[Caroline and Dave]

Hi All
I had an appointment with my Doctor yesterday and we were discussing my move to NZ.
I am a Diabetic and Diabetics have to be more carefull of the sun as according to her direct sun can lower blood sugar and I was already aware that the sun is stronger in NZ.
She suggested that I find out peoples opinions on the best type of suncream to wear as you can't always believe manufacturers claims too much.
I am fair skinned and burn easily. I am also aware that you have to wear it all year round unlike the UK. It amazes me that the less polution adds to a greater risk of skin cancer


Dave and Caroline

[pieeater]

We use Cancer Society 2 hr Water resistant SPF 30+ Sunscreen.New Zealand has the highest incidence of malignant melanoma in the world so you need to take extreme care and avoid exposure as much as possible.Slip Slap Slop is the phrase most used in summer.Slip on your sunnies,slap on a hat,and slop on your sunblock.There is a hole in the ozone layer above n.z. reportedly caused by world pollution therefore the suns rays are stronger.Also watch out for dehydration also it creeps up on you.

[Moorf]

Yep, agree, 30+ is the way to go on a daily basis. I don't usually burn but the sun here is vicious and can have me red in mins in summer. Tips of ears is a common place to miss with the suncream - if your ears are exposed slap it on :nice1

We also use the Cancer Society suncream range - it's in most supermarkets.

Interestingly, there was something on the news here tonight about NZ's ozone hole "healing" ... did anyone catch it?

[Lupin]

Is decent suncream very expensive in NZ?

[Smiler]

Me too with the 30+ and I'm not fair skinned at all.

I always used to just tan and never burn, but having burnt here last year, I always slap it on now and have even done so this winter. I always carry a tube in my bag.

You can get burned really quickly. OH who is very fair and a (now older) redhead also uses it, after a scare with what the doc thought was a basel cell carcinoma.

Oh and we keep sunhats in the car too for the beach walks.

[Avalon]

I use Sunsense products - they are formulated in Autralia and so are designbed to cope with the stronger sun.

They were recommended by a very good naturopatic / conventional doctor in the UK, and we sold them to his clients. I was so impressed when I used it on my first trip to NZ (cos I cook like a chicken in the sun), that ive used it ever since. Its not the cheapest - but here in NZ the prices are much better than trying to buy it in the UK (if you could find it).

I usually use the factor 30 for general use, I have a waterproof version for beach or pool says, and they do a tinted facial sunscreen as well (not too keen on that as it doesnt feel great on the skin - but better than ending up looking like a beetroot :D )