Holidays: Tips for staying safe in the sun
I love how the sun makes me feel while I’m on holiday – warm, alive and happy! But I don’t love that it can be a health risk. My uncle died of melanoma more than a decade ago, and I’m keen to protect my family from harmful rays.
I was introduced to Ultrasun a couple of years ago, when we were asked to try out the products on a trip to Antigua. It’s been protecting us ever since! Ultrasun is based in Switzerland and its products, made with patented liposome technology, only need to be applied once a day to provide protection from a broad range of UV rays – even after swimming and showering!
Here are some tips from Ultrasun on how to keep the family safe in the sun:
1. It matters HOW you apply sun protection! Make sure to apply 15-30 minutes BEFORE you go outside, preferably apply it while you are inside. Avoid applying sun cream to hot skin while outside as it can evaporate and not be as effective! Use about a teaspoon each for your face and extremities.
2. Keep babies covered. Babies 6 months and younger should stay out of the sun completely. Cover all skin and use a broad hat and stroller canopy.
3. All shade is not created equal. Shelter in the shade during the sun’s strongest hours (11 – 3). 90% of harmful rays can penetrate clouds! And 70% can get through trees and umbrellas. The shorter your shadow, the higher your risk of sun burn!
4. Make sun protection part of your daily holiday routine. Put on sun protection in the morning before you leave in the morning – even if you are just going to breakfast. Then it becomes part of what you do each day, and you are unlikely to have to apply sun cream at the last minute.
5. Know what you are using. Read the label and make sure your product has enough SPF and UVA protection. Children need a high level of protection. There’s a difference between 50 and 50+ (the latter must achieve at least 60 to earn the plus). UVA rays can do the most damage, going deep to the subcutaneous layers of skin. Check the percentage of your product. The EU standard is 33% (Ultrasun is over 90%).
Disclosure: We were sent Ultra Sun products for the purpose of this review. All opinions are my own and my family’s.
Sonia | 22nd Mar 17
Will have to have a look into this for when we go to the Caribbean in June x
Emma | 20th Mar 17
I love Ultrasun, it’s one of my favourite sun screen brands. I’m a factor 50 kind of girl!
Kara | 20th Mar 17
Great tips, I have very sensitive skin so have to stay out of the sun as much as possible but have used ultrasun before and got on with out really well
JuggleMum, Nadine Hill | 16th Mar 17
I love your pic of all the little bottles lined up round the pool!! That’s the sort of thing I do on holiday, I’m sure other holidaymakers – normal people, not bloggers who would understand, think I’m nuts!
It really is crucial to protect ourselves from the sun and I love how this is only a once a day application – perfect for my water babies who I constantly have to nag to reapply sunscreen!
Kate Williams | 16th Mar 17
Great tips, I shudder to think about how much I used to gloss over the importance of a high SPF when I was younger, thankfully I’m always really careful with my kids!
Nichola - Globalmouse | 16th Mar 17
Thank you for the reminder – we’re about to travel to the sun and actually I hadn’t even thought about the difference betweet 50 and 50+ so will definitely be looking into that from our products.
Jaime Oliver | 11th Mar 17
We are currently looking for a sun creams for our may holiday and are looking for minimal fuss, this sounds super so will head over and take a read
Thanks
susanna | 16th Mar 17
You’ll love this Jamie!
Juliet | 11th Mar 17
I have used the face protection one of these products and it is very good. I buy it regularly now, define recommend it, I have a lot of pigmentation on my face that appeared when I was pregnant so it’s very important I apply this screen to help prevent it getting worse. Also helps with pigmentation we all get when skin ages.
susanna | 16th Mar 17
Covering my face, and the girls, is one of my priorities too! x