“For younger kids who want to help, using a stick sunscreen may be easier, followed by a parent touchup to important areas or places that they missed. “One thing that helps is to try to explain to your children why sunscreen is important in an age-appropriate way,” he says. Reapply every two hours, or more frequently if your child is going in the pool or sweating.” “Thirty minutes before kids go outside, apply to all exposed areas of the body not covered by clothing, such as the face, ears, neck, and back of the hands. “To achieve full efficacy, it is crucial to use enough sunscreen, not spread it too thin, and reapply,” Chien says. None of what goes into your sunscreen matters if you don’t apply it correctly. But if companies have tested and shown that their product can remain effective in water for up to 40 or 80 minutes, then they can legally use the term “water-resistant” on labels, followed by the tested-for time frame. Because no sunscreen is truly waterproof, the FDA no longer allows brands to make that claim. SPF 30 sunscreen blocks 97% of UVB rays.Ĭhoose Water-Resistant: Look for a sunscreen labeled “water-resistant,” especially if the kids will be swimming or sweating. Although you’ll find products with SPF all the way up to 100, studies have shown that the level of additional UVB protection you’ll get above SPF 30 is minimal. That’s why The American Academy of Dermatology recommends using sunscreens labeled SPF 30 or higher. SPF 30 or higher: It’s no secret that baby’s and children’s skin is super sensitive, which makes it extra susceptible to serious burns. Broad-spectrum sunscreen is necessary for extended outdoor activities like swimming and hiking. Although UVB rays are the stronger of the two and cause sunburns and most skin cancers, UVA rays can prematurely age your skin, causing wrinkles and age spots, and also increase the risk of skin cancer. Both work great at protecting the skin, but physical sunscreen is known to be safer for those with acne-prone or sensitive skin.īroad-spectrum: All sunscreens protect the skin from UVB rays, but broad-spectrum sunscreen protects your skin from UVA and UVB rays. ![]() Physical sunscreens contain active ingredients that reflect the Sun’s rays, while chemical sunscreens contain active ingredients that absorb the Sun’s rays so your skin doesn’t. chemical sunscreen: There’s two main categories of sunscreen: physical (oftentimes called mineral) and chemical sunscreens. When it comes to selecting the best sunscreen for your kids, there are a few hard-and-fast rules that experts across the board agree on. When the sun can’t be avoided, dress infants in long sleeves and pants and a wide-brimmed hat or bonnet, and use a stroller with a canopy or hood.Ĭhildren 6 months and up, however, should wear sunscreen - in addition to seeking shade and wearing hats, sunglasses, and sun-protective clothing that covers as much skin as possible.īut with so many different sunscreens for kids on the market, how do you choose? What You Need to Know About Sunscreen for Kids Because babies’ skin is so sensitive, she says, even sunscreen for babies can be too irritating. Chien, M.D., a dermatology professor at Johns Hopkins School of Medicine. “Sun exposure can be extremely dangerous for babies due to their thin skin and relative lack of melanin, the skin pigment that provides some sun protection,” says Anna L. But luckily, this is completely preventable, and that’s where a good quality sunscreen comes into play.įor infants under 6 months old, protection means keeping them out of the sun completely. Just one or two blistering sunburns doubles your child's risk of melanoma, according to the Skin Cancer Foundation. In fact, experts estimate that roughly 60% to 80% of a person’s total lifetime sun exposure happens in the first 18 years of life. “Using sunscreen regularly helps prevent sunburns, which are painful later that day or the next, and helps prevent future damage to your child's skin and greatly reduces their future risk of skin cancer.” “It is really important for both your child's health currently and for their future health,” says Christopher Scuderi, D.O., medical director at Northeast Florida Millennium Physician Group. The best sunscreen for babies and kids keeps them protected from the Sun’s damaging rays, is safe for little bodies, and is gentle on the environment, particularly delicate marine ecosystems. ![]() ![]() The Sun’s ultraviolet rays can burn skin in as little as 15 minutes - even when it’s cloudy - and early-in-life sunburns greatly increase the risk of skin cancer down the road. ![]() Whether you’re enjoying a family beach day or making a quick stop at the playground, the best sunscreen for kids should always be in your bag.
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