Protect Your Large Purple Prune (Garnier Ambre Solaire UV Kids SPF 25)

Member Name: BestMum

Product:	Garnier Ambre Solaire UV Kids SPF 25
Date:	06/06/02 (197 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Easy to apply, Non greasy, Smells yummy

Disadvantages: A little expensive, depending on what price you put on your childs welfare!, Wont last very long if youre a paraniod parent like me and reapply every 20 mins

I am in love. I am in love with the rather large purple prune that I gave birth to 17 months ago. So much so that even if it means us eating beans on toast for the rest of the month, she will always have the very best of everything. Well, up to a point anyway. Of course shes no purple prune now - she is the most beautiful creature on earth, with her little button nose, chubby thighs (dont know where she gets those from) and baby soft skin.

This is her first summer really, we didnt see very much of it last year as we were too busy being buried to the eyeballs in dirty nappies and vomit. When I heard the weather forecast a few weeks ago I was shocked to hear that we were due a couple of fine and warm days, and what a bad parent I was; I didnt have any sun cream on standby for her. So off to the shops I trotted. Gosh how expensive all the brand names were. And so many choices. I spotted some cheaper alternatives but to be honest, I couldnt help but wonder just how much protection they would offer my little one. Surely the best one was the most expensive one?

Ambre Solaire, from Laboratoires Garnier is a brand name synonymous with good quality sun protection products. I didnt think even I could go wrong with Ambre Solaire. I came across their Kids Moisturising Sunblock Milk, which was factor 25 and noticed to my delight, that it was on offer. Yipee; buy one get one free. I felt truly blessed, the God of Bargains was looking down on me once more. At £8.99 for 200ml, I thought the price a little steep, but being on offer made all the difference of course.

****PACKAGING****

This is very important dont you know. It comes in a lovely white bottle with a pale blue lid (as do all their sunblocks), unlike their main range which are packaged in yellow bottles (or orange, depending on which side of the bed you got out of). The instructions and ingredients are easy to read and understand.

****MAIN BENEFITS****
r>AS Moisturising Sunblock Milk, Factor 25 is suitable for sensitive skin.

Provides protection against:

UVB:
the main cause of sun burn
UVA:
the main cause of premature skin ageing, sun allergies and long term skin damage

Their new patented filtration system (Mexoryl XL) filters an even wider range of UVA/UVB rays ensuring kiddies are extremely well protected - it carries a four star rating.

It includes:

Anti UVB:
25 times your skins natural protection against sun burn

Hypoallergenic:
Tested to minimise the risk of allergic reactions

Active Moisturiser:
Maintains the skins natural moisture and elasticity, wont dry out the skin

High Resistance to Water and Sand:
Will maintain its protection in the water and whilst playing in the sand

You will be very interested to know that the bottle states the product also meets European, Australian and Japanese standards!

****GENERAL INFORMATION****

Young babies under six months of age should never be exposed to direct sunlight; their skin is too young and as yet to develop fully. Cover them up. Dont forget to reapply frequently. The standard advice is every two hours, but check that there are no reddening areas of the skin in between times.

****MY THOUGHTS/EXPERIENCE****

I find this really easy to use as it's a milk rather than a liquid. It rubs in nice and easy but also stays 'white' for a long period so you can see the bits you've missed. And I find that its not too greasy either; after five minutes it has dried fairly well (unless you're using half the bottle of course).

The smell is wonderful. Somewhere between raspberries and strawberry milkshake, yum. No wonder I'm go through so much of it!

If you are like me and are a completely paranoid and overprotective parent, this will not last long. I used half the bottle in the first appl
ication making sure that Rachel was covered in the stuff from head to foot. The second application half an hour later (Paranoid? Who said that?) used up the second half!!

The retail price is quite high, especially as we tend to reapply very frequently for reasons I have mentioned above; its worth checking out different shops (including online) and seeking out the offers. Its also worth having a look in the discount shops like B&M - you may find the price as little as £3.99.

****CARE IN THE SUN****

You should try to limit your exposure (and that of your children) to the suns ultra violet rays, particularly in the first week of your holiday. At other times, give your skin a rest by covering up exposed areas. Avoid the sun at its hottest (12pm to 3pm).

Do not let yourself burn! You may, in the last couple of days of your holiday, be tempted to go out in the sun with only chip fat for protection; dont do it. Sun burn contributes to skin cancer, its not worth it.

You should use a protection factor that is suitable for the strength of sun that you are going to be exposed to; and remember childrens skin is particularly delicate and prone to burning.

Dont forget to moisturise your skin afterwards. It not only revitalises after the drying effects of the sun, but if you can get your partner to do it for you then it makes for a more interesting experience!

****AND FINALLY...****

So, to conclude; easy to use, yummy scent, average retail price for a branded product at £8.99 for 200ml but if you see them on offer then stock up or you will end up spending a fortune. I have already got my 20 bottles packed for our holiday in September; they have extra insurance and a suitcase all to themselves, dont you know!