4 Of The Best: High Factor Kids' Sun Cream

We are in the middle of a heatwave, break out the sun cream! We put 4 of the best high factor sun creams through their paces on holiday this month to let you know which we recommend to protect your kids' delicate skin this summer.

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Nivea Protect and Sensitive SPF 50+ roll on sun cream

UVA rating: 4*
UVB protection: Yes
8hr protection: No
Price per 100ml: £10.00

A new addition to the Nivea range is the new Protect and Sensitive range which comes in a kid friendly factor 50+ roll on for sensitive skin. This is an un-scented lotion which is easy to apply with the roll on function. My kids absolutely love using the roll on which is complete miracle and the lotion is quite thin so it rubs in really easily and isn't sticky.

On the downside it isn't a long exposure sun cream, so you do keep having to reapply it and with a size of just 50ml it is simply too small. I get it is small so kids can use it themselves but it runs out far too quickly. If it was double the volume I'd be much happier.

Rated best for: kids who hate applying sun cream!
Downside: Pack size too small

Soltan Kids SPF 50+ Once  3hr Swim & Protect range

UVA Rating: 5*
UVB protection: No mention on bottle
8hr protection: Yes
Price per 100ml: £5.00

We were sent both the Lotion and Spray variants of the Boots Soltan Kids Once 3hr Protect & Swim Suncare range (try saying that 5 times fast) to trial and I was very impressed by the ultra 5* UVA rating and the  claims that it could keep my kid's skin safe in the water for a 3hr period - plus it is extremely good value for a long lasting sun cream - honestly what more could you ask of a sun cream!

My feelings are mixed though because whilst the spray was super easy to use and rubbed in great the lotion was just awful - so thick that it was impossible to rub in and left the kids so sticky it was unreal. We also tested the 3hr water resistance for a day at the water park and I'd say beware because despite me reapplying it to the kids every 2-3hrs as directed my eldest still burnt. Not massively but if we'd stayed another hour she would have been in trouble. So keep reapplying it if they are in direct sunlight.

Best for: Great value for water play
Downside: Go for the spray as the lotion is too thick. No UVB protection.

Buy the full Soltan kids range from Boots

Eucerin SPF 50+ Sensitive Protect Sun Spray

UVA rating: 3*
UVB protection: Yes
8hr protection: No
Price per 100ml: £9.75

I loved the sound of this sun spray from Eucerin, after all they know a thing or two about protecting skin. But when I received the sample I was a little unnerved to see it only had a 3* UVA rating. This really made me think twice about using it on the kids when we were in full sunlight on the beach and actually ended up using it on Husband instead!

The lotion is super easy to apply from the spray bottle and it rubs in really well. Husband didn't burn and it was reassuring to know it had the UVB protection too.

Best rated for: Sensitive skin
Downside: Lower UVA rating against others on test

Ultrasun Sports SPF 50+ Transparent Spray

UVA rating: UVA absorbance 95% (equivalent to 5*)
UVB protection: Yes
8hr protection: Yes
Price per 100ml: £17.33

I discovered Ultrasun a couple of years ago and have been really impressed with their range. Let's address the main issue up front - it is expensive but you only apply it once and it is super water resistant so the bottle does last a while. Ultrasun make a family sun cream (factor 30) and a kids cream (factor 50) but on holiday I used the 50+ Sports spray because the spray format is very easy to use and greatly reduced the moan factor from the kids.

What I love about Ultrasun is that is doesn't stain the clothes! And although the spray contains alcohol (which has made me think perhaps I should go back to the kids version for the little ones next year) it doesn't contain perfume, aluminum of any other nasties. It is the only suncream I can use on my face which doesn't bring me out in spots.

Best for: Non-staining all day protection
Downside: Expensive

I was sent some of these products for review purposes. All opinions are my own.

Other Kid's Summer posts you may enjoy:

Summer outdoor activities for kids
How to keep your kids safe this summer
How to keep kids bedrooms dark in the summer