When there are so many brands of sunscreen available today, finding the right one for your children can be…well, more than a little tricky. However, that’s just the start of things, when you realise you’ve also got to have a tight grip on things like – how often should you apply kids sunscreen?
The answer to that particular quandary is every two hours – just like every other type of sunscreen on the market. That changes if your little ones get wet in the sea or pool, unless you have a ‘water resistant’ brand that gives your kids around 40-80 minutes of safe time in the water.
If you’re not using this type of sunscreen, however, immediate re-application is required to give your kids adequate protection against the sun’s UV rays.
Other Things You Should Know About Kids Sunscreen
Application timings represent just one part of the overall knowledge you need to keep your kids sun safe. Let’s take a look at a few of them now…
You Should Use SPF 30 or Above
Of course, everyone’s skin is different, however, you should typically offer at least an SPF 30-level of protection. There are higher SPFs, such as SPF 50, but as a rule of thumb, that’s usually plenty to keep their skin sunburn-free.
Mineral Brands Offer Immediate Protection
You need your kids to get immediate protection from the sun, however, that’s not something you get from chemical brands. Mineral kids sunscreen does though, as it usually contains zinc oxide that sits on the surface, providing a resilient barrier. Chemical brands take upwards of 20 minutes to become effective after absorption, meaning you have to keep your kids inside.
You Shouldn’t Forget the Lips & Eyelids
When putting sunscreen on your kids, you should also be sure to cover not just the main areas but also other parts that are prone to getting burnt – like the lips and eyelids. Lotion is great for all-over coverage, but having a sunscreen stick to fill in areas you’ve missed is also preferable.
Keep Them Covered Up Too!
Sunscreen is great for protecting your kid’s skin, but supporting the work it does also is a good idea. As such, by getting your little ones to wear sunhats, sunglasses and light clothing, you’ll get the complete coverage you need. Ok, so all those garments might not be great for fun on the beach, but they work pretty much everywhere else on a sunny day!
Kids Sunscreen is Great – When It’s Part of Your Sun Safety Approach
So, to recap, kid’s sunscreen is best when it’s the mineral kind, you should use at least an SPF30, and it works best when it’s given some support with sun-safe garments.
Staying safe in the sun doesn’t have to be brain surgery, as it’s just a matter of being sensible and treating that glowing ball of fire in the sky with the respect it deserves. Do that and you’ll get the reassurance that your kids are protected.
