How to Choose Sunscreen for a Child

If your child spends any time outdoors, it is very important that you apply a good sunscreen to his er skin. Although a little sunshine exposure supplies important vitamin D, too much exposure can increase the risk of skin cancer. The general rule is you should use sunscreen on both you and your child every time you go outside, even if you are riding in a car. But with all of the sunscreen brands available, choosing one can be somewhat confusing.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Sunscreen with a high SPF
• Sunglasses
• Hat

1. Read the labels. Sunscreen labels contain a lot of information. Look for a brand with a high sun protection factor (SPF). The higher the SPF, the longer your child will be protected from harmful rays. For example, if the label says it has an SPF of 30, it means your child will be protected from sunburn 30 times longer than if he or she did not wear a sunscreen. In addition, make sure the label says that it is a broad spectrum sunscreen, which means it blocks both UVA and UVB rays. For children, use a sunscreen with a minimum of a 30 SPF. For babies, use a brand with a 50 SPF. Check with your pediatrician before using sunscreen on a baby under 6 months old.

2. For a day at the beach, choose a brand with a high SPF. You want to avoid sunburn so, if possible, apply the sunscreen at least a half an hour before you go out in the sun. Select a brand with a high sun protection factor (SPF), at least a 35 SPF or higher, and make sure it is waterproof and a broad spectrum brand.

3. For ease, choose a spray. It can be quite a chore to repeatedly apply sunscreen to a child, so consider one of the spray brands that have become popular in recent years. Just be careful, as it is easy to miss a spot because many of the sprays go on clear. In addition, if your child complains that a particular brand of sunscreen is itchy, switch brands.

4. Don’t be fooled by a cloudy day. Even on a cloudy day, the suns rays are still out there. You should be diligent about using sunscreen every time your child goes outside, even if the sun isn’t shining.

5. Reapply sunscreen often, every 1 to 2 hours, especially if your child is swimming. You can’t just apply sunscreen once if you are spending the day outside. Make sure to reapply sunscreen frequently, especially if you see any redness on your child’s skin. Once sunburn occurs, the damage has been done.

6. Use extra protection. Sunglasses are important for children to wear because they block UV rays to the eyes. And for extra protection from the sun, always put a hat on your child when they go outside.

Tips & Warnings

• Consider using an ultra-high SPF sunblock lotion on your child's face.