Does more expensive sunscreen equal better quality? Is it best to buy a kid-specific brand for the little ones? And what’s the minimum SPF you need? We chat with the experts to get the good oil on family sunscreens. By Sonia Speedy.
Few things make a parent feel worse than realising their child’s precious skin has been sunburnt. But balancing price and quality can be an issue when you need to lather it on the whole family every day.
However, Louise Reiche of the NZ Dermatological Society Inc (NZDSI) reassures us that the cost of sunscreen doesn’t reflect its quality. So you don’t necessarily have to spend a fortune to get a good product.
Belinda Castles, research writer at Consumer NZ, says all sunscreens sold in New Zealand are now regulated under the Sunscreen (Product Safety Standard) Act and must meet the Australian and New Zealand sunscreen standard, which requires independent testing.
“For the best protection, it’s important sunscreen is applied early, often, and you apply plenty of it,” she says.
Consumer NZ has developed a sunscreen database to help you decide which sunscreens offer the best value and what year a sunscreen was last tested to ensure it’s meeting the required standards.
Dr Reiche advises choosing a broad spectrum SPF50+ sunscreen and reminds us that sunscreen is only part of the picture – avoiding the sun at peak times, covering up with UPF50/50+ clothing, and wearing a broad-brimmed hat and wrap-around UV protective sunglasses are essential, too.
“The same principles apply to all ages, but in the first six weeks of life when the skin is not yet mature, we recommend sun avoidance/clothing/shade as the preferred protection methods,” she says.
Dr Reiche says babies under six months can wear sunscreen, but covering up is still better.
How do I choose the right sunscreen for my kids?
Belinda Castles says it’s a myth that you need a child-specific sunscreen for the kids. Sunscreens specially formulated for children have a mild base for sensitive skin, which can be beneficial, but there’s no reason they shouldn’t use the family sunscreen if it doesn’t irritate them.
“Infants have a thin, less-developed skin barrier and are more likely to be irritated by ingredients,” she says, which is why sunscreens for sensitive skins can be better suited.
Expert tips for choosing and using a family sunscreen
- Go for unscented – they’re less likely to create a reaction, which is particularly important for kids.
- Check that the sunscreen meets the Australian and NZ Safety Standards
- Use SPF50 and put it on for at least 20 minutes before you go outside so the skin can absorb it.
- Reapply every two hours, or if you or the kids have been sweating or in the water. Do this regardless of the SPF level of the sunscreen.
- When using a new sunscreen, test a pea-sized amount on a small area of skin first.
- Ensure you keep the sunscreen somewhere cool and dry, and bin it when it expires.
- Avoid using spray sunscreen indoors as it can harm the lungs.
Castles notes that no sunscreen blocks 100 percent of UV rays, and doubling the SPF doesn’t double the protection. A SPF50 sunscreen blocks 98 percent of UV rays, SPF30 blocks 97 percent, and SPF15 blocks 93 percent.
When do we need to be extra careful?
It’s the UV (Ultraviolet) radiation produced by the sun that causes sunburn, eye damage, and premature aging and is the leading cause of skin cancer.
The higher the UV index number, the greater the risk. Consumer NZ suggests monitoring UV levels using the free UVNZ or UV2day apps or checking out the Cancer Society’s Sun Protection Alert.
Plunket New Zealand’s guidance is that you can go without sun protection when the UV Index is 1 or 2. Three and higher, and it’s time to slip, slop, slap, and wrap. Remember that the UV Index number can reach 15 in an NZ summer.
Daylight savings months are risky, especially between 10 am and 4 pm. And remember, it doesn’t have to be a bright sunny day to get burnt – a cloudy day can do it too. Even if you’re under cover, reflected UV rays from concrete, water, sand, and even the inside of an umbrella can still burn the skin.
But don’t kids need vitamin D from the sun?
Dr Reiche says that international studies show regular outdoor exercise is associated with the best vitamin D levels, which aren’t reduced in people who apply regular sunscreen. She also adds that there is growing evidence that ensuring you get 10 serves of whole fruit and veges a day helps the body repair some ultraviolet damage.
What do I do if my child does get sunburnt?
Plunket NZ offers these solutions:
- A lukewarm bath may help to soothe their skin.
- Paracetamol might provide some pain relief for severe cases. Make sure to give the correct dose for your child’s age.
- Sunburn can cause dehydration, so give your child water to replace body fluids.
- If your baby is less than one year old, take them to the doctor to be checked out.
- If your pēpi is older than one, call your doctor if they’re in severe pain, blistering, feverish, or lethargic.
- Keep them out of the sun entirely until the sunburn heals.
Read more: Does your child need a skincare regime? >>
