Protecting cell DNA in under-12s, it’s ideal if you want to ensure little ones’ skin is being kept safe at pretty much every level – studies have shown the ingredient can help UV-related cell and DNA damage to regenerate more rapidly. There’s lots of choice. I tried the three products mentioned above but there’s also a sports range, a Glimmer 20SPF version, Family options. Lots. My Ultrasun review: the downside? It is impressively lightweight for something that’s got high protection, including filtering 91-99% of UVA. lasts for two years, thanks to the airless pumps which stop the ingredients deteriorating – which also means more value for the money With my suitcase almost always full to bursting, a multitasking product always gets my vote. And after a lazing day chilling out (or one scampering round after a five-year-old), I’m also very happy to have one product to apply at the end of it – no need to choose between protecting skin and looking good.

I did get a bit of a glow after sunbathing but was quite happy with that result (I know, I know, it’s still sun damage but we’re not talking leather handbag here and it makes me look a bit more alive in midwinter). The Face 30SPF Tinted is sheer genius: dark enough to make even my very pale (and presumably extremely interesting) skin look tanned but not grubby on day one. a once-a-day formula – vital when she was an unwilling toddler, still really useful as a resigned five-year-old who would much rather be doing something else If you’re as pale as me and you’ve ever used fake tan, you’ll also know that however careful you are, it’s easy to end up with random brown patches.

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And the Swiss boffins who created it have also managed to provide a shelf life of two years, compared to an average of six to 12 months, so you can hang on to it safely. I have to keep putting it on… If it isn’t swum off, wriggled off or simply worn off, I have to repeat the above over and over again unless I find a once-a-day formula which works. Which adds so much joy to my holiday.

More to the point, does it work? One week swimming and exploring on an island that’s less than 500 miles from the equator and she didn’t burn. Instantly cooling and hydrating, it’s more than a nice moisturiser, helping the skin’s own moisture retention, so it feels lovely, ensures skin recovers better from any sun exposure, turns you gently tanned and smells nice. It’s actually skincare in disguise. Oh, I’ve seen endless sun protection products which seem to have plenty of built-in bonuses, but never ones which actually deliver – this time I ditched some of my normal daily products as my skin was so happy with the moisturising and protecting ingredients. If you’ve ever used fake tan, you’ll know exactly that lingering aroma that comes with it – I won’t say there is no hint of it at all, but it’s definitely hidden by the fresh aftersun scent. The whole range comes in a once-a-day formula so I could put it on before breakfast and not worry about it again – Ultrasun promises ‘Products don’t rub off with sweat, towel drying, swimming or showering’.

Reviews

With a light breeze blowing from the sea as we splashed in the deliciously cool water of the hotel pool, it was easy to forget how fierce the tropical Malaysian sun really is. Ultrasun Kids SPF50+ delivers the same very high protection from both UVA (95%) and UVB (SPF50+) as the ever popular Ultrasun Extreme SPF50+, with an added ingredient called Celligent® which offers enhanced protection for the fragile DNA of developing skin cells. Minnie will never be enthusiastic about having suntan lotion put on, but while she can normally find something to complain about when I cream her up (even my beloved glimmer version is too sparkly, the first time she’s ever considered sparkles less than desirable), the only objection this holiday was that my hands were cold! The reason it’s aimed at under 12s is that by this point, skin has had enough general exposure over the years that it won’t get the same benefits – although there’s nothing to stop you snaffling a bit and making the most of the UVA/UVB benefits though, which I’ve done more than once.