The Red Arrows at Eastbourne Airbourne and a Cautionary Tale

On Sunday, we headed over to Eastbourne to see the annual (and, amazingly, totally free) Airbourne air show. The main attraction was the Red Arrows, which I remember watching when I was a child - they're still just as impressive as a grown-up. 

 Their aerial acrobatics are spectacular but it's their precision flying that impresses me the most. They manage to do all of this in perfect lines or, as here, a formation that represents specific aircraft, such as Concorde.

Add some red, white and blue smoke into the mix and it all looks even more amazing.

 The pilots seemed to be having fun, playing cat and mouse in the sky through the smoke trails !

 Who needs fireworks? This is just as good as a starburst explosion !

 It's hard to capture in a static shot but they fly incredibly close to each other, which leads to a few heart-stopping moments as they look like they're on a collision course !

Unfortunately, it was hard to perfectly time the photos - this was the infinity sign in red but if I'd waited for it to be complete, the other planes would have been long gone.

Their parting shot was drawing a big heart in the sky, which just about summed up the reaction of the crowd !

 We stood on the seafront watching them for hours. It was a warmish sunny day - we were in light jumpers - and, as we'd just got back from a fortnight in Turkey, I (stupidly) thought that we wouldn't need sun cream but we all ended up with sunburnt noses. Judging by the bright red faces and shoulders around us, if we hadn't been in Turkey and already reasonably tanned, it would have been a lot worse, so it's definitely too early to ditch the sun cream, even if the school holidays will soon be drawing to an end.

 We'd used up all our stock of sun cream over the holidays, so we were very pleased to receive some Nivea Sun Kids products to review - a Very High 50+ Moisturising Sun Spray and a High 30+ Caring Roll On. (Both formats are available in both strengths.) I've been making sure I put them in my bag every time we go out now, as you never know when the sun will put in an appearance, even when they day gets off to a cloudy start. The trigger spray bottle is our favourite because it's so quick and simple to apply, but the roll-on is a convenient handbag size and great for small areas like your face or arms, rather than the whole body. The roll on format is also easier and less messy for younger children to use. Whichever you choose, both have a fast-absorbing, non-sticky formula, working immediately and ensuring reliable, highly effective UVA and UVB protection, as well as extra water-resistance for fun in the water.

Disclosure : We received some Nivea Sun products.

Savvy summer buys to start the holidays with a smile ! (review roundup)

We're halfway through July which means that pretty much everyone is counting down the days to the summer holidays. (My apologies, and condolences, to anyone who isn't !) Now is definitely the time to stock up on all of those lifesaver products that will help you to see in the summer with a smile.

The first thing on my stress-free summer shopping list is a no-brainer : sun cream. Last weekend, we went for an afternoon at the beach and, while we found a spot to sit and play in the shade, there were so many people in full sun, many of whom were bright red so they'd obviously forgotten the sun cream. I was sickened to see one little baby, who couldn't have been much more than a year old, plonked in the sand in full sun with her back and shoulders red and peeling. How can parents not know about the dangers these days? I'm not perfect, I sometimes get caught out on a cloudy day when it doesn't even feel that hot, but if you're going to the beach on a sunny day, it goes without saying that you'll need sun cream!

Luckily, Garnier Ambre Solaire sent us through a bundle of their sun protection to keep us all safe in the sun, including their top suncare products for children and babies. Ambre Solaire Kids Anti-Sand Spray combines the very high protection (SPF50+) that you'd expect from a top brand with a  non-sticky, moisturising and water resistant formula that is also sand resistant. We tried this on holiday last year and it's brilliant at the beach. Ambre Solaire Kids Very High Protection Spray is my go-to sun cream for the whole family, and it hasn't let us down yet. Baby In The Shade (if I'd had it in my bag, I'd have been so tempted to give it to the family at the beach !) is ultra soft and suitable for babies, while the Trigger Happy Resisto Swim Spray for Speedy Application is perfect for grabbing the kids when they have towelled themselves off after swimming in the sea or pool and don't want to hang around having their sun cream reapplied. Whichever one you choose, don't forget to apply 20-30 minutes before sun exposure and top up just before going outside. (for more info: Garnier Ambre Solaire website )

If you're about to unleash your legs in a pair of shorts for the first time since last year and you need a close shave, the Dorco Classic razor, launched this summer, features a whopping seven precision-aligned blades, making it a world first. It features slimmer, denser, angulated blades to reduce any irritation to the skin, an open structure design to enable easy rinsing, helping to keep blades sharper for longer, a Honeycomb Guard Bar with a soft rubber surface to allow effortless gliding over the skin, adapting to the contours of your face or legs, and an advanced lubricating strip with antioxidants from Argan oil and Calendula extract that helps sooth sensitive and dry skin, as well as heal razor burns. It gives a great, comfortable shave and also looks incredibly stylish on your bathroom shelf. (You can order the Dorco Classic from Dorco’s UK online shop. Prices for Dorco Classic start from £8.74 and there’s even free shipping for orders over £10.)

With a combination of the kids' routine going out of the window and the later bedtimes that are often allowed during the holidays, I find that there is much more grumbling than usual when it's time for the kids to go and brush their teeth and get into pyjamas. Colgate have come to the rescue with their fantastic Minions range, to tie in with the Despicable Me 3 film release. The Colgate Minions Kids Interactive Battery Brush (RRP £11.99, available at Boots and Superdrug) makes brushing great fun because the voice of the Minions instructs you on how to be a better brusher while you brush and congratulates you after you have finished. I think Pierre will wear the enamel off his teeth soon, because he'd happily brush his teeth twenty times a day just to hear it. Never before have I heard myself saying "No, you can't go and brush your teeth" ! To accompany the brushes, there is also a Colgate Minions Mild Bubble Fruit Toothpaste (RRP £1) for kids age 2 and up. The kids love the flavour and the Minions on the tube, I love the flip-top cap which means they actually remember to close the tube after brushing !

The long summer holidays are the perfect time for recharging your batteries, but the first few weeks, when the benefits of those (fingers crossed) long lie-ins and lack of work-related stress haven't kicked in yet, it can be exhausting, running around after the kids and taking them out on endless adventures. A new report from Berocca reveals that tiredness and fatigue have become the number one health concern amongst Brits, with 42% of people admitting that they are missing out on new experiences and 52% claiming that they cancel or avoid social engagements, entirely due to feeling too tired. However, 62% (me included) want an energy solution that is not dependent on caffeine or sugar, so Berocca, the UK’s No.1 energy and vitamin, could be the perfect option. Berocca Energy Tablets are free from caffeine, sugar and artificial stimulants but they are packed full of eight B vitamins, including vitamins B1 and B2, which work with your body to release your natural energy and give you a lift. Simply drop one orange, mango or mixed berry effervescent tablet into water and wait for it to dissolve to make a great tasting and refreshing drink. Berocca is available in tablet packs of 15 for £4.85, 30 for £7.39 or 45 for £12.59.

When we were on holiday in Lanzarote last year, I thought it was hilarious to see holidaymakers arriving in the hotel restaurant clutching a bottle of Heinz ketchup or their favourite UK tea bags. If you like to have your home comforts with you when you are abroad, the English Tea Shop had you in mind when they created their No Brew Like Home box - "your perfect companion, bringing a little taste of home on your next adventure". The traveller packs contain 8 sachets of The English Tea Shop's premium, organic, handpicked teas in a handy travel size. In the pink pack, you get English Breakfast, Detox Tea and Calming Tea, while the blue pack includes Strong Breakfast, Green Tea Honey Mint and Chocolate Rooibos & Vanilla. (RRP £13.04).

Finally, summertime goes (hopefully, depending on the weather !) with al fresco dining, family barbecues and picnics and cocktails at sunset. If you want an alcohol-free drink that will appeal to both adults and children, Shloer is always a great option and they have released a fresh new look and healthier ‘no added sugar’ recipe just in time for summer.  As well as their well-known and loved classic range (Red Grape, White Grape and Rose), they have a new lighter range which offers all the taste with less guilt - the great flavours of White Grape and Red Grape, along with new Crisp Cranberry and Raspberry - as well as some summer-inspired blends (Tropical Mango & Passion Fruit, Orchard Apple & Grape and Wild Elderflower & Grape). For something even more special, pop the cork on the very grown up-looking White Bubbly or Pink Bubbly flavoured sparkling juice drinks this summer!

All that remains is for me to wish you a very happy summer, whatever you have planned !

Disclosure : We received the products in order to write an honest review.

LOLL, the wearable poncho towel for grownups (review)

Have you ever had one of those day-to-day annoying situations that could have been avoided or maybe a pet peeve that leaves you thinking, why doesn't someone make a product to get around that problem? One of mine is something that I'm sure any parent - and, in particular, any mum - will recognise if they've ever been on a family holiday to sunny climes - that moment, at the end of a day spent splashing in the pool and lazing on the sunloungers, when you have to collect up an assortment of arm bands, books, water bottles, towels, inflatable toys, hats and goodness knows what else and struggle back to your hotel room while trying to keep your towel knotted over your swimming costume to spare your blushes. One year, when I was struggling back with a particularly large inflatable ride-on crocodile that someone had gifted us because it wouldn't fit in their suitcase when they went home, I glanced over at a couple of mums, one with the ends of her towel in her teeth and another who had, rather ingeniously, brought a clothes peg with her (presumably) for exactly that purpose, and we all just burst out laughing ! Well, this year, I will be moving from lol to LOLL with the life-saving (OK, maybe not, but definitely dignity-saving !) adult poncho towel from LOLL.

I love the story of how it was born. Creator Lara (LOLL stands for Lots Of Love Lara) roadtested her first designs in Australia, where she lives, after seeing kids wearing beach ponchos, but the germ of the idea came from much closer to home - a towel with arm and head holes rustled up by her granny to use on Worthing beach back in the 80's for getting changed discreetly. Not too far away along the coast in Hastings, I was still relying on my parents to make a mini changing tent with a couple of beach towels, which wasn't always easy on a windy day !

Lara has really thought about all the little things that could turn this from a good idea into a really useful product, starting with the size. She wanted a genuine one-size-fits-all (up to about size 22) that would suit every kind of body shape - tall or short, curvy or slim, male or female - without being too tight or looking like a tent and goodness knows how but she's managed it ! Proving that teenagers can effortlessly make anything, even a poncho towel, look cool is Sophie on the left, me on the right and below, even 12-year-old Juliette wanted to try it on. I said it would be way too big for her but amazingly, she can wear it too !

Other factors that have been taken into consideration are making them longer at the back to protect the backs of your legs from hot car seats, using a lightweight but absorbent Turkish towel material so they don't take up too much space in the suitcase, adding ultra-practical secret pockets on the inside for keeping keys, mobile phones, money or jewellery safe and zips down the sides so that you can open them right up and lay them flat as a towel. They are perfect for giving you a bit of privacy when you are getting changed (not just at the beach and holiday pool but also if you or your kids hate the communal changing rooms after swimming at the local pool) and eradicate the problem of how to go to the toilet in a one piece swimming costume that is soaking wet and sticking to your body ! Even around the house, they overcome the problem of night-time trips to the toilet if you wear a onesie and they are also great for throwing on straight from the shower when the the postman has just rung the doorbell !

They are available in various colours and designs but these are all limited edition and are frequently changed so if you see one you like, grab it while you can. LOLLs retail at US$40 plus postage, which is about $5 per shipment. They are shipped from Australia but mine didn't take longer than a week to arrive.

Lara is currently working on a new project and has launched a Kickstarter campaign for a new Shark version for adults - why should the kids have all the fun ? These look great but there are only 10 days left to make it happen. (I've just checked and $50AU dollars is currently equal to about £30.)

website - https://LOLL.com.au

Instagram - @LOLLbeach

Facebook - LOLLbeach

Disclosure : I received the product in order to write an honest review.

Summer Survival Kit, courtesy of Ambre Solaire

Hooray, hooray, it's the holi-holidays, sing a summer song as you skip along, holi-holidays ! School is finally out for the summer and we've already been having lots of outdoor adventures, including laying on grassy banks in clover meadows ...

...  paddling in the sea and even going for a proper dunk with swimming costumes on ...

... going out geocaching to discover some unknown corners of our local area ...

... and getting to grips with the big boy bike that Pierre got for his birthday.

We've discovered several new parks, drunk numerous slushies and eaten innumerable ice lollies. 

The kids have clambered over, swung on, slid down and climbed up anything that didn't move !

But some days, it got just a bit too hot to be comfortable. I didn't think about taking a picture of our weather station at the hottest part of the day but Juliette said she saw 36.6° at one point - eeek ! I've been making sure the kids keep their liquid intake up, which means plying them with water but also ice poles, ice lollies, smoothies, watermelon and mocktails. They're not allowed out if they haven't got a hat on their heads and I'm delighted to see that they have had it ingrained in them so much that they put sun cream on all by themselves without me even asking before heading out of the door. 

Garnier sent us through a very welcome summer survival kit, including water pistols, a funky beach bag and some of their new Ambre Solaire Easy Peasy Kids range. They have two fabulous new products that are ideal for packing in your holiday suitcase for use at the pool and beach, Wet Skin Lotion and Anti-sand Spray. Even as a grown up, I hate the feel of gritty sand sticking to my suncream as I rub it into my body or, even worse, face and all three of the Madhouse kids complain about it feeling horrible when I top up their sun protection at the beach, so the concept of a sand-repelling, quick drying, non sticky and non greasy protective mist is an absolute godsend for parents planning a beach holiday or day trips to the coast. The Wet Skin Lotion removes another holiday headache - usually I have to grumble at the Madhouse kids to get them to come out of the pool to reapply sun cream, then fiddle around with towels, drying them off so that it doesn't dilute the product or make it run off their skin, then bribe them to wait around for the recommended fifteen minutes for it to absorb fully before allowing them to jump back in the pool, by which time they are usually sulking or having a full-on strop ! The Wet Skin Lotion has been adapted to give even coverage when applied on wet or dry skin. These are definitely both going in our suitcase when we head off to Lanzarote this summer !

for more information : http://www.garnier.co.uk/sun-protection

Disclosure : We received the products in order to write an honest review.

JASON & Earth's Best Sun Care review

I still can't quite believe that in just one week, we'll be heading off for a fortnight in Turkey ! It was therefore perfect timing for us to receive this bundle of suncare products from JASON and its kids range, Earth's Best, to review. I must admit, I'd never heard of the JASON brand so I went online to investigate.

It's actually JĀSÖN (although I have no idea why !) and they have been around since 1959. Their "about us" page explains : "The JĀSÖN® brand is devoted to using only ingredients from the rich source of goodness that is earth’s garden and its natural resources. There are no artificial colours or animal by-products, the packaging is bio-degradable and packaged in recycled and/or recyclable containers. All products are certified Vegetarian too. Best of all they smell delightful!" Sounds great on paper, time to discover the products !

First up was the JASON Sun Family Sunscreen. With SPF 45 and broad spectrum UVA/UVB protection, it should provide great protection for the whole family in Turkey. The packaging promises a  non-greasy, tear-free, water-resistant formula - I found it a bit greasy and sticky but it is sun cream after all ! You should wait for 20 minutes after applying it before going out into the sun (as with all sun creams). It is also enriched with Vitamin E, Shea Butter and antioxidant Green tea extract to nourish the skin while it provides protection. (£11.99 for 113g)

Next was Earth's Best Mineral Sunscreen SPF30, specially designed for babies' and children's delicate skin. It is a light, non-greasy, fragrance free cream that protects vulnerable skin with an effective, mineral-based sunscreen that acts as a natural UVA/UVB reflective barrier. As an added bonus, it also stays water resistant for up to 40 minutes. (£9.99 for 113g)

The final product in our trio of sunburn-busters was the JASON Soothing 98% Aloe Vera, which can be used to calm and soothe dry, irritated, sun damaged or newly shaven skin.  With use, skin is calmed, balanced and nurtured back to its healthy-looking best. Made with natural ingredients, it is free from Parabens, SLS and Phthalates. (£5.99 for 240ml)

I was impressed with the skin test I tried, and they're now ready to go in the suitcase next week !

for more information : www.jasonnaturalcare.co.uk

Disclosure : I received the products in order to write an honest review.

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Nivea Sun Protect & Refresh review

I love it when little surprises arrive through the post and this gorgeous personalised bag put a huge smile on my face when the postie delivered it. I love the bright red colour and the polka dots and the fact that it has my name on it means that Sophie won't be able to pinch it - hahaha !

Things just got even better when I opened it up though. It contains a fab selection of the new Nivea Sun Protect & Refresh range. It suddenly dawned on me when I turned over the calendar to May last week that the summer is almost here - two more months and the school year will be over, three months and we'll be heading off to Kusadasi in Turkey. Woohoo !

The new Nivea range sounds ideal for our trip to Turkey because it combines instant protection with an innovative refreshing, cooling effect on the skin - perfect for topping up the sun protection when out and about or lazing by the pool.

We received (from left to right)  : 

Protect & Refresh 30 Sun Lotion - Nivea promise a new generation of sun care with a non-sticky, ultra-moisturising consistency and added menthol for a cooling sensation on the skin. A well-balanced combination of silky powder and soothing oils nourishes the skin while protecting it. It's water-resistant and offers UVA and UVB protection. A 200ml bottle contains enough for six adult full-body applications when used correctly.

Protect & Refresh 20 Invisible Cooling Mist - A light refreshing mist that offers protection while cooling the skin with its fine droplets. It has a 360° valve so it can give a constant spray from all angles, even upside down.

Protect & Refresh 30 Invisible Cooling Sun Spray - Relaunched with an improved formula that offers a cooling effect and is instantly absorbed by the skin for immediate protection and no oiliness, stickiness or white residue.

Protect & Refresh 20 Invisible Cooling Sun Spray 

Protect & Refresh 50 Invisible Cooling Mist 

In-Shower Refreshing After Sun Lotion - This sounds great because I usually dislike the sticky, greasy feel of regular after-sun lotion. You apply it in the shower on wet skin after your shower gel, smooth it in then rinse off for instantly nourished, soothed skin with no residue.

I've spotted that pretty much the whole range is on half-price offer at Boots at the moment so now's a great time for stocking up on your summer essentials.

Disclosure : I received the products in order to write an honest review.

Other reviews you may be interested in :

It's not too early to break out the sun cream !

Don't forget the sun cream - yes, even you, mums & dads !

Sunuva UV-Protective Swimwear Review

It's not too early to break out the sun cream !

As I may have mentioned numerous times (!), we've been geocaching almost every day this week, in parks, in the countryside and also in the dunes. Yesterday, when we went stomping across the dunes looking for caches, the sky was cloudy, it wasn't particularly warm and we were a bit concerned it was going to rain. But nevertheless we came back with very slight sunburn.

The thought never even crossed my mind to pack sunscreen when we went out, so this was actually a really good wake-up call. The weather may not be blazing hot with cloudless blue skies just yet, but you still need to protect your skin, and even more so that of your children.

Luckily, Eucerin have sent us through two of their products to try out, an Extra Light Body Sun Lotion (SPF50) and a Kids Sun Spray (50+)  (200ml RRP £19.50). I just mentioned children being particularly vulnerable to sun damage and the enclosed press release explained that children’s skin is only one-fifth as thick as adult skin, which means its barrier function is less effective. Eucerin Sun Kids Spray has the strength to help to protect children’s skin from sunburn and reduce the risk of long-term UV skin damage. As you would expect from a skin-friendly Eucerin product, it is free from perfume, colourants and parabens and it is clinically proven to be suitable even on atopic skin. The spray format means that it is ideal for applying quickly to wriggly children who don't particularly want to be slathered in sun cream too !

Eucerin's sun care range for grown-ups is individualised, depending on your skin type. The new range includes:

Face

Best for all skin types:

Eucerin Sun Creme Tinted SPF 50+ (50ml) £16.00 RRP - an advanced facial sunscreen with light mineral tinted pigments that provides sun protection plus an even, natural tanned-looking skin tone.

Best for combination to oily skin:

Eucerin SUN Face Care Sun Fluid SPF 50+ (50ml) £16.00 RRP/ SPF 30 (50ml) £15.00 RRP: the face fluid is formulated for normal to combination skin. The ultra-light, non-greasy texture mattifies the skin with no oily shine, making it efficient even in warm, humid climates.

Best for normal to dry skin:

Eucerin SUN Face Creme SPF 50+ (50ml) £16.00 RRP / SPF 30 (50ml) £15.00 RRP: the face creme is an advanced sunscreen which helps protect the face against sun-induced skin ageing and is especially suited for dry skin. Clinical studies have proven its efficacy and skin compatibility.

All of the face products include an innovative formulation to protect both the upper and lower layers of the skin against UV damage, with a highly effective, photostable UVA/UVB filter system with Tinosorb S to provide reliable protection against sunburn; Glycyrrhetinic Acid which can be shown to support the skin´s own DNA protection mechanisms;  Cellular protection with licorice extract - a powerful antioxidant that protects against damage caused by free radicals.

Body

Best for combination to oily skin:

Eucerin SUN Body Care Transparent Spray SPF 50 (200ml) £17.50 RRP: the spray-on formula is 100% transparent, non-sticky, non greasy and quickly absorbed, formulated for normal to combination skin. Plus being free from any preservatives it is suitable for individuals with sensitive skin and blemish prone skin. The spray does not leave visible residue on the skin and is water resistant so it is suitable for sports and outdoor activities.

Best for normal to dry skin:

Eucerin SUN Extra Light Body Lotion SPF 50 (150ml) £18.50 RRP/ SPF 30 (150ml): the extra-light lotion is easy to apply and immediately absorbed into the skin to provide a high-level of sun protection. Clinical studies have proven the efficacy and skin compatibility of the creme for sensitive skin and even in people with Atopic Dermatitis.

Eucerin SUN Sun Allergy Protection Creme-Gel SPF 50 (150ml) £19.00 RRP: this Creme Gel offers a high level of sun protection as well as effective protection from sun sensitivity. The non-greasy water resistant formulation is free from emulsifiers, perfumes and preservatives, making it clinically proven to be suitable for highly sensitive or photosensitive skin. 

That all sounds slightly confusing if you want to buy one sun care product for the whole family, but the important thing is, whichever one you choose, make sure you start protecting your skin now, especially if you're heading to the beach (or dunes) where the sun reflects off the sand and is more likely to burn your skin.

Disclosure : Eucerin sent us through the products.

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Dead Sea Spa Magik Sunsafe SPF50 Sun Cream review

Heading off as a family of five for two weeks in Morocco, we packed six bottles of sun cream and still used it all up. One of the products that I tried for the first time this year was Dead Sea Spa Magik Sunsafe SPF50 sun cream. Each member of the Madhouse Family always ends up picking a different bottle as their favourite and this one was mine.

I loved the texture - it feels silky smooth like a moisturiser, not sticky like some sun creams, and it is absorbed quickly and easily into the skin. You do need to wait for a while before jumping into the pool though, because I could see it turning into a milky liquid that came off my skin easily if I got in too soon. Once it's fully absorbed, it's supposed to be waterproof for eight hours though. Despite the blazing heat and intense sun, it protected my skin perfectly, even when I was in the pool (which I can tell because I got the inevitable small patches of sunburn on the bits of skin that I missed !)

As well as offering concentrated UVA and UVB protection to prevent sunburn, the cream promises to have anti ageing properties and to promote a visibly radiant and youthful complexion (possibly because of the slightly yellowy/golden colour of the cream). It also hydrates your skin so I didn't even feel the need to use an after-sun product, as I usually would. It is packed with skin-friendly Dead Sea minerals so it looks after your skin in more ways than one.

I'll definitely be looking out for this one to pack in my suitcase again next year.

star rating : 5/5

RRP : £18 for 150ml

Disclosure : I received the product in order to write an honest review.

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Don't forget the sun cream - yes, even you, mums & dads

Green People & Organic Children Sun Lotion

Badger Sunscreen SPF15

Don't forget the sun cream - yes, even you, mums & dads !

As I type this blogpost, the suitcases are packed and piled up in front of me and we're all ready for Morocco. Needless to say, we have about eight bottles of high factor suncream with us (it sounds a lot but over two weeks for a family of five, we get through a lot !) but I was shocked to see how few people were putting suncream on their kids when we were at the park last week, despite temperatures climbing up into the high thirties. (We had 38° at one point - that's 100 degrees Fahrenheit - it's hardly worth going on holiday !)

Cancer Research and Nivea Sun (who kindly sent me through a bottle of sun cream to take with us) have done some research that has found that lots of parents across the UK are really careful with their children’s skin in strong sunshine but concentrate so much on the kids that they forget themselves and have been sunburned. I couldn't help but nod guiltily when reading this so I thought I'd share their findings with you.

*******************************************

PARENTS RISK SKIN CANCER BY NOT PRACTISING

WHAT THEY PREACH

- Survey reveals parents forget to protect themselves from strong sun -

40 per cent of UK parents (which equates to around 4.5 million) of children aged 16 or under admit they often forget to protect their skin in strong sun because they are concentrating on protecting their children instead, a new survey by Cancer Research UK and NIVEA SUN reveals today.

While over four fifths (85 per cent) of parents surveyed are aware that too much exposure to UV radiation from the sun can increase their risk of skin cancer, less than half (47 per cent) normally take as much care to protect their own skin as they do to protect their children’s. Millions of parents are frequently forgetting to look after their own skin in strong sunshine, leaving them in danger of sunburn, which can increase the risk of skin cancer.

With Britain currently enjoying a spate of hot weather, and school holidays just starting, Cancer Research UK and NIVEA SUN are encouraging parents across the UK to enjoy the sun safely, whether at home or abroad. The research aims to emphasise the importance of parents keeping themselves safe as well as their children and family.

When asked about protecting their children’s skin in strong sun in the UK, 62 per cent said they always ensure that their child is wearing at least factor 15 sunscreen compared with only 27 per cent who always apply it to their own skin.

Similarly, more than half (52 per cent) make sure their children are always covered up with clothing, a hat or sunglasses in the UK when the sun is strong while only one fifth (19 per cent) of parents do the same; and while over two fifths (43 per cent) ensure their children spend time in the shade, less than a quarter (22 per cent) spend time in the shade themselves. What’s more, only 50 per cent of parents surveyed who have been abroad always apply at least factor 15 when on holiday abroad and in strong sun, compared to over two thirds (68 per cent) of those who have been abroad with their children who always ensure they do the same for their children.

Yinka Ebo, senior health information officer at Cancer Research UK, said: “Understandably, when we do get the chance to enjoy some sunshine, here in the UK or abroad, we’re keen to make the most of it! But it’s really important to enjoy the sun safely and take care not to burn.

“We want to help parents set the right example for their children so they grow up with a healthy attitude towards the sun. When the sun is strong, it’s important that all family members use a combination of shade, clothing and at least factor 15 sunscreen to keep their skin protected from harmful UV rays. This will help prevent sunburn, which isn’t only painful and unpleasant – it also increases the risk of skin cancer.”

The partnership between Cancer Research UK and NIVEA SUN launched in July 2012 and aims to raise millions of pounds for Cancer Research UK’s vital skin cancer research over three years. As well as fundraising for the charity, NIVEA SUN will be working with Cancer Research UK to promote key sun safety messaging through an advertising campaign which will highlight simple tips that people can follow to enjoy the sun safely:

- Spend time in the shade if your shadow is shorter than you. If your shadow is shorter than you are, then the sun is strong. During the UK summer, the sun is at its strongest between 11am and 3pm

- Wear a hat, t-shirt and sunglasses when the sun’s strong. Wide brimmed hats or foreign legion style caps are best

- Cancer Research UK recommends you use at least factor 15 sunscreen with a high star rating. Sunscreen rubs off easily if you sweat, swim or change clothes. So whether you’re in the UK or abroad, when the sun is strong remember to apply generously and reapply regularly

Graham Taylor at NIVEA SUN said: “It’s great to see how much care parents are taking to look after their children’s skin in this hot weather but we want to remind them not to neglect themselves. We all need a bit of sun to keep us happy and healthy, but the important thing is for the whole family to enjoy it responsibly and safely.”

For more sun safety information from Cancer Research UK visit www.sunsmart.org.uk

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Don't forget to protect your skin even on a cloudy day !

Some timely advice from Boots popped into my inbox earlier in the week, reminding us that you can still get sunburn on a cloudy day. You may remember our day at the beach, which started off rainy and stayed cloudy all day - well, despite the jumpers, we still managed to come home with sunburnt faces, so it really can be easy to get caught out. We were on a school trip to Dover Castle and Canterbury at the start of the week and I'm really glad I remembered to pack a bottle of suncream in my bag because - again, despite the clouds - I could feel my skin start to tingle as we sat down to our picnic lunch. The good news is, you can stock up on half price suncare products at Boots at the moment - read on for their advice and news of their current deals.

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Ready, steady, get out there! 

Protect your skin with Boots UK as cloudy summer skies can be deceiving

The warmer weather is set to make another appearance this weekend and although there are set to be clouds in the sky it’s still important to protect your skin. Clare O’Connor, Boots Suncare Expert, advises, "Whilst it may not seem as hot on a day with some clouds in the sky, UV rays are getting through the clouds and you can still get sunburnt even though it feels cool! Levels of UV reaching the earth are at their highest at this time of year in the UK, particularly UVA rays which cause long term skin damage and ageing, so we should take care to protect our skin from the sun using a high SPF with 5* UVA rating even when it's a cloudy day."

So don't hang around, let's get out there and grab some fun in the sun, safe in the knowledge that Soltan's uncompromised 5* UVA protection has your skin covered. So whether you head to the coast, dust down the BBQ or uncover the sandpit in the back garden, you'll be set to make the most of the rays even if a few clouds turn up too. Even better, the Soltan range is now ½ price, making getting the whole family sun ready easy on your pocket as well as your skin!

For paddling and playing...

NEW Boots Soltan Once Kids 3 Hour Waterplay Spray SPF 30 or SPF 50, 200ml, £8.49 (was £16.99), provides up to three hours of water resistant protection and up to six hours sun protection. So if you’re all bundling in the car and setting off to the coast, or even just putting up the paddling pool in the back garden, you can have peace of mind that your little one is protected from the sun’s rays in the water for up to three hours, with a high SPF and Soltan’s 5* UVA protection.

For smiley (not sandy!) faces...

To help ensure that your little ones are safe playing in the sunshine, whilst you enjoy your first BBQ of the season, Boots UK has developed NEW Soltan Kids Sensitive Lotion SPF 30 or SPF 50+, 200ml, £5.99 (was £11.99), and NEW Soltan Kids Sensitive Spray SPF 30 or SPF 50+, 200ml, £6.49 (was £12.99). The ultra light, hypoallergenic formula reduces the risk of skin allergies and has been approved by dermatologists. And if you uncovered the sandpit as well as the BBQ, Soltan’s unique new sand-resistant technology means no sandy skin induced tantrums as the kids build their first sandcastle of the season!

And sun protection isn’t just for the kids; make sure you’re well protected from the sun’s rays too.

For glow getters...

Whether you’re at a friend’s BBQ, or escaping from it all on a daycation away from home, be confident that you’re protecting your skin whilst supporting its natural tanning with NEW Soltan Protect & Tan Spray, SPF 8, SPF 15 or SPF 30, 200ml, £6.99 (was £13.99) which provides the maximum 5*UVA protection rating, in a new handy spray format. The special ultra-light texture formula contains Tanositol SPE, an innovative ingredient naturally derived from the fruit of the carob tree, that helps stimulate the body’s natural tanning reaction. Whilst the patented antioxidant complex helps to protect against long term skin damage and ageing by limiting the production of free radicals caused by sun exposure.

Clare O’Connor, Boots Suncare Expert, explains, “We all want to get out there this summer and enjoy those fun summer experiences and it’s important the family is safe in the sun. Our exciting new products mean parents can rest assured their children have uncompromised protection with Soltan’s 5* UVA protection, and be safe themselves too.”

For avoiding little critters...

Don’t let bugs get in the way of eating al fresco, or a spontaneous afternoon stroll. Soltan Moisturising Suncare Lotion with Insect Repellent, SPF 8, SPF 15, SPF 30, 200ml, £4.99 (was £9.99) and SPF 30, SPF 50+, 400ml, £8.99 (was £17.99) is the only leading sun care brand to have a formula including insect repellent. This easily-absorbed lotion with gentle, odourless insect repellent provides continuous moisturisation for silky-soft skin, helping to reduce dryness and prevent peeling.*

Soltan products are formulated with a range of SPFs to help protect you from long term sun damage and burning whilst feeling your radiant best and in the mood for longer, sunnier days. Visit: Boots/soltan for further information.

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Show Them It's Cool To Be Sun Sensible !

In the middle of summer, I would never dream of setting foot outside the front door without smothering the kids, and myself, in sun cream. However, when we set off for an adventure earlier in the week, it was a grey day - in fact it was raining when we first thought about going out - so when we headed off for a day at the beach, it didn't even cross my mind to take a bottle of sun cream. (If you click through and look at the first photo, Juliette had a winer coat and scarf on when we set out !) More fool me. It may only be April but we all came home with sun-burned faces. Big #mummyfail moment !

It just goes to show, spring may have taken ages to arrive but now that it is here, you really do need to start thinking about sun protection. When Sun Sense sent me through some of their sun creams to review a couple of weeks ago, I laughed and replied that I probably wouldn't be able to test them any time soon - how wrong can you be?

I had actually already featured a review of Sun SenseToddler Milk (way back in 2010 - how time flies !) so I was keen to discover the other products in their range. This time, we received Sun Sense Ultra - "a light, smooth, easy-to-apply lotion for the whole family providing SPF 50+ protection with 4 hours’ water resistance" (and take note : "Encourage your children to use SunSense Ultra daily before school, even on cloudy days") - and Sun Sense Daily Face - "a facial SPF 50+ sunscreen ideal for all year round protection – use it every day on the face and neck" which helps protect against premature ageing from sun exposure.

Sun Sense have a wide range of products available, to suit all members of the family. Here are their suggestions :

"Perfect for children and babies, SunSense recommend:

SunSense Ultra, a light, smooth, easy-to-apply lotion for the whole family providing SPF 50+ protection with 4 hours’ water resistance.

SunSense Toddler is an easy to apply milk formulation especially designed for the delicate skin of infants and children. It provides a broad spectrum SPF 50 yet contains lower levels of substances, which may irritate your child’s sensitive skin.

Both products are available in a handy 50ml roll-on, ideal for school bags as well as a 125ml bottle.

SunSense also cater for adults and their beauty regimes:

Daily Face is an SPF 50+ sunscreen ideal for all year round protection – for every day use on the face and neck.

SunSense Anti-ageing Face contains alpha hydroxyl acid (AHA) to help reduce fine lines and wrinkles and combines the anti-ageing benefits of glycolic acid with SPF 50 broad-spectrum protection to leave skin feeling fresh and youthful."

SunSense have also recently launched a sun safety campaign to help educate nursery and primary school children and their parents on how to stay safe in the sun. Pupils can get involved individually or with their class and win cool prizes for their school by designing a T-shirt with a sun theme. Sounds easy enough and the prizes are fantastic.

Let our red-tinged faces be a cautionary tale - it's not too early to stock up on sun cream, even if the weather doesn't look great outside. As an added bonus, Madhouse Family Reviews readers can use code MUMMY13 to get 15% off the entire SunSense range here: http://www.crawfordhealthcare.com/product-category/sunsense. (You can even get 50% off the 500ml Ultra Pump with code ULTRA500.)

for more information : http://www.sunsense.co.uk

Disclosure : We received some SunSense products in prder to write an honest review.

Other reviews you may be interested in :

 Sun Sense Toddler Milk SPF50

Forward planning for the summer : Morocco here we come

Cambridge Baby Pickapooh Hats & More Toddler Sun Hat review