Sun Care 101: Basics Of Sun Safety And The Best Sunscreen For Kids 

Sun Care 101: Basics Of Sun Safety And The Best Sunscreen For Kids 

10 Apr 2023 | 6 min Read

Sudeshna Chakravarti

Author | 799 Articles

With summer in full swing, it’s the perfect time for you and your little one to indulge in outdoor play, visit the beach, and go for picnics. It’s also the ideal time to arrange a pool party in your backyard, where your toddler can play water games, and have the best time of their lives. However, amid all the summer fun, don’t forget to pay crucial attention to sun safety and protect your little one’s delicate skin from the harsh UVA and UVB rays.

Read on to know more about the crucial sun safety tips to protect your munchkin’s skin, and guidelines to follow while choosing the best sunscreen for them.

Why Is Sun Safety Crucial For Kids?

Sun Safety

You need to follow essential sun safety tips to keep your little one’s skin protected against the harmful UVA and UVB rays / Image credit: Freepik

As you know, the sun emits invisible rays, better known as ultraviolet rays (UV rays) that pose the risk of causing irreversible damage to your skin and eyes. The UV rays are further categorised into UVA and UVB rays. While the UVA rays are responsible for the absorption of vitamin D in your body, extended exposure to these radiations may cause skin concerns like tan, inflammation, and rashes.

Additionally, when your munchkin spends a lot of time under the sun, their body fails to produce a dark pigment called melanin (which naturally protects the skin against the sun rays), leading to inflammatory skin reactions, such as sunburns.

Due to these reasons, you should pay special attention to sun safety rules for kids, and also arm yourself with the best sunscreen that offers full-proof protection to your child’s skin, while keeping it moisturised and healthy.

How To Choose The Best Sunscreen For Your Toddler?

Choosing the best sunscreen for your toddler may not be an easy task, especially with all the options available today. However, to make things a little easier for you, we have compiled a set of points that you should keep in mind before buying a sunscreen for your kid.

  • Make sure to pick a sunscreen that is labelled mineral-based, as other formulations may contain harmful chemicals that are unsuitable for your child’s sensitive skin.
  • Always opt for a sunscreen that has an SPF of 30 or higher. It should also have PA+++ technology to prevent sunburns.
  • Choose a sunscreen that is water-resistant. Your child may spend a lot of time in water bodies and pools in the summer months, and that should not compromise sun protection. 
  • Besides being an effective sun-protectant, make sure the sunscreen has a non-sticky, lightweight, and deeply moisturising formula.
  • Go for a sunscreen that has ‘broad spectrum’ mentioned on its label. A broad-spectrum sunscreen offers coverage against both UVA and UVB rays and prevents inflammatory skin conditions like rashes.
  • Also, choose a sunscreen that is free from sulphates, parabens, and other harmful chemicals, as they may irritate your little one’s sensitive skin.

Ingredients To Look For In Your Toddler’s Sunscreen

Sun Safety

Image caption: Opt for plant-based and organic sunscreens as they help keep your child’s skin nourished and soft / Image credit: Freepik

When it comes to ingredients, you should always opt for plant-based and natural actives, which offer gentle care to your little one’s skin. For instance, you can opt for BabyChakra’s natural moisturising sunscreen, which is built with non-nano technology and features a 100% natural formulation to offer effective care to your toddler’s skin.

It contains botanical and skin-friendly ingredients, such as

  • Organic carrot seed oil: An effective antioxidant that protects your little one’s skin against free radical damage.
  • Chamomile oil: Another potent antioxidant that heals your child’s skin and prevents sun damage.
  • Organic almond oil: An excellent source of natural vitamin E that rejuvenates and hydrates your little one’s skin during and after sun exposure.
  • Radish root extract: This ingredient acts as an anti-inflammatory agent that helps heal and soothe your toddler’s rashes and sunburns.
  • Organic rosehip oil: A natural source of essential nutrients like vitamins A, C, and E that tackle visible signs of skin damage and protect against sunburns.
  • Titanium dioxide: A natural mineral compound that offers broad-spectrum protection against UVA and UVB rays.
  • Zinc oxide: This is a mild mineral compound that moisturises and soothes dry and irritated skin, and offers effective protection against sun rays.

Safety Tips To Keep In Mind While Using Sunscreen For Kids

We have discussed a few tips that you should keep in mind before using sunscreen on your child’s skin.

  • If your toddler has sensitive skin, conduct a patch test beforehand to determine the possibility of allergic reactions.
  • Make sure to avoid physical sunscreens as they contain harmful ingredients and may cause long-term damage to your skin.
  • Avoid using sunscreen if your child is younger than six months.
  • Make sure to reapply the sunscreen every 2-3 hours for maximum protection. 

Conclusion

It’s important to protect your toddler’s skin from the harmful effects of the sun and prevent the risk of skin concerns like rashes and sunburns. That’s why you should follow the sun safety tips that we have discussed above, and also get your hands on the best infant sunscreen to keep your munchkin’s skin protected and well-nourished. 

Recommended Baby Care Products:

Moisturising Creamy Bathing Bar

Natural Baby Face Cream

Natural Baby Lotion

Also Read:

Remedies for stomach pain in babies: These home remedies help offer quick relief to your little one and solve their tummy issues.

Baby hiccups: Here’s why your little one hiccups frequently and tips to manage them.

How to clean your baby’s ears: We have listed some precautionary methods that you should keep in mind while cleaning your baby’s ears at home.

Cover Image Credit: Freepik.com

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