Ultrasun review – family sun protection range

Writing about sun protection while wearing thermals seems a bit counter-intuitive – but just two weeks ago, the sun in Lanzarote was strong enough to burn.

So whether winter sun or a ski trip is on your horizon (or you’re being highly organised and thinking ahead to summer), I’ve discovered my new favourite sun protection range.

review product/contains affiliate links*

I hadn’t come across Ultrasun before I was sent the products for review on our last holiday but with three different bottles from the collection packed in the suitcase, both Minnie and I are converts. Here’s why I love Ultrasun for kids – and for me!

Things I hate about most sun protection

It’s sticky. I loathe having sticky hands and while you can get around it with sprays etc you’ve still got to rub it in, especially on a toddler.

I have to put it on a toddler. Who mostly hates suntan lotion, especially on her face and especially if it takes ages to rub in – which is usually the case for the high-protection SPF50 versions I use on her. 

Not all, admittedly, but anything thick, white and gloopy drives me mad. (Albeit not quite so mad that I abandon the attempt).

I have to keep putting it on… If it isn’t swum off, wriggled off or simply worn off, I have to repeat the above over and over again unless I find a once-a-day formula which works. Which adds so much joy to my holiday.

It clogs up my skin. I have fairly tolerant skin fortunately, but a lot of suntan lotion onto my face (the place which is guaranteed to be exposed to the sun) does tend to make it react with annoyance after a few days.

For my beach essentials with kids, check out my top picks for fun on the sand

Things I love about Ultrasun

It is impressively lightweight for something that’s got high protection, including filtering 91-99% of UVA.

I tried the Extreme 50+SPF and it absorbed more easily than some body lotions I own, for both me and Minnie. Instead of squirmy crossness, I actually got requests for ‘more sun lotion’ and she rather helpfully tried to do my legs as well.

The whole range comes in a once-a-day formula so I could put it on before breakfast and not worry about it again – Ultrasun promises ‘Products don’t rub off with sweat, towel drying, swimming or showering’.

In my unscientific test, Minnie stayed her usual creamy white and while I burn at the drop of a hat, I didn’t get a single pink stripe.

I did get a bit of a glow after sunbathing but was quite happy with that result (I know, I know, it’s still sun damage but we’re not talking leather handbag here and it makes me look a bit more alive in midwinter).

You can buy it on the high street – it’s stocked in Marks & Spencer so there’s no complication about hunting it down or paying extra for p&p. You can also find some products on Amazon among other stockists.

It’s actually skincare in disguise. Oh, I’ve seen endless sun protection products which seem to have plenty of built-in bonuses, but never ones which actually deliver – this time I ditched some of my normal daily products as my skin was so happy with the moisturising and protecting ingredients.

The Face 30SPF Tinted is sheer genius: dark enough to make even my very pale (and presumably extremely interesting) skin look tanned but not grubby on day one.

Meanwhile, the Face 50+SPF Anti-pigmentation will actually brighten existing pigmentation in two weeks while protecting against future sun-induced ageing and dark spots so I may keep using that at home!

It’s gentle. Not just to my face, but the SPF 50 version is ideal for sensitive skin, with no perfume, emulsifiers or preservatives so it’s fantastic for babies and young children (or anyone with sensitive skin). If you’re prone to prickly heat, this can help too.

There’s lots of choice. I tried the three products mentioned above but there’s also a sports range, a Glimmer 20SPF version, Family options. Lots.

My Ultrasun review: the downside?

Well, there’s always a catch. The price. But then you get what you pay for. Although it’s not a cheap range – the Extreme 50+ SPF costs from £32 for 150ml, the tinted version costs £28 for 50ml, the anti-pigmentation costs £32 for 50ml – the skincare quality and the fact it lasts as you’re using it once a day puts that in perspective.

Check out the complete range here

And the Swiss boffins who created it have also managed to provide a shelf life of two years, compared to an average of six to 12 months, so you can hang on to it safely.

UPDATE: So is Ultrasun good? 10 years after first writing this review, I’m still buying the products – check out my new Ultrasun review of the latest addition to the range – and I haven’t changed my mind. Easy to use, great for your skin, loads of clever formulations, and as good for kids as adults.

Where can you find buy Ultrasun?

Available at Marks & Spencer, John Lewis, Amazon, Waitrose, QVC and direct from Ultrasun’s website.

Disclosure: I was sent the products for the purposes of review. All opinions in this Ultrasun review remain my own, including the one about looking better with a bit of a tan. Contains affiliate links, any purchases you make are unaffected but I may receive a few pennies.

Product images courtesy Ultrasun, all other images copyright MummyTravels

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