Whether you're planning a summer holiday to the South of France with the family this summer or a staycation in Southampton, one thing you'll need to pack is sun cream. We might not enjoy some of the heatwaves our European cousins experience, but the danger of sunburn and UV damage is still there.
Being fair skinned means I'm acutely aware of the need to stay protected in the sun, and therefore have a box full of various (in date) lotions, potions and accessories to avoid the dreaded sunburn. However, children often hate the process of slathering on the thick creams and staying out of the sun.
So, in the interests of avoiding a grumpy and burnt offspring, here are a few products and tips to keep them safe.
Firstly, you'll need to make sure your sun creams are within date, as they lose their protection after a certain length of time. As a rule of thumb, I tend to buy a new bottle each year rather than chancing it on last year's. At the moment I love the one application sun creams that last for six hours, saving you time tackling your kids for their hourly top up. Soltan Kids Once Lotion Pouch has an SPF of 40, and it's small enough to pop in your handbag. Just don't forget to reapply the cream if they venture into the sea or pool.
There are a fair number of coloured sun creams, which are fun to apply but I think the novelty factor tends to wear off fairly quickly. Another novelty product for sun cream is the roll-on. Superdrug offer the Solait Kids Roll On SPF30 which is another compact option with easy application.
Sun cream isn't the only way of keeping safe in the sun. Kool Sun offers a selection of clothing that offers protection from the sun's harsh rays. They've even got a range of sunglasses for babies and children, as the eye area is more sensitive to sun damage.
Do you have any fail safe products for sun protection? How do you keep your kids safe in the sun?