Ambre Solaire Kids

...to everything. Not a lot Ambre Solaire can do about that... maybe? They claim on the bottle that this product has 'high sand resistance'!!! I personally haven't noticed that - I think that if you have any cream or moisture on your skin sand will stick to it, so I can't give an answer either way on that one! Maybe they're right? I'm not sure!

However, I shall get on with the purposeful part of the review........

I myself ...
...but I still buy this Ambre Solaire Kids Total Sunscreen for my children, as it has a high (or apparently 'maximum') SPF of 60. This basically means that the product protects up to 60 times the normal natural sun protection against sun burn your skin offers. It is also water resistant (up to 40 times more than non-water resistant sunscreen), handy for days out at the pool and, yes the beach - and although it says 'water resistant' - it doesn't mean ... more

I decided to review this kids' sunscreen as I believe it is such an important issue, having had a mole removed because it started to change shape and size, due to sun exposure. I used to visit the local sun-tanning shop on a regular basis, many years ago. Suffice to say, I've 'seen the error of my ways' and are now looking for a good 'fake tan!!!'

I've used other sunscreen products many times, and have found this particular brand to be the best so far. It's difficult to protect your kids from the sun, especially when on holiday - those sandy beaches........ * floats away imagining a sandy beach, blue sky, crystal clear water ............comes back to reality with a bump - remembering to try to put sun cream on the kids without getting sand in it *..... rubbing in sand-infested sunscreen is AWFUL! Ouch!

I would love to say that this product will be 'sand-free' and sand just doesn't stick to it. Sand will generally get into and on to everything. Not a lot Ambre Solaire can do about that... maybe? They claim on the bottle that this product has 'high sand resistance'!!! I personally haven't noticed that - I think that if you have any cream or moisture on your skin sand will stick to it, so I can't give an answer either way on that one! Maybe they're right? I'm not sure!

However, I shall get on with the purposeful part of the review........

I myself had to use kids sunscreen when I had laser treatment for a birthmark on my face - I had to buy the highest protection anyone could offer. Obviously, if I wanted a high SPF/maximum protection cream, I would have to use one made for children. So, I tried many, including Johnsons 50 SPF which I found was extremely greasy and not at all effective, but that's another review!

It has been about 8 years since my last go at laser treatment, and I'm able to use regular sunscreen these days, but I still buy this Ambre Solaire Kids Total Sunscreen for my children, as it has a high (or apparently 'maximum') SPF of 60. This basically means that the product protects up to 60 times the normal natural sun protection against sun burn your skin offers. It is also water resistant (up to 40 times more than non-water resistant sunscreen), handy for days out at the pool and, yes the beach - and although it says 'water resistant' - it doesn't mean 'water proof' - it will need reapplying frequently to avoid sun damage to the skin. Water also doesn't just mean swimming pool and sea - sweat is also considered a significant factor when having to reapply sunscreen! If you sweat a lot, reapply more often - sorry, but it's true!

This product also claims to provide 'better protection against sun burn and long term skin damage'. I guess we are all too aware of the ever increasing risk of skin cancers and melanomas, and use of sunscreen is a definite necessity these days. You can't be too careful with your skin, and skin care starts in childhood. This particular product is also anti UVA (principal cause of premature skin ageing, sun allergies and long term skin damage) and UVB (principal cause of sun burn), cutting down on these types of harmful rays' effects as much as possible, is always a good thing.

This time of year I tend to apply this sunscreen to my five year old in the morning, when she goes to school. They have a couple of 'outdoor' playtimes during the school day, especially when the weather is fine - and I've noticed recently that although it's cloudy, she can come back with a slightly red nose and cheeks! For the sake of two minutes to apply this sunscreen, it's well worth doing. I also think a sun hat is invaluable. As long as they remember to get it out of their bag and put it on, of course!

This sunscreen also claims to be 'hypoallergenic' (formulated and tested to minimise risk of allergic reactions), both myself and my two girls have fairly sensitive skin, and we've never personally had any kind of reaction to it (and tend to generally with other products!), so I guess it lives up to that claim nicely!

The product is also fragrance free - although when applied, the kids do tend to smell a bit.... well, like they've been in a swimming pool, very slightly, but it isn't an awful smell. Not overpowering like some.

Application, I've always found to be very easy. The cream itself is white in colour, so you can see where it's has been applied, and disappears as you rub it in. I find it's easily absorbed too. May leave the face a tiny bit shiny, but generally skin feels smooth after application. It is generally recommended to apply sunscreen 15 - 30 mins before exposure to the sun to be fully effective.

The only bugbear I have with this product is the design of the lid. The actual bottle itself is a nice shape, easy to hold in the hand (especially when hands are slippery!) and easy to squeeze with one hand. It's just that the lid is held on by a small flip-top 'bow-tie' shaped hinge, like most toiletry products I guess, but this one is only about 1cm wide. This could probably do with widening, as they generally break during normal use. The top then has no other means of staying on, and our bottles usually have brown tape securing them on, especially when in suitcases and bags! The flip top is definitely easier than screw-on lids though! Especially when trying to hold children by the arm to stop them getting away from you! If you can flip the lid while holding the bottle, all with one hand, it's a big plus!

Also, just a note about the bottle - I have a bottle of this sun cream which is the same as the above picture, but this is now an old version! If you're looking for it in the shops now, see the picture below! I personally buy a new bottle every year because I believe its effectiveness tends to reduce over time. Always use sunscreen within its expiry date (if given). Mine hasn't got an expiry date, so to be on the safe side, I tend to replace it annually. Also too, as it gets used so much, we don't generally get a lot left by the end of the summer!

Also, don't just assume that you're protected because you are wearing clothes etc. The sun's rays do sometimes go through some types of material, and can still cause some skin damage, remember to apply to all areas to stay protected all over.

Additional recommended sun protection information, as given by Laboratoires Garnier:-

According to Garnier's website:-
Children: Give them maximum protection:
Prolonged sun exposure and repeated sunburn during childhood can result in serious consequences in adult life. Children are more vulnerable to the sun and their melanin-forming system, which is responsible for tanning, is not yet fully mature. Children's skin therefore needs to be better protected against harmful rays. Children under the age of 3 should not be exposed to the sun.

APPLY GENEROUSLY ALL OVER YOUR CHILD'S FACE AND BODY BEFORE GOING OUT IN THE SUN: Certain areas are more sensitive to sunburn (back, calves, face and back of the neck). Don't miss them out! Make your kids wear a wide-brimmed hat that will protect their face, forehead and back of their neck.

RE-APPLY FREQUENTLY: After application, make sure you close the cap securely and keep it in the shade, away from the heat. From 11am to 3pm it's best to keep out of the sun as it is then that it's at its most active.

CHILDREN SHOULD TAKE A SHOWER OR BATH AT THE END OF THE DAY, THEN YOU CAN APPLY AN AFTER SUN: A bath or shower will get rid of salt and the sunscreen. Once skin is thoroughly dry, apply an after sun to soften and hydrate it.

SUN FILTRATION:
Ambre Solaire, suncare experts, have developed a patented, high technology filtration system, Mexoryl®, for reinforced protection against UV rays.

Visit: www.garnier.com, for more information on their products.

Other Garnier kids' suncare products available:
Kids Moisturing High Protection Milk (SPF25)
Kids Moisturing Protection Spray (SPF30)
Kids Colour Control Protection Spray with Mexoryl XL (SPF30)
Kids Milk with Mexoryl XL (SPF30)
Kids Colour Control with Mexoryl XL (SPF40)
Kids Total Sunscreen Milk (SPF60) (This reviewed product)

Their 'Ambre Solaire' kids sun protection products are supported by the 'British Skin Foundation'. For more information visit: www.britishskinfoundation.org.uk.

Hope this is useful! Sal x

 

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