How to Choose Sunscreen for Children

Children are especially vulnerable to the effects of the sun because it can lead to skin damage later in life. With the sea of creams and lotions on the market, it's important to select products with a good mix of UV protection and reliable active ingredients. For added help, use the latest kid-friendly sunscreens on the market, such as wipes and powders.

Instructions

Difficulty: Easy

1. Select a sunscreen for your child by considering its sun protection factor (SPF). The SPF is the degree of protection from ultraviolet rays. UV rays are the invisible rays that beam from the sun and cause skin cells to burn when they have absorbed too much energy.
2. Choose a sunscreen that has an SPF level between 15 and 30. For the average adult, an SPF of 15 is typical, but due to a child's delicate skin, it is best to go above that recommended number. For children 6 months and older, select a broad-spectrum sunscreen to protect from both UVA and UVB rays.
3. Make sure your child is not allergic by performing a patch test before using a chemical-based sunscreen. Rub a small amount of sunscreen on your child's arm. If redness or irritability occurs, consider getting one of the organic lotions, such as Burt's Bees chemical-free sunscreen.
4. Choose a paba-free sunscreen. Paba was once widely used in sunscreens but has now been linked to skin irritations and rashes. For the latest in baby health-care research and kid-kind products, visit BabyBlanketSuncare.com (see Resources below).
5. Pick out a sunscreen with an SPF of 30 or above for an infant. A sunscreen product for a little one should include zinc oxide and titanium dioxide and be free of chemicals and fragrances, such as Banana Boat Baby Tear Free UVA & UVB Sunblock Lotion, SPF 50.
6. Purchase a fast-drying lotion for highly active children. Choose one that is sweat-resistant and will not clog their pores. Try KineSyS sunscreen spray, as it is easy to apply to on-the-go kids.

Tips & Warnings

• If your children complain about having to apply messy lotions, choose Sunbuddy Sunscreen SPF 30 wipes. They come in one-time use packs of eight, making life a lot easier for a mom on the go.
• In the past, sunscreen was not recommend for children under 6 months of age, but many new products are entering the market that are free of harmful chemicals. Check with your doctor if you are unsure about when to start using sunscreen.