A pediatric dermatologist shares what to know about sunscreen for children, including what ingredients to look for and what’s considered safe.
With summer approaching and more time spent outside, sunscreen should be top of mind for parents and caregivers before heading out to the park, playground, or beach. Sun protection, particularly for kids, is essential because there’s cumulative damage from exposure to the sun over a lifetime.
“It’s really important to develop healthy sun protection habits in childhood,” says Dr. Christine Lauren, a pediatric dermatologist at NewYork-Presbyterian Morgan Stanley Children’s Hospital of Children’s Hospital of New York. “When we think about sunscreen, what we’re really thinking about is a healthy sun protection strategy overall. Sunscreen is one component, but protection includes things like seeking shade, and wearing sun protective clothing, hats, and sunglasses.”
There are many sunscreen formulations to choose from. To help find the best sunscreen for your family, we asked Dr. Lauren what to consider when shopping for sunscreen, tips for applying it, and if your child does get sunburned, how to manage it.
What kind of sunscreen do you recommend for children?
Sunscreen is not approved in infants less than 6 months old, so the best protection for infants is to keep them out of the sun and use sun-protective strategies.
When shopping for a sunscreen, look for one that’s labeled broad spectrum. There are two wavelengths of light — ultraviolet A (UVA) and ultraviolet B (UVB) — and it’s important to have protection from both. Broad spectrum sunscreens help prevent not only sunburn but other invisible changes to the skin that later in life can result in skin cancer and aging.
What SPF is safest?
SPF (sun protective factor) is the amount the sunscreen is protecting from wavelengths of light. The higher the number, the less sunlight is getting through the sunscreen onto the skin. In general, an SPF of 30 or higher is going to be effective and the best sunscreen for kids. For people with predilections to damage from the sun — either because of a weakened immune system or a sunlight sensitivity — they may opt for a higher SPF.
Mineral vs. Chemical Sunscreens
Sunscreens are made of active ingredients or UV filters that help prevent the sunlight from interacting with the skin. There are two main types — mineral and chemical — and labels at the store can be confusing. “Regardless of the type, all sunscreens available in the U.S. contain FDA-approved, active ingredients,” says Dr. Lauren. “Given the risks of sun exposure, any sunscreen is better than no sunscreen, but particularly in children, it is important to consider your sunscreen’s active ingredients.”
Mineral
How it works: Mineral sunscreens (also known as physical sunscreens) sit on top of the skin and physically block sunlight like a shield. They form a barrier to sunlight, so when you put a mineral sunscreen on, it acts immediately.
Ingredients: There are two mineral sunscreen filters: zinc oxide and titanium dioxide, both which are “generally recognized as safe and effective” (“GRASE” for short) by the FDA. In general, a mineral-based sunscreen will have zinc oxide, and it may or may not have titanium dioxide.
Who it is recommended for: Mineral sunscreen is generally considered safest and recommended in infants starting at age 6 months and younger children; children with atopic dermatitis or eczema (about one in five children has this condition); and anyone with sensitive skin.
Other considerations: Mineral sunscreen traditionally is thick and can leave a whitish film, visible particularly on darker skin tones. Look for a product that is tinted or labeled “sheer zinc”, “clear zinc”, “micronized” or “nanosized” if this is a concern.
Chemical
How it works: Chemical sunscreens contain chemical ingredients that absorb the sun’s UVA and UVB rays, like a sponge, and prevent them from damaging the skin. Unlike mineral sunscreens, chemical sunscreens need time to become effective, so it’s recommended to apply them 15 to 20 minutes before outdoor exposure.
Ingredients: A combination of different chemical filters (examples include avobenzone, oxybenzone, and octocrylene) give you that broad spectrum of protection. Turn the bottle over and look at the active ingredients – if it’s anything other than zinc oxide or titanium dioxide, that means the sunscreen contains chemical sunscreen filters.
Who it is recommended for: A lot of people find sunscreen containing chemical filters easier to apply and more cosmetically appealing. Chemical sunscreens are generally considered safe in older children and adults.
Other considerations: Recent studies have suggested that some chemical sunscreen filters may be absorbed into the body however the significance is not known, and further investigation is necessary. Oxybenzone has been found to affect hormones in animal studies. The FDA recommends continued sunscreen use and concerned parents can opt for mineral based sunscreen filters (zinc oxide, titanium dioxide).
How much sunscreen should you apply?
People generally do not apply enough, and it’s part of the reason for sunburn. Each application should be about an ounce of sunscreen — think of a shot glass worth for an adult’s body.
How often should you reapply sunscreen?
We recommend putting on sunscreen before you leave in the morning for your day and then reapply every two hours with outdoor exposure. Make sure to reapply when you get out of the water or with sweating. “Water resistant” sunscreen will last 40 minutes on wet skin, “very water resistant” will last 80 minutes.
Do you recommend spray, stick or lotion?
The most important thing is finding one that your child will wear, and many sunscreen creams and lotions are available. Sunscreen sticks can be very practical for kids, particularly if they are at camp or on sports teams because they can carry it in their pocket, and easily reapply to uncovered skin. There is caution related to spray sunscreen as they generally do not deposit evenly on the skin and there is concern that they can be inhaled when aerosolized. If you have to use a spray sunscreen on your child, spray it on your hand and then rub it on your child as opposed to spraying it in a plume.
What areas do kids usually miss when applying sunscreen?
Backs can be difficult to reach, and often get missed if sun protective clothing isn’t used leading to sunburn — particularly for boys. Other areas to remember are the back of neck and the ears, especially for kids who are wearing a baseball cap and not a wide brimmed hat.
But this is where it comes back to overall sun protective measures. Seek shade, particularly when the sun is the strongest between the hours of 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. Incorporate sun protective clothing into the routine to make sure the skin is protected especially when you’re outdoors and there’s no shade. A lot of mainstream brands now make sun protective clothing and swimwear that look more athletic and stylish.
Do children need sun exposure to get enough vitamin D?
Vitamin D is really important to overall health, but that doesn’t preclude protecting for the adverse effects of the sun. There are general recommendations for daily supplementation to make sure that you are getting the right amount of vitamin D — irrespective of sun exposure.
If your child is sunburned, what are the best treatments?
If the area is just red and warm, cool compresses or a cool bath can be helpful. Taking over-the-counter medication (like ibuprofen or acetaminophen) can help manage the pain and inflammation. There are also many topical products that can be used to cool and soothe the skin, like aloe or oatmeal.
If there are signs of a significant sunburn, like fever, blisters, significant pain, or otherwise feeling unwell, parents should reach out to their child’s doctor as wound care, management of infection and/or other symptoms may be warranted. It’s also really important to stay hydrated because significant sunburn can lead to dehydration.
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