially white ones. I seem to remember an instruction on the bottle that it had to be applied an hour before exposure to the sun to allow it to bond to the skin, this also helps to reduce the staining, if you have the time to apply it and wait an hour before getting fully dressed. Ultimately, they didn't get burnt at all, despite being in and out of the sea/pool most of the day and came home with a lovely, golden tan. Being of a Scottish persuasion, I can burn under a 40w bulb, so always go for minimum 30spf with 50spf on nose and ears. Boots own brand "Soltan" seems to be good and I have just returned from Majorca with no crispy bits whatsoever.
If you want to go the whole hog, you can buy UV deflecting barrier cream which will protect with no tanning whatsoever.

pangolin

rick_chasey said:

pangolin said:

I use nivea spray on sensitive, 30 or 50, because that's what we have for the kids. Slightly different price bracket

Genuinely, does this not sweat out after 20 mins?

No it doesn't seem to. On a hot day if I'm out a lot I might apply it once in the morning and top up once more. And I sweat lots!

wallace_and_gromit

rick_chasey said:

wallace_and_gromit said:

rick_chasey said:

pangolin said:

I use nivea spray on sensitive, 30 or 50, because that's what we have for the kids. Slightly different price bracket

Genuinely, does this not sweat out after 20 mins?

I’ve used Nivea (pump action blue bottles) for years and if it does sweat out after 20 mins then I’m impervious to sunlight re burning as I’ve never burnt.

I use factor 30 in general now, after a dermatologist advised me that factor 50 is too effective. Something to do with Vitamin D production, which factor 50 inhibits for no material extra protection.

I do use factor 50 on my face and ears etc when in the mountains of U.K. heatwaves.

Nivea is “the smell of summer”!

Mrs W&G was a big fan of P20 until it stained her favourite top ten years ago.

I’m interested in the comment re factor 50 as that’s what I use.

I seem to pick up colour regardless of how liberally, frequently I use it, and I’ve found 50 is the only level that slows it down (and I do really liberally use it).

Any more info on it?

(Especially as other medication I have reduces the absorption of vitamin D as it is)

I don’t really have much extra detail tbh. The dermatologist just advised me to switch from 50 to 30 in general as 30 provides as much protection against the sun as she thought I needed, and also helps re Vit D much more than 50 does.

I think the key is that the advice re 30 was specific to me after a fairly prolonged examination / questioning. I’d been referred as I had a suspicious-looking mole.

pblakeney

Must be remembered that spf numbers are geometric at the top of the curve*. 50 is marginally better than 20 and nowhere near the double some think it is.

*I’ve probably not explained that well.