Riemann P20 P20 Sun Filter High Protection > Reviews (30)

***What is it?***

Riemann P20 is a once a day sun protection cream. If applied as per the instructions it will last for approx 6 hours. It only comes in factor 20.

***How does it work?***

Rieman say:

The active ingredient in P20 is PABA (p-aminobenzoic acid), which is a natural substance found in the human body - it is also known as Vitamin H. When P20 is applied to the skin, the p-aminobenzoic acid is absorbed and binds to the keratin in the skin, a process that takes 90 minutes. Amazingly P20 gives high protection (SPF 20) against the sun's burning UVB rays but still lets through some UVA rays to allow you to tan. Result - a golden tan without the burn.

***What's it Like***

P20 comes in a round white bottle with a screw top. Across the front of the bottle is the name of the manufacturer "Riemann" with a a logo which rather resembles a red, orange and yellow rainbow underneath with P20 written on it in black. Beneath the rainbow it tells you: once a day sun filter, tan without burning, high protection SPF20, followed by 100ml or 200ml.

On the back are the application instructions and ingredients.

The product itself is a clear, oily looking liquid which doesn't particularly smell of anything. It's very runny and spreads easily.

Drying time varies from person to person but does take a fairly long time (approx 20-30 mins) but once the liquid is fully absorbed by your skin it doesn't leave that greasy/sticky feeling you can get after applying traditional sunscreen.

Whilst the P20 is drying it can make your skin feel quite tight but this feeling disappears after a couple of minutes.

***Ingredients***

Alcohol: Solvent for PABA the active ingredient of P20.

Aqua: Solvent, helps create the comfortable gel feel of the product.

Propylen glycol: Emollient, softens the skin and helps counteract any effect of the alcohol on the skin.

PABA: The active sunfilter in P20, vitamin complex known as vitamin H or vitamin BX.

Hydroxypropyl methylcellulose: Thickener for the P20 lotion.

***Application Instructions***

Apply P20 each morning in an even layer to clean, dry skin, 90 minutes before sunbathing or swimming, paying particular attention to vulnerable areas such as the face, shoulders, shins and feet.

First time users, fair or sensitive skin: follow the instructions as above, but then repeat the all-over application 10 minutes after the first application. This is recommended to make sure that P20 is applied adequately and in an even layer on the skin, thus providing the best possible protection.

If suffering from a skin disease, please consult your doctor before using P20.

Do not use a moisturiser before application as this will stop the P20 from binding with your skin.

A 100ml bottle should be sufficient for 1 person for a 1 week holiday.

***Advantages***

As mentioned earlier you only need to apply once during the day. I hate it when I'm on holiday and I need to turn over and do my back and have to wait for someone to put some more cream on it. This takes all that hassle away. You don't need to reapply even after swimming.

***Disadvantages***

The only major disadvantage that I have found is that it has a tendency to turn your nice sparkling white clothes a horrible yellow colour. To date though it has always washed out of my clothes easily and has not stained anything permanently. It just doesn't look too attractive when you're wandering around a market in the Caribbean trying to look cool and stylish in your new white sun dress which is gradually turning more and more yellow.

The other slight disadvantage is the drying/waiting time. When you apply it in the morning you have to wait 90 minutes before you can go and sit in the sun.

On me the lotion takes a long time to dry (at least 30 mins) and so I have to stand around in my room "au natural" waiting for it to soak in before I can get dressed. On my hubby it only takes around 15 minutes to soak in (which is just not fair) so it must depend on your skin type. Then if you wander down to breakfast, by the time you've eaten etc (sitting inside out of the sun) enough time has elapsed that you can then sit in the sun for the rest of the day without having to worry about reapplying.

***Price***

100ml - approx £11
200ml - approx £22

www.multipharmacy.com is the cheapest place I've found it starting around £18 for a 200ml bottle (the more bottles you buy the bigger the discount) but P20 is available in Asda, Superdrug, Waitrose, Wilkinsons, Quality Save, various other pharmacys and most airport duty free shops.

***Conclusion***

I've been using this now for approx 4 years and would not go back to traditional sun cream. I've rarely burnt whilst using P20 (which I always did when using the old method) and even though I'm allergic to most beauty products, I've never suffered a reaction to this.

Although it does seem expensive compared to most sun creams and I've never managed to find it on BOGOF or any other special offer other than via the internet I stand steadfast in my allegiance to P20.

Try it, you might never go back to traditional sun cream.

for further info:

Riemann & Co
Krakasvej 8
DK-3400 Hilleroed
Denmark

www.p20.com
www.p20.co.uk