A couple were left ‘blistered and burnt’ after buying ‘fake’ sun cream on their long-awaited trip abroad – and now they’re warning other holidaymakers not to fall into the same trap.
Lauren Tyler was enjoying a lavish holiday in Thailand with her partner when trouble struck.
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Taking to TikTok, she posted a series of photos explaining the traumatic ordeal.
Initially, the pair were having a whale of a time, documenting adventurous activities like paddle boarding off a scenic Thai beach.
However, the holiday descended into chaos when the loved-up couple realised they had bought 'fake' sun cream.
The video pans to a picture of the pair in their room, featuring some very painful-looking burns covering their bodies.
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The text across the video reads: “Me and my boyfriend having the time of our lives in Thailand until we bought fake sun cream.”
Now seen more than 41,000 times, the video warns others to be vigilant, as the caption reads: “Imagine putting fake sun cream on a baby or a child.”
The video was met with some criticism, as someone commented: “Or maybe you didn’t put enough on and reapply it.”
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However, Lauren hit back, explaining that they used a whole bottle between them and were only out in the sun for two hours. The burns were so bad they even had blisters on their shoulders.
Another TikToker wrote: “Two hours in direct sunlight when you are both so pale, a big mistake.”
Lauren soon replied: “Pale people deserve a holiday too. Honestly, we have been here a week constantly applying. Buy a Thai one and this happened on the first day.”
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She now suspects it may have been regular moisturiser disguised in a sun cream bottle.
Other commenters offered words of support and shared their own stories.
One wrote: “I’ve heard about this happening before and I think it happened to a child. Sorry this happened to you!”
Another person added: “Omg this happened to use a few weeks ago.”
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So how much sun cream should you be applying?
Dr Marko Lens, a skin cancer specialist, told The Sun: “The correct amount to be used is one teaspoon for the entire face and neck, and it should be re-applied every two hours if exposed to the sun.
“I always recommend SPF (sun protection factor) 30 broad spectrum sunscreen as it provides high protection against both, UVA and UVB.”
Abbi Murray