Review: Solex Sun Cream
Like Armour for Pale Northerners
Ah, the great British sun, that fiery orb that makes a rare appearance about four times a year, usually just long enough to burn your nose, the tops of your ears, and that tiny triangle of exposed chest that your shirt never quite covers. But when you're out green laning, camping, or lying flat on the roof of your 4x4 trying to fit a roof tent in 30°C heat, sun protection suddenly becomes very important. Even more so like me if you have a history of skin cancer.
Enter Solex Sun Cream that’s here to protect your delicate British skin from turning into leather, or worse.
First Impressions
Packaging-wise, Solex keeps it simple and practical. It looks like it belongs in a rucksack or the door pocket of your Defender, not on a fancy spa shelf. The twist-off cap works well with greasy hands, a small but vital detail. It also doesn’t explode when left in a hot glovebox, which is more than can be said for that yoghurt you forgot about last July.
Application & Feel
Now, most sun creams fall into two categories: 1) makes you feel like a greased pig at a county show, or 2) dries your skin out like a wet wipe left in a heatwave. Solex? It gets the Goldilocks balance just right.
Its unique selling point is the unique Solex foam applicator that allows you to apply suncream directly to your skin without the need to spread with your hands ensuring total protection. Using the mirror that’s built into the cap, you can see exactly where to apply sun cream, and where you’ve missed.
It goes on smoothly without making you look like you've been tangoed or basted for Sunday lunch. It soaks in reasonably quickly and doesn't leave that sticky film that attracts dust, dog hair, and midges like you're wearing some weird northern pheromone. You won’t find yourself gluing your arms to the steering wheel during a heatwave either – a very real concern if you’ve ever driven shirtless (not recommended unless you want dash-top burns).
Protection Performance
Solex only comes in 30 SPF, but during a rare run of sunny days we’ve recently endured, it performed brilliantly. No sunburn, no sore neck, and no red shins after lounging in a camp chair with your feet up on the bull bar.
It’s water-resistant too, which is handy when you’re caught in a summer downpour or flinging yourself into rivers pretending it’s ‘wild swimming’ rather than just falling in while trying to clean your Jetboil.
Scent & After Effects
It smells... nice. Nothing too overpowering, no coconut-and-deodorant mashup or 'budget bathroom cleaner' vibes. And crucially, it didn’t cause any rashes, itching, or ghostly white cast, even on sensitive skin. After a few hours in the sun, my arms still felt human, not like overcooked bacon.
Also worth noting: it’s reef-safe, which is more of a bonus if you ever take your 4x4 snorkelling in the Maldives (you probably shouldn’t), but nice to know all the same.
Final Thoughts
At the end of the day, Solex is the kind of sun cream you forget you’re wearing, and that’s the best kind. It protects, it doesn’t whiff like your nan’s talc, and it won’t turn your upholstery into a sticky crime scene.
Whether you’re wild camping, trudging up a trail with a rooftop tent on your back, or just sat outside the van with a brew and a flapjack, it’s a solid choice for anyone who wants to keep the sunburn at bay without feeling like they’ve rolled in chip fat.
Verdict:
Solex sun cream, it won’t make you cool, but it will stop you peeling like a week-old Greggs pasty. A must-have addition to your glovebox, centre console, or camping stash.
Website - https://solex.live/home/
Price - £25.00 (free shipping in the UK)