ALL YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT BABY SUNSCREEN

It’s tempting to use whatever sunscreen you have lying around the house for the entire family, including your baby. But when it comes to baby sun protection, there’s a good reason why some sunscreens are made specifically for the little ones. Besides babies being more vulnerable to sun damage and needing a specific level of protection, the ingredients in sunscreen for older children and adults can irritate a baby’s sensitive and delicate skin. Read on to learn all about baby sunscreen and discover what the best type is!

WHY DO BABIES NEED SPECIAL SUNSCREEN?

Babies have delicate skin that is far more vulnerable to sun damage than older children and adults. There are a few reasons for this extra sensitivity:

Lack of melanin. When babies are born, their skin doesn’t have enough melanin to protect against sun exposure. Melanin is the pigmentation that gives skin its colour, and it also offers a slight amount of natural protection against the sun’s harmful UV rays. Without enough melanin, babies need a higher degree of sun protection.

Slow regeneration process. In addition to lacking melanin, babies haven’t fully developed other protective mechanisms, including the skin’s regeneration process. So, if sun damage does occur, their bodies can’t regenerate skin cells like older kids and adults. And, it takes just one bad sunburn in childhood to double the chances of developing melanoma, the most serious type of skin cancer.

No direct sunlight. In general, experts advise limiting the amount of sun exposure in babies and children up to the age of 3. In fact, babies under 6 months shouldn’t have any direct sunlight at all, and those from 6 months to 1 year should have very little sun exposure. When exposed to the sun, babies and young children require more sun protection than older children and adults.

With all this in mind, babies require a different approach to sun protection. A proper sunscreen specifically designed for your baby’s vulnerable and sensitive skin will add the layer of protection they need.

WHAT KIND OF SUNSCREEN IS RECOMMENDED FOR BABIES?

Babies over 6 months can wear sunscreen, but it should be tailored to their delicate skin. Overall, sensitive baby sunscreens should be free of irritating fragrances and preservatives, and they should be dermatologically proven. NIVEA Sun Babies & Kids Sensitive Protect products fit that description, and they’re also extra water-resistant and suitable for eczema-prone skin.

Other things to consider when choosing baby sunscreen include the following:

Broad-spectrum: There are two types of UV rays: UVA and UVB. Both cause damage to the skin in different ways, so it’s important to choose a baby sunscreen that’s broad-spectrum, meaning it protects against both UVA and UVB rays.

Sun protection factor (SPF): You may already know what SPF is, and for babies, it’s important that their sunscreen has a high sun protection factor (SPF). SPF measures the amount of time your skin is protected before risking sunburn (but without considering the intensity of the sun and level of natural sun protection (melanin)). NIVEA Sun Babies & Kids Sensitive Protect SPF 50+ Spray is a great option for full protection since babies lack melanin and, therefore, need a higher SPF.

Eco-friendly: Your child’s skin is of the utmost importance, but nature is also close to our hearts. Therefore, all NIVEA Sun Babies & Kids products have an Ocean Respect formula that steers clear of ingredients known to harm our oceans and marine life: Oxybenzone, Octinoxate, Octocrylene, and liquid microplastics.

Easy application: Wriggly babies and children sometimes make it challenging to apply sunscreen! Use a cream, spray, or roll on that’s easy for you to apply so you can cover your little one’s entire face and body evenly. (One note on sprays: when applying to the face, spray the sunscreen onto your hands and apply to your child’s face).

WHEN CAN BABIES WEAR SUNSCREEN?

Although sun protection is so important to babies and their delicate skin, you should wait to use sunscreen until your little one is at least 6 months old. This isn’t because sunscreen is dangerous for them – your baby should simply stay out of the sun completely until their skin is ready for sun exposure of any kind. Therefore, you can think of baby sun protection in two stages: before 6 months and after.

BABIES UNDER 6 MONTHS

Instead of using sunscreen in babies under 6 months, it’s best to keep them out of the sun, especially direct sunlight. To protect their skin, dress your baby in light coloured and lightweight clothing and use UV-resistant sunshades in the car, on the carrier, and on the pram. There is one caveat to this rule: If your baby must be exposed to direct sunlight for a little bit, you can use a small amount of SPF 50+ baby sunscreen.

BABIES OLDER THAN 6 MONTHS

Once your baby hits 6 months they can be exposed to limited amounts of the sun. During any form of exposure ensure they are wearing baby-specific sunscreen with at least SPF 50. Try NIVEA Sun Babies & Sensitive Protect SPF 50+ Sun Spray.

WHEN DO BABIES NEED SUNSCREEN?

Does my baby need sunscreen in the shade? Can I apply sunscreen to my baby in the winter? Should I use baby sunscreen in the early morning? These are the types of questions parents ask themselves, as your child’s health and wellness are at the forefront of your mind.

Your baby needs sunscreen daily just like you do, regardless of the season or time of year. UVA and UVB rays act a bit differently, but UVA rays can cause sun damage all year round, at any time of the day. They penetrate deep into the skin, so although UVA rays don’t cause sunburn, they can cause premature ageing and skin cancer. You should protect your baby from the sun all year long and at all times of the day.

Although babies can wear sunscreen in small amounts, they shouldn’t wear it before 6 months. So, if you’re out and about with your newborn baby in the winter, it’s still important to keep them shaded. And for older babies and children, sunscreen is an essential part of their daily routine, regardless of the weather or temperature.

HOW TO APPLY SUNSCREEN ON BABIES

In theory, applying baby sunscreen is as straightforward as applying adult sunscreen – but you have a potentially wriggly baby to deal with! The goal is to apply sunscreen thoroughly and evenly to any exposed areas of the skin. To help you along the way, here are a few tips:

Focus on exposed skin: Spread a liberal amount of baby sunscreen in the areas where the skin is exposed. Typically, this will include the face, ears, neck, and the backs of the hands. But in the summer, you might need to cover more areas, including your little one’s arms, legs, and feet.

Get creative: Not all babies will sit still and let you apply sunscreen thoroughly! Sometimes, you might need to get a little creative and make a game out of it. Or, try a different application approach, such as NIVEA Sun Babies & Kids Sensitive Protect SPF 50+ Roll On, which makes application a lot easier for you and fun for your child!

Have fun: Thanks to NIVEA Sun’s immediate protection formulas, no waiting is necessary!

HOW OFTEN DO YOU NEED TO APPLY SUNSCREEN TO YOUR BABY?

Because the sunscreen’s protection gradually fades through normal activity (like sweating, rubbing, etc.), it’s important to reapply at least every two hours. If your little one is swimming or playing in the water, reapply more often, especially after they leave the water and their skin starts to dry. It’s helpful to know that reapplying sunscreen doesn’t enhance its protection; rather, it simply maintains the existing protection, which is why you’ll need to reapply often.

HOW TO REMOVE BABY SUNSCREEN

Baby sunscreen that’s dermatologically proven is safe for your little one, so there’s no harm in letting it sit on your child’s skin for the day. Upon returning home, you can bathe your baby as usual, either using a damp cloth to wipe their skin, with a sponge bath, or in an infant tub.

FAQS ABOUT SUNSCREEN AND SUN PROTECTION FOR BABIES

AT WHAT AGE CAN BABIES WEAR SUNSCREEN?

It’s recommended to wait until your baby is 6 months or older to apply sunscreen on them. However, younger babies can wear a small amount of sunscreen when you absolutely can’t shade them from the sun.

HOW OLD DOES A BABY NEED TO BE BEFORE WEARING SUNSCREEN?

Babies under 6 months should stay out of the sun completely. Babies older than 6 months can enjoy some sun exposure while wearing baby sunscreen.

CAN A NEWBORN BABY WEAR SUNSCREEN?

It’s not advised to apply sunscreen on newborn babies. A newborn’s sensitive skin shouldn’t be exposed to any sunlight, as it’s more vulnerable to sun damage. Instead, wait until your baby is at least 6 months before allowing them to be exposed to sunlight, and then they can wear baby-specific sunscreen.

CAN BABIES WEAR SUNSCREEN AT 3 MONTHS OR 4 MONTHS?

In situations where you absolutely can’t shade your child from the sun, babies of 3 or 4 months can wear a small amount of sunscreen. However, it’s best to wait until your baby is at least 6 months before exposing them to sunlight, as their skin is more sensitive.

DOES BABY SUNSCREEN EXPIRE?

Yes, just like any other sunscreen or personal care product, baby sunscreen expires. Check the packaging to find the expiration date. In general, NIVEA SUN products are good for three years after production and 12 months after opening.

WHEN TO STOP USING BABY SUNSCREEN?

NIVEA skin experts recommend using kids’ sunscreen once your child reaches 3 years. Before then, but after 6 months old, it’s best to use baby-specific sunscreen.

HOW TO CHOOSE A GOOD BABY SUNSCREEN?

Baby sunscreen is proven not to irritate your child’s skin, so look for a broad-spectrum, baby-specific sunscreen with at least SPF 50. Bonus if it’s water-resistant and doesn’t contain environmentally harmful ingredients like Oxybenzone, Octinoxate, Octocrylene, and liquid microplastics.

IS BABY SUNSCREEN SAFE?

Yes, baby sunscreen that’s dermatologically proven is safe and made specifically for babies’ delicate, sensitive, and vulnerable skin. It’s proven not to irritate your child’s skin while giving your little one all the protection they need from the sun.

WHAT BABY SUNSCREEN IS BEST?

The best baby sunscreen is one that’s dermatologically proven, broad-spectrum, easy to apply, water-resistant, ocean-friendly, and has at least SPF 50.

CONCLUSION: BABY SUNSCREEN

Baby sunscreen is a necessary part of your little one’s daily routine – at least once they reach 6 months. If you can, it’s best to completely avoid any sun exposure for babies under 6 months, but older babies can enjoy limited sunlight and wear sunscreen.

What baby sunscreen is best? Look for baby-specific sunscreens that are dermatologically proven. These are typically broad-spectrum and water-resistant with a higher SPF. Bonus if they’re ocean-friendly and suitable for eczema-prone skin like NIVEA Sun Babies & Kids Sensitive Protect products! What to avoid in baby sunscreen includes any fragrances or preservatives that could irritate sensitive skin.

Applying baby sunscreen is simple in theory but can be a challenge with a wriggly baby! The end goal is to apply a layer of sunscreen to all exposed skin thoroughly and evenly. Try NIVEA Sun Babies & Kids Sensitive Protect SPF 50+ Roll On for an easier application method.

All in all, baby sunscreen is made specifically for babies because they need added sun protection that’s gentle on their skin. Keep your baby safe and shaded until their skin is ready to enjoy the sunshine safely!