Are your children wearing a daily facial sunscreen? While they might be prone to squirming away from anything on their face, it’s super important to get them into the routine from a young age of wearing SPF. Keep reading to understand why it’s so important and our favourite face sunscreens for kids.
How to choose a kids sunscreen?
Kids can be fairly sensitive when it comes to products on their face. Anything from the smell to the texture can cause revolt as we’re sure you’ve experienced firsthand. So it begs the question, just how exactly do you choose a sunscreen that your kids will love but one that also offers great protection? When it comes to kids sunscreen, these are the top things to consider:
- Go fragrance-free: Play it safe and just buy products without an added fragrance. Children can be particularly sensitive to things that smell ‘weird’ on their face.
- SPF30 or above: Always apply at least an SPF30 sunscreen as a minimum, but SPF50+ where possible
- Use a specific facial sunscreen: Don’t apply a thicker body sunscreen to their faces. Opt for something designed for the face and you’ll find they appreciate the texture and there’s generally less complaining.
- Water-resistant: If you’re spending the day at the beach or the pool, choose water-resistant. Don’t forget to still reapply after a swim though!
Can I use body sunscreen on my kid’s face?
The short answer is technical yes. The longer answer is it’s much better to use a face sunscreen on the face. This is because face sunscreens are specifically designed to be worn on delicate facial skin. You’ll notice the texture is a lot less thick than body sunscreens which means it will not only feel nicer on their face but it’ll also prevent blocking their pores and causing breakouts. Another benefit is for kids with sensitive skin. Choosing a facial sunscreen designed for this kind of skin will mean less reactions, redness and more comfort when wearing a daily face SPF.
When to apply kids sunscreen?
Sunscreen should be reapplied every 2 hours, but pay particular attention to this if you’re outside or swimming. We recommend applying face sunscreen every day regardless of the UV index and applying a body sunscreen to any exposed skin.
4 reasons kids need a daily face sunscreen
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Protect against UV rays
Let’s start with the most obvious reason – to protect against harmful UV rays! We recommend always using a broad spectrum facial sunscreen as this will provide protection against both UVA and UVB rays. The consequences of being exposed to UV rays can ultimately lead to skin cancer later in life and sunscreen is just one way you can help to stay safe in the sun.
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Starts a lifelong habit of wearing sunscreen
Set your children up with good habits from a young age. Getting your child in the routine of applying face sunscreen every morning will mean it becomes a habit they’ll keep forever. The face is most exposed to the sun on a daily basis so it’s really important to keep this delicate skin protected with an SPF30 or higher sunscreen, as well as encourage them to wear a hat and stay in the shade.
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Prevent breakouts
Body sunscreen tends to be thick and can often lead to clogged pores and you guessed it- breakouts. Whilst this might not be a big concern for small children, it will certainly become more of a problem for children when they start going through puberty and their skin becomes oilier. If your kids think that sunscreen is causing them to breakout, they might even refuse to wear it. Choosing a facial sunscreen over a body suncream is ideal because it is lighter in texture and designed to be worn specifically on the face, leading to less breakouts. You can even choose mattifying formulas that help keep excess oil at bay when your children’s skin starts changing.
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Keep skin looking youthful for years to come
Whilst anti-ageing isn’t an immediate concern for your kids, it will be in years to come. Did you know that the sun is actually the biggest cause of premature aging like fine lines and wrinkles? The damage UV light does to your skin now shows up years later in the form of pesky lines and wrinkles. Keep their face looking youthful for longer by applying daily face sunscreen.
Inspired to shop for your children’s new sunscreen? Make sure to reapply regularly and follow other sun safety precautions like wearing a broad-brimmed hat, sunglasses, and protective clothing.