So here’s our sunscreen routine with four kids: sunscreen lotion everywhere, greasy hands, move on to the next kid, greasy hands, next kid, greasy hands, globs of lotion on the floor as I try to hurry because everyone wants to go to the beach already, next kid, “Hurry up, Mum”, wash my hands… then realise the whole process has taken so long I probably need to start over. It’s like painting the Sydney Harbour Bridge – you think you’re finished when actually you have to begin again.

But a sunscreen that was less greasy and less of a ‘lotion’ would undoubtedly make the job of protecting the kids’ skin a whole lot quicker.

Celebrity (and mum of two) Anne Heche has created Tickle Time, a mineral powder sunblock for kids that won’t sting their eyes, make their skin sticky or make them run away from you screaming when they know it’s sunscreen time.

Created in conjunction with founders of mineral makeup company La Bella Donna, Tickle Time is a non-toxic, chemical-free mineral powder sunblock that is free from dyes, oils, fragrance, talc, alcohol, parabens, cornstarch and other chemicals. It’s a product that is not absorbed into the skin and therefore can be used on rash-prone skin, eczema and allergy-prone skin (with a near-zero allergy rate).  It also naturally keeps the skin cool and reduces perspiration on the skin. Tickle Time is also water-resistant and has an SPF of 20.

Tickle Time is US$35 and one tube lasts for more than three hundred applications. It’s available online however Tickle Time are not shipping directly to Australia as yet (so Aussies, call in the favours with friends in America before out summer gets truly underway!).