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FOR ALL AGES
Spending time with your baby in the sun is a wonderful way to memories.
But whether you're taking your baby away on holiday or having a picnic in the garden, it's important to make sure they are fully protected from harmful UV rays, which can be doubly damaging to sensitive baby skin.
That's where a good sun cream comes in. Any sun protection you're thinking of getting your child should be at least SPF 30 (ideally SPF50) to protect against nasty UVB rays (the ones that cause sunburn and skin cancer). You should also make sure that your chosen sunblock includes UVA protection; it's these rays that cause skin damage, ageing and even damage to our cells' DNA.
All the products we've chosen here provide both, as well as a host of other benefits. Nivea Sun and Garnier Ambre Solaire are frequently voted among the best of the big brands for reliable sun care. But what about budget options or ethical products? Check out our list of the best sun cream for babies and find the one that's best for you.
Remember, no amount of sun cream provides full protection from UVA and UVB rays, so it's best to keep kids out of the direct sun between 11am and 3pm (particularly if you have a baby less than six months old). Be sure to reapply sun creams every two hours, even if they claim to be waterproof or sweat-resistant.
Header Image © Unsplash
Heralded among parents, skincare experts and bloggers as one of the best sun care options you can give your children, Sunsense Kids SPF 50+ is our top choice. The milky consistency glides on easily, it's fragrance-free and specially made for the delicate skin of children six months and older. It comes in a nifty little bottle that makes it easy to slip into any bag or pocket and the roll on-aspect makes it quick and easy for kids of all ages to apply. Win.
Childs Farm's super high protection formula is specially made to be kind to skin that's susceptible to eczema and other skin conditions, and it's both paediatrician and dermatologist approved. At SPF 50+, it provides top coverage, it's completely fragrance-free, and though it's a little greasy upon first application, it is quickly absorbed.
If you're looking for a tried and tested brand that won't break the bank and will always be widely available, go for Nivea. One of the most popular sun care choices for kids (36% of families surveyed in 2018 named it their go-to brand), the spray makes it super easy to apply, it's water-resistant and has the added benefit of being available abroad, so you know you can get it wherever you're sunbathing.
If you're looking for something chemical-free, try Green People Sun Lotion. Perfect for babies with allergies or ultra-sensitive skin, Green People's sun cream provides excellent UVA and UVB protection whilst also being paraben and chemical-free. The cream is thicker than a lot of the others listed here, but it sinks in relatively quickly. True to its name, it's also a more ethical choice: 30p is donated to the Marine Conservation Society with every bottle purchased.
If you're no stranger to kids' complaints about itchy, uncomfortable sand when you visit the beach, then this one is definitely for you. Another well-known brand, the Garnier Ambre Solaire range is a staple of many a family's beach bag. This one comes with unique sand-repelling properties that stop the sand sticking to the skin quite so persistently. It's hypoallergenic and also water-resistant. A beach staple.
Looking for a sun cream that kids and adults alike actually enjoy applying? This is it! This Swedish-designed sunscreen comes out in a bubbly, mousse-like foam that is perfect for babies and children who hate the sticky, greasy feel of regular sunscreen. Predictably, it's the lightest in texture of any of the products featured here: it glides on quickly and absorbs easily, taking the stress out of the obligatory routine re-applications. Ideal for babies six months and older, it delivers 95% protection from UVA and UVB rays and is supposedly 'extra' water-resistant.
Mustela Sun lotion is the best sun cream for newborns as it is specifically designed to be gentle enough to be used on their skin; its unique formula contains natural, active ingredients that work to protect a baby's skin cells and develop their skin's natural barrier function. The product itself is soft, silky and water-resistant. It's also quite runny, so if you want to avoid wastage make sure not to squeeze the bottle too hard.
Even adults are probably familiar with the awful, stinging sensation that occurs when sun cream gets into the eyes. This gentle, tear-free formula from Banana Boat is designed to prevent just that. Better still, it comes in a spray bottle to make application effortless and has a handy twist and lock feature that prevents leakages (is there anything worse than opening your beach bag to get out your picnic and finding everything doused in sun cream?).
Do you have the type of child who, as soon as you let them loose on the beach, will run off to explore and you won't see them for the rest of the day? If so, a once-a-day sunblock might be something of a godsend for you. Offering (extreme) UVA 99% and SPF 50+ protection, it's undoubtedly a hardworking product; just remember that even the best sunblock can't protect the skin entirely from sun damage, so it's still recommended to top it up whenever possible.
Providing broad-spectrum protection against UVA and UVB rays, it's a silky, lightweight product that melts into the skin and leaves it feeling supple, un-sticky and moisturised. The white colour helps to ensure even coverage and many users swear by it the perfect product for sensitive skin.
Originally from Manchester, Olivia has spent the last couple of years living between Toronto and Vancouver. She now works as a freelance writer in London and loves literature, travel and eating anything sweet. Her love of spending time with children began when she worked as an au pair in Paris.
Read The Disclaimer
At Kidadl we pride ourselves on offering families original ideas to make the most of time spent together at home or out and about, wherever you are in the world. We strive to recommend the very best things that are suggested by our community and are things we would do ourselves - our aim is to be the trusted friend to parents.
We try our very best, but cannot guarantee perfection. We will always aim to give you accurate information at the date of publication - however, information does change, so it’s important you do your own research, double-check and make the decision that is right for your family.
Kidadl provides inspiration to entertain and educate your children. We recognise that not all activities and ideas are appropriate and suitable for all children and families or in all circumstances. Our recommended activities are based on age but these are a guide. We recommend that these ideas are used as inspiration, that ideas are undertaken with appropriate adult supervision, and that each adult uses their own discretion and knowledge of their children to consider the safety and suitability.
Kidadl cannot accept liability for the execution of these ideas, and parental supervision is advised at all times, as safety is paramount. Anyone using the information provided by Kidadl does so at their own risk and we can not accept liability if things go wrong.
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September 06, 2021
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