Sunscreen FAQ

Please click on a question to reveal its answer!

• How should I apply the mousse?

  Make sure all exposed skin is covered generously – and allow it to dry - before your child goes into the sun. Apply to clean, dry skin.

• How much mousse should I apply to my child?

  This depends on the age and size of the child, but as a sensible guide, be generous - most skin and sun care experts agree that we don’t apply enough sunscreen to ensure we’re properly protected. 

  We estimate 3 golf-ball sized amounts of mousse in your palm should cover all exposed skin of an average two or three year old. However, it’s important to use your common sense and make sure all exposed skin is well covered with rubbed-in product.

  There are around 75 golf-ball sized ‘doses’ in each can of Sudocrem Sunscreen Mousse. 

• How long will one can of mousse last?

  Again, this depends on a number of factors such as the age of your child and the strength of the sun. Each can contains around 75 golf-ball sized ‘doses’.

• How often should I re-apply the mousse?

  Re-apply 2-3 times a day, depending in the strength of the sun and your child’s skin, and always after swimming or towelling. Be generous and over-apply rather than the other way round as most experts agree we don’t use enough sunscreen to ensure maximum protection.

• What kinds of sun filters are used in the mousse and are they safe for my child?

  A mix of physical and chemical sunscreens are used to provide highly effective protection for your child’s skin.

• Where can I buy Sudocrem Sunscreen Mousse?

  It’s available in all Boots stores and in many local independent pharmacies as well as a number of online pharmacies. 

• Can I take the mousse in my hand luggage when I’m getting on a plane?

  No. Because it’s a 150ml sized can, you must pack it in your checked-in luggage.

• What does ‘Very Water Resistant’ mean?

  It’s an indication of how well the sun protection factor (in this case, SPF 50) is maintained while your child is playing in water. Our mousse has the highest rating of water resistance.

• Can I buy the mousse in a different sun protection factor (SPF)?

  We may introduce different SPFs in the future but, for our launch into this market, we listened to Sudocrem customers who told us that factor 50 was their preferred SPF.

• If the mousse is water resistant, why must it be re-applied after swimming?

  No sun protection product is waterproof. Even though the mousse has a ‘Very Water Resistant’ rating – the highest rating available for a sun protection product.

• Can I use this mousse if my child has eczema?

  Although our mousse is hypoallergenic and tested by dermatologists, you should check through the list of ingredients in case your child is sensitive to one of them. We recommend that you test the mousse on a small area at least 24 hours before applying it to the whole body.

• What happens if the mousse gets into my child’s eyes?

  Rinse eyes thoroughly with fresh, clean water. If you have any concerns after doing this, seek professional healthcare advice from your GP or call NHS Direct.

• What happens if my child swallows some of the mousse?

  If your child swallows some of the mousse, we suggest rinsing the mouth out with clean, fresh water. Older children should be able to ‘swill’ fresh water and spit out any mousse, or ask them to drink a glass of water or milk. If you still have concerns after doing this, seek professional healthcare advice from your GP or call NHS Direct.

• What’s in the sun mousse?

  The full list of ingredients is here:

  Aqua, Benzophenone-3, Homosalate, Octocrylene, Butane, Butyl methoxydibenzoylmethane, Ethylhexyl salicylate, PVP/hexadecene copolymer, Isobutane, Palmitic acid, Styrene/acrylates copolymer, Triethanolamine, Stearic acid, Propylene glycol, Polysorbate 20, Bis-ethylhexyloxyphenol methoxyphenyl triazine, Propane, PVP, Glycerin, Dimethicone, PEG-8 laurate, Disodium EDTA.

• What is SPF?

  The Sun Protection Factor (or SPF) indicates how much UVB radiation is filtered out – these are the rays that cause burning. No sunscreen, no matter how high the factor, can provide 100\% protection, but an SPF 50 filters 98\% of UVB radiation.

• What is UVA?

  We measure UVA protection with the 'star' system and sunscreens can have between 0 to 5 stars. It’s important to look for a combination of a high SPF and a UVA rating of at least 4 stars if you want a high level of protection. Remember that, even with high protection products, if you don’t use enough they won’t work – so be generous.

  The NHS recommends that, when it comes to protecting children’s skin in the sun, you look for a broad-spectrum product with four or five star UVA protection.

• What does ‘broad spectrum’ mean?

  Broad spectrum means that the product filters both UVB and UVA rays.

• Does ‘Very Water Resistant’ mean waterproof?

  No. Although ‘Very Water Resistant’ is the highest level of water resistance you can get in a sun care product, this does not mean the product is waterproof. Always re-apply after swimming to keep your child protected.

• Can I use sunscreen on babies under 6 months old?

  No. Babies less than 6 months old should be kept out of direct sun. They are particularly vulnerable to sun damage and overheating because their skin has not yet developed adequate levels of melanin, the pigment that offers some protection against burning. 

• Do I need to use a sunscreen if it’s cloudy or my children are playing in the shade?

  Seeking shade is a great way to help to protect your child from the strongest rays – particularly between 11am and 3pm in the UK - but even on overcast days 30-40\% of UV will still penetrate through cloud cover. Most experts agree that it’s sensible to continue using your chosen sunscreen even in shade and on cloudy days.

• What about getting enough Vitamin D?

  There has been a lot of coverage in the media about how much Vitamin D – mainly obtained from sunlight – we’re getting in the UK. Some of the advice is confusing as there’s a balance between exposure to sunshine and the possibility of skin damage. The ‘Sun Smart’ website, run by Cancer Research UK, looks at the issue in more detail and covers the benefits and risks around Vitamin D and sun exposure.