How much suncream do we need to take?

bigsmoke

Morning All

Feel a bit silly asking this, but it's an awfully long time since I went on a beach holiday - we're heading off for two weeks in greece next week and I'm wondering how much suncream we're likely to need with us?

There's two of us, both fairly normal sized adults - will probably be in and out the pool/sea a reasonable amount. If i take a full size bottle of 30 and one of 15, with a couple of separate little things of stuff for my face, and probably a couple of those miniature ones to pop in a handbag whilst out and about, is that likely to be enough?

I know we can buy over there if we run out, but with all the offers here and supermarket own brand I know it will be a lot cheaper than on a greek island. Want to maximise our fun from our spending money once we get there!

thanks very much for any help you can give

BS x

ponymad_3

I guess it all depends on how you like to slather it on... I can use a couple of bottles my self but i never take the massive ones - I never buy the tiny ones either unless I get an amazing price. I put some in those little travel bottles

Whatever you do DON T be buying in Greece - you did nt say which island but the mark up is ridiculous on some... the locals don t use, the state of their economy and the excuse it all has to be shipped in!

Have fun and don t burn!

Katiehound

It depends so much on your skin- if you are fair skinned then I would be taking more and even factor 50! Read recently that we don't put enough on, or don't put it on sufficiently over the day. Better to be safe than red!
Just looked at the weather site for Greece and the place I chose said 30 degrees! If the suntan stuff is reasonable- cheap here then you could always ditch what is left before you come home to lighten the load.
I always decant everything else into smaller bottles- not the suntan!
have a lovely trip!

bigsmoke

thanks very much both - sounds like we probably need to take two bottles each then, not between us! We both tan quite easily but i like to fair slather it on as otherwise my skin gets really dry.

and we're going to rhodes - from what i've read everything is pretty pricey on the island so, as you say ponymad, definitely don't want to be buying it there! boots and sainbury both have their own on half price at the moment so no excuse really not to take plenty.

and the more weight in my bags on the way there is suncream, the more can be dutyfree on the way back

thanks again

fawny

Hi,

We going to Pefkos in Rhodes on Wednesday & temp there is around 40c, it says 30c if you look at the weather pages, but all temps are taken at the airport there, & by the time you get round to Pefkos & Lindos it's a good 10c hotter. Anyway regarding suncream we are taking 4 bottles for 2 weeks so i each per week. Did that last year & we just had enough.

liney

May I recommend http://www.p20.co.uk/

You apply once in the morning and you're done for the day. I used to get prickly heat, but not since I started using this. I also used it in the Sahara Desert without burning. Brilliant stuff, and more economical I think.

bigsmoke

fawny - WOW, 40 degrees is seriously hot! we're actually on the other side of the island, at Ixia, so think there will be a bit of a breeze and will be cooler. will remember to bring a hat when we come over to lindos ;-)

liney - thanks for the recommendation. i tried P20 once and found that it left my skin very dry (i guess usually, when sunbathing, you're slathering moisturiser on all day with the suncream). i've seen that a few brands (including soltan) now do a 'once' lotion. don't think it lasts as long as P20, but maybe will be a good compromise...

thanks everyone!

ponymad_3

Rhodes is lovely... I would be amazed if its still 40c out in Pefkos it was nt when I was there in late Sept... The island is better value than Kefalonia (but not so pretty) and you will have a great time.

Do make time to see around the island, we hired a car cheaply and had lots of fun. I really liked our day in Rhodes town and wished we ahd been nearer. We found some lovely restaurants in the old town.

Enjoy

bigsmoke

thanks Ponymad! definitely hoping to hire a car or moped - i think we're about a 2km walk from rhodes town so hoping to do that a few evenings (if only to burn off some of the delicious greek food!).

i have travelled around the greek islands a bit but have never made it down to Rhodes/Kos/Crete so am looking forward to seeing how different the landscape is :-)

BS x