Best Sunscreens for Children

Children love to play and playing often involves time outdoors. This is particularly true during vacations, when kids have more free time. As a caring parent, it’s important to ensure that you are using the best sunscreen protection for your child when they are outside.A well formulated sunscreen will protect your child from the UVB rays that lead to Burning as well as the UVA rays that penetrate deeper into the epidermis and result in more longer damage such as age spots, wrinkles, leathery skin and even some types of skin cancers.

Children are More Susceptible to Sun Damage

Protecting children from UV exposure is very important because they tend to be more vulnerable to the effects of sunlight than adults. The reason for this is that skin in babies and young children contains immature versions of fully-fledged pigment cells (melanocytes). These immature cells divide and reproduce more rapidly when exposed to UV radiation. This rapid growth increases the chance that DNA damaged cells will reproduce and take hold, producing a tumor or melanoma. UV exposure may also affect the developing immune system of children, reducing the chances of an immune response which could help to destroy the developing cancer. Melanoma, the most serious form of skin cancer, accounts for about 10% of skin cancer cases. It is serious because it can spread rapidly through the body, forming secondary tumors in the liver, lungs, bone or brain.

Studies have shown that even one sunburn during childhood can double the risk of an individual acquiring skin cancer. Deep seated damage occurs to the skin’s cellular structure, but because skin cancer can take years to develop, the damage only becomes apparent many years later.

Best Sunscreens for Children

Many sunscreen manufacturers market sunscreens specifically for children. Despite the cute bottles, interesting fragrances and funny images, the most important thing to consider is if the product actually delivers. The rest of it might make the product more appealing to a reluctant child so it can help to ensure that the product goes on and stays on.

As with adults, the best sunscreens for children should possess the following characteristics:

• Photostability – ensuring that the product maintains its efficacy when exposed to sunlight
• Water resistance – important if your child will be spending time at the beach or in a pool
• Broad spectrum protection – agains UVB rays that lead to more immediate damage such as sunburns and against UVB rays that lead to longer damage such as wrinkles and more importantly skin cancer.

Follow sun smart tips as well:

• Keep children out of the sun between the hours of 10 am and 4 pm, when the sun’s rays are strongest
• Seek shade wherever possible
• Cover up with hats, sunglasses and long sleeves
• Always wear sunscreen when outdoors, even on cloudy days.

Best Sunscreen Brands for Children

From sprays to colored liquids, the following products are photostable and deliver broad spectrum UVA and UVB protection so that you can feel safe knowing that your child is well protected: