The ABCs of sunscreen for toddlers

2023 Author: Anita Thornton | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-11-27 18:44

Given the range of products available, choosing a sunscreen is far from easy. FPS 30 OR 50? In cream or in aerosol? Here are all the answers to your questions to properly protect the skin of the whole family and enjoy the summer with peace of mind!

Which FPS to choose?

SPF 30 is the ideal sun protection factor for children (and adults) because it provides a longer period of protection. For children who play outside all day, it's perfect! If your child has fair skin, hair and eyes or is on a holiday down south, you may want to go for SPF 50. Above 50, protection is not bigger. This is just a marketing ploy by cosmetic companies.

How often to apply?

Apply sunscreen generously 15 to 30 minutes before going outside. It must then be reapplied every two hours otherwise it loses its effectiveness and also after each swim, even if it has been less than two hours since the last application. As a general rule, not enough sunscreen is applied. Depending on the age of the child, 15 to 30 ml of sunscreen is needed to cover the whole body. Also note that the water-resistant mention does not prevent you from having to reapply it after swimming.

The good (and not so good!) ingredients

Have you ever checked the ingredient list on your sunscreen jar? Chances are you'll get lost. However, it is essential to consult it to avoid certain ingredients that raise concern for their he alth risks and thus make better choices.

Avoid:

Oxybenzone: Found in almost all chemical sunscreens (see the difference between chemical and physical sunscreen below). An American study showed that it was absorbed by the body, that it could disrupt the hormonal system of newborns and that it was even found in the mother's milk of women who used sunscreen containing it. In addition, it is frequently involved when a child has an allergic skin reaction. To avoid this, choose instead mineral sunscreens which are better choices for babies over six months (no sunscreen before this age) and children.

Also: Retinyl palmitate, Benzophenones, perfumed and aerosol products (due to possible inhalation of the product).

Preferred:

Zinc oxide. Used in physical sunscreens, it blocks and reflects the rays thus preventing them from penetrating the skin. It is the most physical filtereffective and safest.

Also: Mexoryl, Tinosorb, Titanium Dioxide

Did you know? The SPF indicates the sun protection factor against UVB rays only. Look for the new He alth Canada logo indicating that the sunscreen provides protection against UVA rays in addition to UVB rays. The broad spectrum mention also indicates that the product protects against both types of rays.

Mom's crush for life

Kids Plastic Free Sun Stick SPF 30

ATTITUDE^®® ATTITUDE Plastic-Free SPF 30 Kids Sun Stick has an innovative packaging made entirely of biodegradable paper designed to reduce the single-use plastic. This handy cardboard tube makes it easy to apply sunscreen on the go! Designed to protect your little one's sensitive skin, our broad-spectrum sunscreen for kids is hypoallergenic and dermatologically tested and made with non-nano zinc oxide, the safest option according to experts at the EWG.