Choosing sun protection by age

☀️ Why do children need more sun protection?

Childrens skin is thinner than adults and also has less melanin pigment which blocks and absorbs UV rays. For both these reasons, they burn faster.

In children the skin cells that are harmed in sunburn are naturally dividing more rapidly and so there are more opportunities for DNA damage. Just one blistering sunburn during childhood or adolescence nearly doubles the chance of getting skin cancer in adulthood.

Boy with sunstroke

I recommend you use quality sun lotion and /or dress kids in UV-protective clothing and sunhats. Encourage them not to play in the peak sun. Teaching kids to take the sun seriously not only protects them now but sets them up for healthy skin through their lives.

Are we meant to be protecting our kids from UVA and UVB?

UVA rays cause skin aging and cancer, UVB rays mostly cause the sunburn- and that sunburn can cause skin cancer, so they need protection against both!

☀️ ☀️☀️☀️☀️☀️☀️ So which suntan lotion should you buy? 

The SPF rating (protection against UVB rays) and the 1-5 star rating (protection against UVA rays) are both visible on UK suntan lotion bottles. That can make it confusing to choose, but essentially children need a sunscreen that is all of:

1. SPF 50 (UVB protection)

2. 5 Star (UVA protection)

3. Water resistant 

4. A childrens formulation*

   You can use adult suntan lotion on children for sure, but its good practice to do a test a few days before your trip to check for sensitivity. Childrens suntan lotions simply don't contain the dyes, perfumes & alcohol solutions that dry the skin so are less likely to irritate eyes and sensitive skin. That's that the only difference apart from the packaging!

   

   Child in UV protective swimwear

   "Water resistant" lotions stay active in water for aslong as they do out of water (usually around an hour) but note that once you're out of water they need to be reapplied even if you weren't in the water for that long.

   
   

Concerns about Oxybenzone and Benzene?

Firstly, they are very different things!

✅ Oxybenzone is an approved filter used in sunscreen. It absorbs UV light to protect skin from sun damage. Its an organic molecule designed to sit in the top layers of skin.

Benzene on the other hand is a toxic chemical found in petrol and cigarette smoke! -a definite carcinogen. Benzene is never added purposefully to sunscreens but it has been detected in some sprays due to contamination.

Sprays need to be thin to come out of a pressurised bottle as a fine mist and so manufacturers add solvents to make the fluid thin. The solvents are derived from petroleum and if they aren’t purified properly in the manufacturing process then they can be contaminated by traces of benzene. Its important to say that where its been found in unsafe levels these suntan sprays have been recalled.

It's not a reason not to use a suntan spray if it's what you have and you are getting burnt, as effects are cumilative, not from one off use. Experts do however worry about using them repeately over years and with added exposure from petrol fumes, and possibly smoking, at other times in life. You can check if your spray has been tested for benzene contamination on the consumer reports website: CR.org/benzene

Are Mineral sunscreens better and safer then?

You may prefer to use a mineral (zinc oxide or titanium dioxide) sunscreen that sits on top of skin instead of being absorbed, and is reef safe. Oxybenzone damages corals DNA so shouldnt be used in the water near reefs thats for sure. Mineral sunscreens were marketed as being safer for humans too because they don't contain chemicals like oxybenzone which are absorbed into skin and blood and do cause hormonal changes in some animals. A 2020 review of studies in humans didn't show any links to medical problems however, and millions of people have used suncreens without obvious issue. Concerns about these chemicals being toxic to humans have so far been refuted... however zinc oxide is good for kids anyway because it's less irritating and is in fact quite soothing for hot and sweaty sensitive, or eczema prone, skin. 

Mineral sunscreens tend to be less effective though, and they need more frequent applications.

Top baby tip: NHS guidelines say babes under 6 months shouldn't be exposed to direct sun at all. If they have to be in the sun I would definitely use a zinc oxide sunscreen for their very sensitive skin - I personally use Mustela baby/child mineral sunscreen F50 stick or La Roche Posay Anthelios Baby melt in milk Factor 60 for babies. I like that they have great protection for over an hour and they arent thick or sticky.

How much suntan lotion is enough?

Spray and lotion are equally good at sun protection if you put enough on.

For a childs body in swimming costume you would need a shot glass amount, and if spraying then it needs to be so thick that all the skin glistens after it's rubbed in. Rub down in the direction of hairs not against them, to avoid blocked pores. Remember you need to reapply as often as it says on the bottle, usually every 60-80 mins.

You dont need lotion under sun protective clothing only on exposed areas. Putting it under clothes increases heat rash.

What about Sun protective clothing? 

At the beach you can apply lotion to exposed areas only and wear sun protective swim clothes instead! Lots of UK brands now offer childrens UV swimwear and hats with neck flaps. On holiday I choose a dark (absorbs more radiation) long sleeved rash vest made from UPF 50+ fabric, which should block 98% of UV rays.

Pro tips

• Put lotion on indoors and give atleast 15 mins to soak in so that its working when you get into the sun.

• Don't miss ears, tops of feet, backs of hands, and lips- if you have ever seen a skin cancer waiting room you'll understand why :(

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