What is the best sunscreen for kids?
When choosing a sunscreen for their baby, toddler, or young child, parents typically make their choice on a sunscreen using only a few characteristics:
* the highest SPF they can find, typically 50+
* a kids' brand (Banana Boat Kids, Coppertone Kids, Coppertone Waterbabies, Neutrogena Pure & Free Baby, etc.)
While it is fine to use these, they are really not that much different from those that are made for adults, so you don't really have to buy a separate sunscreen just for your kids.
Remember that a sunscreen isn't better just because it is more expensive.
Best Sunscreen
Things to look for that would indicate that you are buying one of the 'best sunscreens,' include that it:
* provides broad spectrum UVA and UVB protection.
* has an SPF of at least 15 to 30. You could go for a higher SPF, but most experts believe that they don't provide that much extra protection. Some experts go as far as to say the SPF rating should be capped at 30.
* is water resistant. Even if you aren't going swimming, if your child is outside, he will likely be sweating, so a water resistant might provide better protection than a regular sunscreen.
* is hypoallergenic and fragrance free, especially if your child has sensitive skin.
* is in a form that is easy to use on your child, whether that means it is a gel, lotion, spray, continuous spray, etc.
Broad Spectrum Sunscreens
Unfortunately, many sunscreens that say that they are broad spectrum really aren't or don't block rays from the full UVA spectrum. To get good protection from UVA rays, look for sunscreens that list avobenzone, titanium dioxide, or zinc oxide as ingredients.
Sunscreen Ingredients
If your child gets a rash from his sunscreen, you might review the ingredient's list and choose a different one next time. Make sure to choose one that is PABA free. You might also look for one that gets its UVA protection from a sunblock, such as titanium dioxide or zinc oxide, since they can be less irritating than avobenzone, a common sunscreen ingredient.
Be sure to apply it to just a small area of your child's skin if you think he might have a reaction to the new sunscreen too.
Kid-Friendly Sunscreen and Sunblock
Sunscreen and sunblock that have all of the characteristics that you would look for to protect your kids from the sun include:
* Banana Boat Baby Tear-Free Continous Spray Sunblock, SPF 50
* Banana Boat Baby Tear-Free Sunblock Lotion, SPF 50
* Banana Boat Baby Faces Sunblock Stick, SPF 50
* Banana Boat Kids Dri-Blok Sunblock Lotion, SPF 30
* Banana Boat Kids Tear-Free Sunblock, SPF 50
* Banana Boat UltraMist Kids Spray, SPF 50
* Blue Lizard Australian Suncream, SPF 30
* Bull Frog Kids FastBlast Sunblock Spray, SPF 36
* Coppertone Kids Sunscreen Lotion, SPF 50
* Coppertone Kids Sunscreen Continuous Spray, SPF 50
* Coppertone Kids Sunscreen Continuous Spray, SPF 70+
* Coppertone WaterBabies Quick Cover Lotion Spray, SPF 50
* Coppertone WaterBabies Sunscreen Lotion, SPF 50
* Coppertone WaterBabies Sunscreen Lotion Spray, SPF 50
* Hawaiian Tropic Baby Faces & Tender Places Sunblock Spray, SPF 50+
* Neutrogena Kids Spray Waterguard Sunblock Mist, SPF 70+
* Neutrogena Waterguard Kids Sunblock Lotion, SPF 70+
* Neutrogena Pure & Free Baby Sunblock Lotion, SPF 60+
