#Best sunscreen for kids skin

Ingredients: Sunscreen filters like titanium dioxide and zinc oxide are responsible for protecting against UV damage, so they're the most important ingredients to look for.

While mineral sunscreens reflect the sun's rays off the skin, chemical sunscreens absorb them.

#Best sunscreen for kids skin

Gohara and dermatologist Julie Russak, MD, both prefer mineral sunscreens over chemical sunscreens because they work for all skin types (even acne-prone or sensitive skin), aren't as irritating, and create a barrier to block UV rays. There's a lot to consider when it comes to buying a new face sunscreen, like the mineral or chemical makeup, ingredients, format, and SPF number. The bottom line: Lotions tend to be best unless you can diligently apply a spray or stick sunscreen.Show more Which face sunscreens do dermatologists recommend? “Sticks are also crowd favorites, but need four passes on each area of skin to have any effect,” he adds. But if you must use a spray, “The nozzle should be about 2 centimeters away from the skin and you should see the liquid on the skin,” says Dr. Think of application: Experts prefer lotions for surer application. Translation: Avoid using sunscreens with chemical ingredients (such as oxybenzone or avobenzone), as they have a higher risk for irritation.

Because their skin absorbs more per unit of body weight than an adult does, “it’s important to make sure that whatever you put on their skin is ‘pure,’” she adds. (Mineral formulas are also reef-safe, so you’ll keep coral-damaging chemicals out of our oceans too.) “Babies and kids have thinner skin and a higher surface-to-volume ratio,” says Dr. These natural sunscreens are often gentler on kids’ sensitive skin. mineral) sunscreens made of titanium dioxide or zinc oxide, which deflect sun rays, whereas a chemical sunscreen absorbs them, says Dr.

This ensures your sunscreen protects against both harmful UVA and UVB rays.Ĭhoose mineral: Many dermatologists prefer physical (a.k.a. Use a high SPF: A water-resistant, broad-spectrum sunscreen with an SPF of 30 or higher will be the safest choice for your kids. Once your child is 6 months old, make sure you apply SPF liberally for outdoor time. Instead, if your infant must be exposed to the sun, dress them in lightweight long sleeves and pants, a wide-brimmed hat, and sunglasses to protect them from head to toe. Important reminder: If your child is less than six months old, both the American Academy of Dermatology and the Skin Cancer Foundation recommend keeping your baby out of the sun (and avoiding sunscreen if you can), as their skin is highly sensitive and has too little melanin, making them more susceptible to sun damage. Meet the experts: Meghan Feely, M.D., a board-certified dermatologist Julia Tzu, M.D., founder and medical director of Wall Street Dermatology Adam Friedman, M.D., professor of dermatology and residency program director at the George Washington School of Medicine and Health Sciences and Joel Schlessinger, M.D., board-certified dermatologist and president of. So we tapped dermatologists to share the must-haves to look for in children’s sunscreen. No matter how your child reacts to putting on sunscreen, with all of the lotions, sticks, sprays, and creams with “baby” or “kids” on the label, the hardest thing may be choosing which one to use. But it’s essential to protect your little ones from the sun’s harmful UV rays by using the best sunscreen for kids. Wrestling with your toddler as you try to apply SPF is nobody’s idea of fun. We updated this article in May 2023 to add more information about each featured product, based on extensive research done by our team.