Protecting your child's skin from the sun is important, and while the best advice is to stick to the shade and cover up - especially in babies under six months - it's always important to remember sun cream.
Choosing the right sun cream
With lots of options to choose from, it can feel like there’s a lot to think about when it comes to choosing the right sunscreen but what exactly should you be looking for on the label?
Dr Jennifer Crawley is a leading paediatric dermatologist and consultant for Childs Farm. She says:
"Firstly, you want a sunscreen which has broad-spectrum protection, which is where the sunscreen provides protection against both UVA and UVB rays, and this is the type of sunscreen you should be buying.
"There are two types of ray: UVA rays, which damage the tissue that provides her skin with elasticity and contribute to skin ageing; and UVB rays, which don’t penetrate as deeply, but can damage a cell’s DNA and cause it to become cancerous.
"SPF is the ‘sun protection factor’, and it’s important to choose a sunscreen with a high SPF to ensure a good level of protection. The best suncream to purchase is one which has an SPF of at least 30."
You also want to look for a five-star UV rating in conjunction with a high SPF, as this means it will absorb a high percentage of both UVA and UVB rays.
Here are the best sun creams for kids you can buy today:
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The best kids' sun cream
1 of 12Childs Farm SPF 50+ Sun Cream
Childs Farm products are all designed to take extra care of your little one's skin, and this sun cream with SPF 50+ gives great protection from the sun's powerful rays. It's easy to apply and smells lovely (like all Childs Farm products do); it's suitable from six months.
£32.80
2 of 12Banana Boat Mini Kids Sun Cream Protection SPF 50
With an SPF of 50, this little tube is a great one to have in the baby bag when out and about. It's suitable for the whole family, while being hypoallergenic, water-resistant and fragrance-free, meaning it's suitable for babies too. Unlike some other sunscreens on this list, this one is more of a milky consistency, meaning it's not as thick and sticky on the skin – a good choice if you've got a fussy toddler who hates having it applied.
3 of 12Green People Children's Sun Lotion SPF 30
Green People's Children's Lotion is the best option if your little one has sensitive skin or eczema. This is a totally organic product and offers 97% of UVB protection.
4 of 12Bepanthen Baby Sun Cream SPF 50+
It's small enough to fit in your baby bag and has a high enough protection to ease any worries that your little ones might be getting burnt. It's been developed with extra sensitive skin in mind and is water resistant. It's thick and creamy when applied.
5 of 12Garnier Ambre Solaire Sensitive Anti-Sand Kids Sun Cream Spray SPF50
This clever sand-resistant formula is non-sticky and easily absorbed to avoid that sticky feeling. It's water resistant and has a high SPF factor. It's also a great choice for fussy babies, as it's quick and easy to apply with the continuous, any-angle spray. It's also a good one for school-aged children to apply to themselves thanks to the mist spray application.
6 of 12Incognito Skin Children's Suncream and Insect Repellent
This is a product with a triple action working as sun cream, insect repellent, and moisturiser. It was launched in 2017 bringing a natural and organic formula. In addition, this sun care product is incredibly hydrating.
7 of 12Nivea Sun Baby Sun Cream 50+ Moisturising Lotion
Suitable for babies from three months, this protective sunscreen has an SPF protection of 50+ and a UVA protection of four stars. The sunscreen is easy to rub in and absorb and washes off your child's skin easily. It doesn't feel overly greasy on the skin, which is good for fussy ones who hate the feel of sunscreen.
8 of 12Evy Technology Baby Sunscreen Mousse SPF 50
This is another good product if your concern is long lasting, high-protection for sensitive skin.
9 of 12SunSense Kids Sun Cream Roll on with SPF50
When your kids are school age, it's a good idea to send them to school with a sunscreen they can re-apply at lunchtime. Most will find a roll-on easier to apply on their own and this SPF 50 stick from SunSense is easily absorbed, pediatrician-tested and extra water resistant.
£16.99
10 of 12Soltan Suncare Kids and Baby Sun Cream Spray Anti-Sand Protection SPF 50+
When applying sun cream on kids, one big issue is its stickiness and residue. This is a quick-drying sun care product that will keep the mess away from your baby.
11 of 12Riemann P20 Sun Cream For Kids SPF50+
A once-a-day sunscreen, P20 has a four star UVA protection and factor 50 SPF. Protecting for up to 10 hours, it's a good choice for school-aged children, or kids who hate having sunscreen put on. Bear in mind it will last just three hours in the water. Fragrance free, it's got more of an oily texture than most of the creams on this list, and it's very quick and easy to apply with a handy pump. It can stain, however, as it is a yellowish colour, so avoid dressing your little one in white clothing after applying.
£12.72
- Rrp: £19.99
12 of 12UltraSun SPF50 Extreme Children's Sun Lotion Once a Day
UltraSun's Extreme lotion only requires one application in the morning, although reapplication is recommended for complete protection. A good option for kids who hate having sunscreen applied, it's got a thick consistency and an easy-to-use pump dispenser. It can take a while to rub into the skin, but it's worth it for the long protection.
Expert advice
"UVA rays damage the tissue that provides skin with elasticity, and contributes to skin ageing, while UVB rays don’t penetrate as deeply, but can damage a cell’s DNA and cause it to become cancerous," continues Dr Crawley.
"SPF, or Sun Protection Factor, measures the amount of UVB protection the sunscreen offers. "It’s important to choose a sunscreen with a high SPF – at least 30 – to ensure a good level of protection. I’d recommend involving your child in the application process so it becomes a fun task that you do together, rather than a dreaded battle."
Why is sun cream important for babies?
A baby’s skin has hardly any melanin, which is the pigment that helps protect from the sun’s rays, so if your little one is in direct sunlight, keep them covered so the rays don’t hit the skin directly.
Older babies and toddlers can enjoy playing in the sun if they are protected with a high-factor sunscreen.
If your child has particularly sensitive or eczema-prone skin, make sure you are using a product that has been clinically tested as suitable for this skin type or use a product that is dermatologist and paediatrician approved.
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