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Sun care
Ultrasun Sports Gel Sun Protection SPF 502020 Ultrasun Sports Gel Sun Care

Ultrasun Sports Gel Sun Protection SPF 50

8
by Lara Dunn
UPDATED Fri, Jul 17, 2020 15:47

First Published Jul 17, 2020

8
£28.00

VERDICT:

8
10
Easy-to-apply, effective and non-greasy sun protection gel that is spot-on for cycling
Easy to apply
Non-sticky & non-greasy
Sweatproof
Lasts well, offering long-duration protection
Larger bottle (good economy) makes it not easily portable for reapplication
Weight: 
215g
Contact: 
www.ultrasun.com
How we test

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Ultrasun Sports Gel Sun Protection is a non-greasy and easy-to-apply clear gel liquid with UVA and UVB SPF50 protection. This ultra-protective sunscreen formula is designed specifically with sportspeople in mind and is water resistant, long lasting and sweatproof. The liquid gel comes in a 200ml bottle, but there is a 150ml SPF50 spray option too, and other sizes in other SPFs are available too.

Summer riding can be punishing enough without adding sunburn into the mix. Up the ante by adding in high altitude or sunnier climes and it can be a very real and painful risk. Finding a sunscreen that delivers on protection and is also sweatproof, ethical, non-greasy and easy to apply can be challenging. Swiss company Ultrasun has been a specialist in sun protection products since 1992 and produces a dazzling array of different formulas designed for every type of end user. The Sports range is particularly useful for cyclists, with its easy application and high protection options.

> Find your nearest dealer here

The Sports range comes in variants from SPF20 to SPF50. The SPF50 Gel is only available as a 200ml bottle, whereas the SPF30 and SPF20 both come in a larger – and therefore better value and more environmentally friendly – 400ml bottle as well, and also a more compact 100ml option. The 200ml bottle is fine for home use, but not ideal for carrying on a ride for re-application, which is a shame.

Application is super easy, and the clear liquid gel is light and non-greasy and rubs in very easily. The waterproof and sweat-resistant properties are clear in how difficult it is to wash off the hands after application. Once it's on, this stuff isn't going anywhere!

The smell takes some getting used to (it's quite chemically) but it's not offensive. Out on the road, it doesn't attract dust and bugs, as some greasier sun creams do, and it certainly delivers on protection. While re-application is advised (there is a detailed table with suggested application times for various skin types/tones on the company's website), it gave good protection for a sunny ride of a few hours for my pale and pasty sun-averse skin without re-applying. For longer rides, or at altitude, I'd consider taking a small bottle of the lower SPF – and hope that Ultrasun brings out a smaller bottle of the SPF50.

> 5 ways to protect your skin from the sun while cycling

It's more expensive than the Pelotan product we tested, but in terms of the pedigree and reputation of the company, I'd say it makes for a reliable and trustworthy purchase.

The formula is vegetarian and vegan friendly, and does not contain any of the controversial ingredients that are harmful to coral reefs, which is good to know, and makes it a great option for sun, sea and cycling holidays.

Verdict

Easy-to-apply, effective and non-greasy sun protection gel that is spot-on for cycling

road.cc test report

Make and model: Ultrasun Sports Gel Sun Protection SPF 50

Size tested: 200ml

Tell us what the product is for and who it's aimed at. What do the manufacturers say about it? How does that compare to your own feelings about it?

High SPF sun protection for sportspeople.

Ultrasun says: "Fast-absorbing, non-greasy, non sticky, transparent UVA and UVB (SPF50) sun protection gel with GSP for Infrared protection – ideal for active sports people, quick and easy to apply."

Does just what is described.

Tell us some more about the technical aspects of the product?

Ultrasun lists:

Fragrance free

Water resistant

SPF50 (Gel also available as SPF20 and SPF30)

Sweatproof

Non-greasy

Easy-to-apply

Transparent

Vegan-friendly

Rate the product for performance:
 
9/10

Spot on for sports use. Easy to apply and delivered good levels of protection without greasiness.

Rate the product for durability:
 
8/10

Protection lasts well, but re-application is advisable on long-duration rides. Bottle is not ideal size for portability.

Rate the product for weight (if applicable)
 
6/10

Bottle is too large/heavy to pack along on a ride, but SPF50 option only available as 200ml.

Rate the product for comfort (if applicable)
 
9/10

Easy to apply and not noticeable when on. No greasiness or discomfort.

Rate the product for value:
 
5/10

It's not the cheapest product out there but this is a high-performance fine-tuned sports-focused product from a company with a long pedigree in sun protection.

Tell us how the product performed overall when used for its designed purpose

Very well indeed.

Tell us what you particularly liked about the product

Texture, ease of application, levels of protection, non-reef-damaging.

Tell us what you particularly disliked about the product

Size of bottle was neither large enough for economy/whole summer use, nor small enough to pack along on a ride. SPF20 and SPF30 options are also available as 100ml or 400ml bottles.

How does the price compare to that of similar products in the market, including ones recently tested on road.cc?

Marginally more expensive than the Pelotan tested on road.cc, but this is a sports-focused product from a long established company specialising in sun protection. More expensive than non-sports-specific sun protection options.

Did you enjoy using the product? Yes

Would you consider buying the product? Definitely

Would you recommend the product to a friend? Yes

Use this box to explain your overall score

An easy-to-use and high-quality sun protection product that lasts well and offers good levels of protection without greasiness. Ethical ingredients too.

Overall rating: 8/10

About the tester

Age: 43  Height: 1.65m  Weight: 73kg

I usually ride: Boardman Hybrid Fi  My best bike is: Specialized Ruby Elite

I've been riding for: 10-20 years  I ride: Most days  I would class myself as: Experienced

I regularly do the following types of riding: commuting, touring, sportives, general fitness riding, mtb,

Ultrasun Sports Gel Sun Protection SPF 50 2020
Ultrasun Sports Gel Sun Protection SPF 50
Ultrasun 2020
Ultrasun
Lara Dunn

Lara has been riding bikes for longer than she'd care to admit, and writing about them nearly as long. Since 2009 she has been working as part of the road.cc review team whilst championing women's cycling on the side, most notably via two years as editor of the, sadly now defunct, UK's first and only women's cycling mag, erm, Women's Cycling. 

Believing fervently that cycling will save the world, she wishes that more people would just ride a bike and be pleasant to each other. 

She will ride anything with two wheels, occasionally likes to go fast, definitely likes to go far and is always up for a bit of exploring somewhere new and exciting. 

Add new comment

8 comments

Avatar
check12 | 3 years ago
0 likes

Ambre Solaire Clear Protect Sun Cream Spray SPF50 200ml = £6.99? Or am i missing something? Is a liquid so goes on super easy.

Advanced UVA + UVB protection with photostability
With a patented filtration system that includes Mexoryl® XL, it protects against UVA and UVB rays.
Very water resistant.

https://www.superdrug.com/Skin/Sun-Care/Sun-Protection-Sprays/Ambre-Sola...

Avatar
olic replied to check12 | 3 years ago
1 like

Ultrasun lasts all day and doesn't need re-application. The product you linked to clearly states it needs regular re-application which isn't really ideal when you're out on a ride

I've used ultrasun and p20 on a number of rides in italy, spain, south of france etc. and I have very pale skin, but i've never ended up burnt and have never had to re-apply despite riding for 8hrs in very strong sunshine. I rate Ultrasun higher than P20 though as it tends to be much nicer to apply and doesn't stain

Avatar
wtjs | 3 years ago
0 likes

Agreed! There is never any reason to use anything less than Factor 50 (or whatever is the highest number obtainable)- for the deluded there is the option to put it on more thinly.

Avatar
Secret_squirrel | 3 years ago
1 like

I swear by this stuff and stock up in duty free at every opportunity.

Im pale and freckley and tend to use use the 20 in the UK and the 30 in Spain with the 50 on the kids.  20 is usually fine for the average 3-4 hr ride if I want that classic cyclist tan line.

Avatar
Welsh boy replied to Secret_squirrel | 3 years ago
0 likes

Why would you want that "classic cyclist" skin damage line?  Any tan is skin damage and so a cancer risk, I cant believe that someone pale and freckley is trying to get a tan in this day and age.

I use Riemann p20 factor 50, available as a gel liquid, thick cream of thin liquid, it lasts for 10 hours and is water (therefore sweat) resistant so no need to reapply when you are out for the day.

Avatar
Sriracha replied to Welsh boy | 3 years ago
2 likes

I've used the Riemann P20 in the South of France in summer. It does actually give all day protection so it's one less thing to bring on the ride, which is just as well since the bottle leaks and is space inefficient (massive lid designed to make the bottle appear bigger on the shelf). But even when given 15 mins drying time after application it does stain clothes a greenish tinge, and I never put it on my forehead because it stings dreadfully when it eventually gets into the eye.

Avatar
Secret_squirrel replied to Sriracha | 3 years ago
0 likes

Firstly I find P20 in all its various factors stings like buggery if you sweat it into your eyes.  Secondly it stains pale colours and whites yellow.  I gave up on it after it ruined one too many TShirts.

Also in my case a cyclists "tan" is from pale white to magnolia, very much not trying to get crispy.  I see no point in using 50 when I know from experience that in a UK summer 20/30 is plenty.

Avatar
mpdouglas replied to Secret_squirrel | 3 years ago
0 likes

I completely agree. It goes on so easily and lasts all day.  I used this on a 6 day Dolomites tour last summer including a couple of midday ascents of the Stelvio in near 40 degree heat and direct sun, and I never topped up and never got burnt. It even resisted periodic cooling down with those roadside streams. It can be pricey and the suggestion to buy in duty free is a good one. The ease of application means I tend to be far more diligent applying it to ears, neck etc.

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