So yesterday was officially the hottest day of the year and was on a par with Brazil (or so Phil Schofield says) - and I can well believe it. A simple trip to take Dex to nursery left poor Heidi severely dehydrated so she spent the afternoon in bed cradling a bottle of water.
The sun is hard on babies, fact. Sitting outside in my garden I can hear dozens of neighbouring children splashing away in paddling pools and having fun - yet the babies are crying. They can’t voice how much they’re suffering, or even understand why they’re uncomfortable.
Toddlers fare slightly better, but you can’t be too careful with their skin. Their delicate skin simply isn’t mature enough to withstand prolonged sun exposure. If you needed more convincing, studies have shown that the chances of developing skin cancer in later life are raised dramatically if a child gets sunburn - in fact, just one blistering sun burn can double the risk.
There’s no shortage of children’s sun care out there. I’ve reviewed several products myself, and am so pleased to see formulations changing and brands considering the needs of children. Not only do you need high SPF and both UVA and UVB protection, you’ll also want to ensure you choose something with a non-sticky and quick drying texture to make it easier to apply on your cream-phobic wriggler. Brands that approach this innovatively always catch my eye so The Sun Mousse was firmly up there as one I wanted to try.
So what is The Sun Mousse?
RRP: £17.99 - Available from Hunter and Health
For kids: SPF 30 & 50 (high) / For grown-ups: SPF 20 (medium) & SPF 30 & 50 (high)
It’s a winner because it’s less fussy and messy than runny creams and greasy sprays. You can pin your child down with one hand and apply with the other without the fear of it dripping on your carpet. One golf-sized blob per limb is more than enough to provide a generous layer of protection.
Moreover its special formula means it rapidly absorbs into the skin’s outer layer, working within the epidermis to provide immediate and lasting UVA and UVB sun protection. It’s doesn’t require a lot of rubbing in, and dries to a transparent finish making it super easy to apply to wriggly toddlers without ruining their clothes.
The non-oily formulation means you won’t be left with an unpleasant sticky residue, but it also allows the skin to breathe, making it the perfect sun protection for both face and body. Its moisturising properties and light texture leave the skin feeling soft and smooth to the touch, and by not clogging the pores, it is also much less likely to cause prickly heat or aggravate other sun-induced allergies.
The press release above also states that sun filters absorb into the skin, making them less likely to be washed away by water, sweat or toweling. This doesn’t make it water resistant so you will need to reapply instantly (unlike Ultrasun). I’m not going to give it too much of a black mark though as Dexter actually enjoys me applying it and my kids aren’t surgically attached to the paddling pool. If you stay away from water it also offers some 6 hours worth of protection.
It’s fragrance-free, there’s no harsh or chemical smell to irritate sensitive skin. There’s also no parabens, perfume or colouring which is incredibly reassuring as my two have eczema-prone skin. For mums and dads battling the same sensitivities, I’m happy to report that this is incredibly gentle and leaves their skin silky smooth at the end of the day.
As it’s a mousse, it comes in a pressurised can. This is compressed however so is diddy enough (150ml) to fit comfortably in school bags and handbags. Naturally, there’s a lid to ensure it doesn’t squirt out and ruin the other bits in your bag. Better still, as it’s an aerosol no bacteria can penetrate into the can, therefore prolonging its shelf-life. This means a single can last up to 3 years if stored away from direct sunlight.
We’ve been using the Kids SPF 30 & 50 and are really impressed with it. The kids love the noise as the mousse comes out, and coating their skin in it. Of course it’s a double edged sword as I can’t leave them alone with the can or they’d use it up in one afternoon! If you pop some on Dexter’s hand he’ll chase Heidi around the living room with it, and smear it on her halfing the job for me - bonus!
I’d definitely consider buying again and would wholeheartedly recommend for children of all skin types for at-home use - you just can not be too careful with their skin. To check them out for yourselves, head to the website or follow on Facebook and Twitter for exclusive product offers, information and fabulous competitions.
