With summer in full swing, many of us are looking for a sunscreen to protect our children’s delicate skin from both the UVB rays that burn skin and the longer UVA rays that damage collagen and elastin and, over time, can contribute to premature aging of the skin and the development of some skin cancers.
When choosing a sunscreen for kids, these features are a “must”:
- UVA and UVB Protection. Look for your sunscreen to be labelled “broad spectrum”. The SPF (Sun Protection Factor) system only reflects the amount of protection provided against UVB rays, which cause sunburn. Only sunscreens that contain ingredients proven to protect against both UVA and UVB rays may be labeled as broad spectrum. One important thing to note: broad spectrum designation can only be used on sunscreens with SPF 15 or higher.
- Photostable Ingredients. This means that the ingredients will hold up to exposure to ultraviolet rays. Some ingredients break down when exposed to sunlight rendering them inactive and ineffective at providing protection. Mexoryl XL, as found in topselling Anthelios XL SPF 60 Comfort Cream, won’t degrade in sunlight. As a matter of fact, studies have shown that Mexoryl sunscreens maintain the majority of their sun filtering capability even 24 hours after initial application.
- Safety. While an issue for all of us, look for products containing ingredients that are not associated with free radical production (free radicals lead to skin damage) and do not disrupt hormones or cause skin sensitization. One of the worst offenders are older sun filtering agents including oxybenzone.
- Fragrance- and Paraben-Free.
Two new sunscreens for kids that tick all the boxes are Anthelios XL SPF 50 Dermo Kids Lotion and Ombrelle SPF 50+ Kids Lotion. Both provide excellent protection using a combination of titanium dioxide (a physical sun filter) and good concentrations of Mexoryl SX, Mexoryl XL, along with other stable sun filters. Specifically formulated for children’s sensitive skin, both new products are fragrance-free, paraben-free, hypoallergenic and water-resistant up to 40 minutes.
Although formulated for children, don’t let the names fool you. Both the Anthelios XL SPF 50 Dermo Pediatrics and Ombrelle SPF 50+ Kids Lotion work equally well for adults.
Still need a hand choosing sun protection for the family? Give us a call and we’d be happy to help.
