The summer months are a perfect time to indulge in outdoor play with your toddler, go for picnics, visit the beach, and frolic. You can also arrange for a pool party in your backyard, where kids can play water games with their peers and have the best time of their lives. But amid all the summer fun, don’t forget to pay special attention to your infant’s skin, and protect them against exposure to UVA and UVB rays.
Extended sun exposure can cause sunburns and irritation on your child’s skin, and sometimes even rashes, which can be uncomfortable for your little one. Therefore, to keep your munchkin’s skin protected, you must follow all the sun safety rules and use the best infant sunscreen made with chemical-free and natural ingredients to reduce the possibility of skin complications.
Why Is Sun Protection For Kids Important?
The sun emits invisible rays, called ultraviolet rays (UV rays), that pose the risk of causing irreversible damage to your eyes and skin. These UV rays are further categorised into UVA and UVB rays, and while UVA rays help in the absorption of vitamin D in the body, prolonged exposure to these radiations can cause skin concerns like rashes, tan, and inflammation in your child’s skin.
Additionally, when your kids spend a lot of time under the sun, their bodies fail to produce a dark pigment called melanin (which protects the skin against the sun rays naturally), leading to an inflammatory reaction known as sunburns. Sunburn usually occurs in the skin’s outermost layer and can be quite painful and uncomfortable. That’s why you need to arm yourself with the best infant sunscreen that provides full-proof protection to your child’s skin and keeps it moisturised and healthy.
How To Choose The Best Sunscreen For Kids?
Choosing the best sunscreen for your kid may not be an easy task, especially with all the options available today. To make things easier for you, we have compiled a set of points that you should consider before buying one:
- It is crucial to opt for a sunscreen with an SPF of 30 or higher and PA +++ technology as children’s skin is more vulnerable to burning.
- Always pick a sunscreen that is labelled as mineral-based, as all other formulations contain harmful chemicals that may not be suitable for your child’s delicate skin.
- Apart from being an effective sun-protectant, make sure the sunscreen you choose is lightweight, non-sticky, and deeply moisturising.
- Make sure the sunscreen is water-resistant. This is because your child may spend a lot of time in pools or water bodies during the summer months and that shouldn’t compromise essential sun protection. Also, ensure that the SPF is sweat-proof to avoid constant re-application.
- Opt for a sunscreen that has “broad spectrum” mentioned on its cover. This is essential because a broad spectrum sunscreen provides coverage against both UVA and UVB rays.
- Also, it’s always a good idea to pick a sunscreen that is free from parabens, sulphates, phthalates, and other chemicals as they may irritate your child’s skin.
What Ingredients Should You Look For In An Infant Sunscreen?
When it comes to the ingredients of sunscreen, you should always opt for natural and plant-based actives, which provide gentle care to your child’s skin. One of the best infant sunscreens to opt for is the Moisturising Natural Baby Sunscreen from BabyChakra with a 100% natural formulation and non-nano technology which provides effective care to your child’s skin.
It contains skin-friendly ingredients, such as:
- Zinc oxide: A mild compound that soothes and moisturises dry and irritated skin and offers effective protection against UV rays.
- Titanium dioxide: A natural mineral that shields the sun against sun radiation and provides broad-spectrum protection against UVA and UVB rays.
- Organic carrot seed oil: A powerful antioxidant that protects your child’s skin against free radical damage.
- Organic almond oil: A rich source of vitamin E that hydrates and rejuvenates the skin during and after sun exposure.
- Chamomile oil: Another powerful antioxidant that heals the skin and protects against sun damage.
- Organic rosehip oil: A rich source of vitamins A, C, and E that combats visible signs of skin damage and protects against sunburns.
- Radish root extract: Acts as an anti-inflammatory agent that soothes and heals sunburns and rashes.
How To Use Sunscreen For Kids?
Applying sunscreen before stepping outdoors should be a simple step incorporated into your child’s daily skincare routine. Here’s a breakdown of how to correctly apply SPF on your child’s skin to ensure maximum protection.
- Take a dollop of sunscreen on your palms and apply it all over your child’s face and body.
- Be gentle as you rub it on their skin, especially while applying it to their face. Ensure that the product doesn’t get into their eyes.
- Wait for at least 15-20 minutes before stepping outdoors or applying any kind of moisturiser over the product.
- Once the sunscreen has absorbed into your child’s skin, you can top it up with an item of clothing to provide an extra layer of protection.
Safety Tips To Use In Mind While Using Sunscreen For Kids
We have listed a few tips that you should keep in mind while using sunscreen for kids.
- If your child has sensitive skin, then conduct a patch test to determine the possibility of any allergic reactions.
- Avoid physical sunscreens as they may contain harmful ingredients that may harm your child’s delicate skin.
- Do not use sunscreen if your child is younger than 6 months.
- Be sure to reapply the sunscreen every two hours for maximum protection.
It is crucial to protect your little one’s skin from the harmful effects of the sun and prevent skin concerns like sunburns and rashes. Hence, you must get your hands on the best infant sunscreen that offers broad spectrum protection against UV rays and contains natural ingredients to hydrate and protect their skin.
Also read:
Sunscreen for babies and tips to choose the right one: When can your munchkin wear sunscreen? This post has got all the answers and tips you need to know before buying one.
Sun safety and protection tips for kids: We have listed essential sun safety and protection tips for kids to ensure full-proof protection against skin damage caused by UV rays.
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