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From fragrance-free to water-resistant SPF, these lotions and sprays will keep kids’ skin safe
A good sunscreen for kids is a must – it’s so important to protect delicate skin from the sun’s powerful rays. When it comes to choosing the best sunscreen for kids, we’ve got you covered, with our top pick of products and all the advice you’ll need to keep kids safe in the sun.
The NHS advises that children should wear sunscreen of at least SPF 30 every day from March until October in the UK. UV rays can penetrate through clouds, so it’s important to apply sunscreen even when it’s overcast. Sunscreen has an expiry date on the bottle, and most should only be used within 12 months of opening (to ensure they are still effective), so, check if you’re due a restock.
SPF stands for sun protection factor, which is a measure of the amount of ultraviolet B (UVB) radiation protection in a sun cream. However, you should also check the UV rating of any sunscreen you’re thinking of buying. The UV rating measures the amount of protection against UVA rays – you want to see at least a four-star rating, but the gold standard is five stars.
You should apply sunscreen 30 minutes before your child goes out in the sun, to protect them from the get-go. You need to apply liberally – the British Skin Foundation suggests one teaspoon for the face, neck and shoulders, while whole bodies require five teaspoons. That’s a lot of rubbing in but it’s worth it.
Also think about whether you want to opt for a mineral or chemical kids’ sunscreen. Mineral sunscreens have natural ingredients such as zinc oxide, which works by sitting on the skin and scattering the sunlight. These tend to be reef-safe, too. Meanwhile, chemical sunscreens work by sinking into the skin, so that, when UV rays permeate your skin, filters react with the rays, converting them into heat that’s released via the skin.
We tested about 50 formulas over two hot spring and summer periods, to find the best sunscreens for kids. We tested on babies, toddlers, kids, tweens and teens. Our testers were mainly concerned with how long the sunscreen took to apply, how it felt on their skin and what it smelled like. As parents, we wanted a sunscreen that offered peace of mind – high SPFs and broad-spectrum sunscreens were the order of the day. We were also interested in how easy the formulas were to wash off – our testers took a shower or bath every day after applying the sunscreens. Our testers have sensitive skin, so we were keen to see how gentle the sunscreens were, too. While you can’t put a price on sun safety, we also considered value for money.
There are a number of things to consider when looking for the best sunscreen for kids...
SPF: This denotes the sun protection factor and is a measure of the amount of ultraviolet B radiation (UVB) protection in a suncream. It is important to ensure the product has an SPF of at least 30.
UV rating: The ultra violet rating measures the amount of protection against UVA rays – you want to see at least a four-star rating but ideally this would be five. UVA protection can also be indicated by the letters “UVA” in a circle, which indicates it meets the EU standard.
Mineral vs chemical: There are a couple of different types of sunscreens for kids – ones with mineral filters and ones with chemical filters. Mineral sunscreen, which is often also referred to as physical sunscreen, stays on the surface of the skin and deflects the sun’s harmful UV rays. Meanwhile, chemical sunscreen is absorbed into the skin and protects by inactivating UV rays via a chemical reaction. For the most part, there is not one type of sunscreen that is considered better than the other, it simply comes down to preference and what is comfortable for your skin.
If you plan to be out in the sun long enough to risk burning, the NHS advises sunscreen needs to be applied twice before leaving the house: 30 minutes before going out and just before going out. Sunscreen should be applied to all areas of skin not protected by clothing, such as the face, ears, feet and backs of hands.
It’s important to reapply sunscreen liberally and frequently, including straight after you have been in water, even if you’re using a water-resistant formula, and after towel drying, sweating or in any other instance when the sunscreen may have been rubbed off. It’s also recommended to reapply sunscreen every two hours, to ensure it continues to be effective.
The NHS advises not to use sunscreen on babies under six months, as it’s not great for their very delicate skin. Instead, young babies should be kept out of direct sunlight between March and October.
Unless a brand specifically says not to, adults can use kids’ sunscreen, too. The formulas feature similar active ingredients, broad-spectrum UV protection and often use more gentle hypoallergenic ingredients, so, if you have sensitive skin, children’s sunscreens may be a better pick.
For anyone with eczema, it’s a good idea to opt for mineral sunscreen over chemical-based ones, as the latter can cause flare-ups or irritation. Meanwhile, any formulas that are too thick and greasy may become itchy and uncomfortable on the skin, so, it’s best to test a new product on a small patch of skin first, rather than simply slathering on the lotion and heading outside. Look for formulas that contain titanium dioxide and zinc oxide, as they are very effective UV ray blockers and have a low-allergy risk.
For the second year running, La Roche-Posay takes home the trophy. We found ourselves opting to use this sunscreen on ourselves rather than our usual sunscreen, too, which shows how easy it is to apply and wear. We’d highly recommend Ultrasun, too, if you want cast-iron protection. We also loved Sunly’s dedication to being waste-free.
Now the kids are protected, invest in one of these facial sunscreens that will give you daily protection, too