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How To Get Kids To Wear Sunscreen
Author: Caroline Farrer
Date: 28 Feb 24
We all know the importance of protecting our little ones from the sun to prevent sunburn and reduce the risk of melanoma down the road. While adults may be on board with the sunscreen routine, convincing kids to join can be more challenging.
In fact, Solmates Australia exists because of that very challenge! We designed and created our refillable sunscreen applicator because we were sick of the constant sunscreen battle with our young children.
Convincing them to pause to apply sunscreen when the park or pool is calling their name definitely isn't easy. Fear not! Here are our favourite tips to ensure your kids stay sun-safe and have a blast on your next outdoor escapade.
Kids thrive on routines, and knowing what to expect makes their days less chaotic. Transform sunscreen application into a habit, just like brushing their teeth or putting on their shoes.
Add it to the checklist of things to do before leaving the house, and soon, they'll know it's a part of the daily routine.
Empower your little ones by letting them be part of the sunscreen routine. While they may not be the sunscreen pros, involving them in the process can make it much more enjoyable for everyone.
You could apply the sunscreen, and they get to rub it in. Or use an applicator like the Solmate and let them apply it all by themselves!
Turn the sunscreen routine into a game, and you're sure to have willing participants. It's time to get a bit silly and think about how to make it enjoyable for all involved.
Who can create the squiggliest lines with their sunscreen before rubbing it in? For a change, you could try applying sunscreen in dots instead of your usual straight lines.
Sing their favourite song while applying for the little ones, or challenge the bigger kids to a sunscreen race against each other or the clock.
Remember, it doesn't have to be over-the-top – just a little something different to make sure your kids are smiling next time you reach for the sunscreen.
It is good to remember that ensuring that children wear sunscreen is not just about preventing sunburn—it's about instilling lifelong habits that promote sun safety and reduce the risk of skin cancer. By making sunscreen application a positive and engaging experience, we can encourage a long term positive approach to looking after yourself in the sun and safely enjoying the glorious Aussie outdoor lifestyle.
As parents, we prioritise the safety and well-being of our little ones above all else. When it comes to sun protection for babies, it is essential to find a baby sunscreen that not only shields them from harmful UV rays but also takes into account their sensitive and delicate skin. Natural sunscreens offer a fantastic alternative to conventional products, as they use gentle, plant-based ingredients that are less likely to cause irritation. In this blog, we will explore the key factors to consider when selecting the best natural sunscreen for your baby.
Conventional baby sunscreen contains chemical UV absorbers as their active ingredients. These chemicals absorb the sun’s harmful rays and mutate them into heat. Natural baby sunscreen are mineral-based using zinc oxide or titanium dioxide as their active ingredients. These minerals create a physical barrier on the skin, reflecting and scattering harmful UV rays away from your baby's delicate skin.
Choose a sunscreen with an SPF (Sun Protection Factor) of at least 30. SPF 30 provides high protection against UVB rays, filtering out around 97% of the sun's harmful rays. Higher SPF levels offer only marginal better protection with SPF 50 blocking out 98%. Often the chemicals needed to achieve this additional 1% protection can cause irritation or even stinging for people with sensitive skin.
There are 2 things to consider; protection provided by the sunscreen and the brands transparency in disclosing all ingredients.
The SPF rating on your baby screen related to the protection it provides from UVB rays. UVB rays are primarily responsible for sunburn and the formation of malignant melanoma. Unless the sunscreen also provides broad-spectrum protection it will not protect against UVA rays. UVA rays penetrate the deeper layers of the skin and are responsible for premature skin aging as well as playing a role in skin cancer formation. Ensure that the natural sunscreen you choose for your baby offers both SPF 30 and broad-spectrum protection, guarding against both UVA and UVB rays.
Once you’ve identified that the sunscreen contain high-level, broad spectrum protection the next thing is to ensure that you can read ALL ingredients in the product. Because it’s not a legal requirement most sunscreen brands in Australia do not disclose their full ingredient list. Brands that have nothing to hide are happy to be fully transparent with consumers. Only choose a baby sunscreen that lets you know exactly what you are putting on your baby’s skin.
It’s important to note that an infant’s skin is different from an adult’s. Our bodies produce a pigment called melanin that protects our skin from ultraviolet damage by causes it to darken/tan. An infant produces less melanin than an adult which means that their skin will burn more quickly.
An infant’s skin is thinner and contains more water than an adult. Also the top layer of an infant’s skin called the epidermis doesn’t bond as tightly to the layer below called the dermis. So unlike adult skin that has a tight seal between these layers, an infant’s skin is easier to pass. This is significant when also coupled with the fact that infants lack fully developed detoxification systems.
Babies and infants should be kept out of direct sun exposure but if you need to use a sunscreen choose a sunscreen for sensitive skin with a physical active like zinc that is dispersed in a natural lotion. Read the product label carefully to check if it is hypoallergenic and free from potential irritants such as fragrance, parabens, phthalates, and artificial colours.
When it comes to safeguarding your baby's skin from the sun's harmful rays, your number one defence is to keep baby out of direct sunlight during the hottest part of the day. Cover exposed skin with appropriate clothing, sunhat and eyewear and babies under 3 months should avoid direct sun exposure. Look for mineral-based, broad-spectrum protection with a suitable SPF level. Prioritise products formulated for sensitive skin. By being sun smart and making an informed choice, you can ensure your little one enjoys the great outdoors safely and comfortably.
When choosing a natural sunscreen for yourself the same guidelines apply. Choose a product that is fully transparent, that lets you know exactly what you are putting on your skin. If you have extra sensitive or very dry skin, a sunscreen that is deeply nourishing with a high level of natural oils will help soothe and hydrate the skin. Natural options are also available for people who prefer a matt finish.
Our skin is the largest organ, so being mindful about what goes on your skin when you are breastfeeding and parenting small children is incredibly important. It is also important for a baby to have only natural and gentle products contacting their skin, as they are not able to detoxify well and their newborn skin is very sensitive.
Your body will absorb certain ingredients from the skincare and some of these can travel into the breastmilk, placing an extra load of work for your baby’s immature detoxification systems (liver and kidneys).
When it comes to yours and your baby’s skincare you'll want to avoid ingredients such as dehydrating alcohols, sulfates, petrochemicals, parabens, caustics, glycols, artificial fragrances and preservatives.
Look for organic ingredients, hydrating factors such as aloe vera, and soothing properties from ingredients like oats, which have been shown to be soothing and healing for skin irritated by eczema, psoriasis and rosacea. Vitamin E and natural oils like hemp and flaxseed also have wonderfully nourishing properties for the skin.
All Wotnot Naturals Baby Skincare products are 100% natural with aloe vera as it's main ingredient and contains 2% colloidal oatmeal. Shop Now.
Contributor: Joelleen Winduss Paye, founder of JWP. Joelleen is a holistic lactation consultant, midwife, and naturopath.
