Kids’ Summer Skin Care: 7 Tips for Parents & Caregivers

Riding bikes, swimming, camping, hiking, exploring… a sunny day beckons kids outdoors for healthy activities. Being active outdoors sure beats sitting in front of a computer or phone for hours on end. But for a variety of reasons, sun exposure poses special risks for babies, toddlers, grade-schoolers and teenagers. Here’s what you need to know to let your young ones have fun this summer — and everything you need to keep them safe.

From newborns to young adults, children have super-sensitive skin that is easily damaged by ultraviolet (UV) exposure. Even when it’s cloudy or overcast, the sun’s radiation can result in:

•    Sunburn
•    Heat exhaustion 
•    Heat stroke
•    Skin cancer
•    Cataracts and other eye diseases

Just one case of blistering sunburn during childhood can double the chance they will develop skin cancer as an adult. And though sunburn is the most obvious danger, it isn’t the only hazard. With increased incidents of extreme weather, including higher temperatures and greater humidity, cases of heat exhaustion and heat stroke are on the rise. Your next line of defense against sunburn and other summer threats is PREVENTION. 

Prevention begins with awareness of the dangers. Once you recognize the hazards, you can begin to help your child by explaining the importance of protecting themselves. By educating your child at an early age, providing them with the proper “safety tools” needed, and making it as fun as possible, they’ll be more likely to make their summer skin care a lifelong healthy habit. 

Ideally, your child should avoid being in direct sun between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m., when the sun’s intensity and damaging UV rays are at their peak. If indoor activities during these hours are not possible, encourage play in a shaded area, under a tree, tent, or umbrella.

There are two main types of sunscreen: mineral sunscreens and chemical sunscreens. They both provide protection from the sun’s UV rays, and, despite their names, they both contain chemicals. 

Mineral sunscreens use zinc oxide or titanium dioxide (or both) to act as a barrier by sitting atop the skin; they physically block UV rays from reaching the skin. Chemical sunscreens are absorbed into the skin and then filter out UV rays. These sunscreens use a variety of ingredients, such as oxybenzone and octinoxate. Some sunscreens use both chemical and mineral ingredients. 

Mineral sunscreens are considered the best choice for kids, especially for babies* and young children, as their skin is especially sensitive, and mineral sunscreens are usually less irritating than chemical sunscreens. Choose a waterproof sunscreen that offers at least SPF30 protection from both UVA and UVB rays. 

Older children and teens may balk at “the look” of mineral sunscreen. For youths who are unwilling to apply mineral protection, use a chemical sunscreen, or a mixture of both mineral and chemical sunscreens. The best sunscreen for your socially sensitive child is the one they will apply! Remember, any sunscreen is better than none.

We offer an extensive variety of mineral sunscreens for children of all ages, as well mineral-chemical combinations and chemical sunscreens.

When using a sunscreen for the first time, test a small area on your child to see if it will cause a rash. If all remains clear, apply on all exposed areas of the body, except for the eyelids.

Don’t skimp on the sunscreen! For best protection, apply 30 minutes before going outdoors. Pay extra attention to areas where children tend to burn: cheeks, nose, ears, shoulders, chin — yes, even the tops of their feet and behind the knees. Don’t forget to also apply an SPF15 lip balm. 

Be sure to use sunscreen on cloudy days, in the shade and even in winter, too. UV rays can penetrate through clouds and hazy skies, and they can reflect off the ground—off sand, water, concrete, snow, and other surfaces.

Whenever possible, dress your child in breathable, loose-fitting, light-colored cotton clothing. (Children’s clothing with SPF is becoming more widely available, but the cost can be prohibitive.) 

Start with a good hat. The best sun hats have a wide brim for added facial and head protection. A drawstring with toggle will help keep it in place on windy days or during more exuberant play. If your child prefers a baseball cap, slather on the sunscreen around exposed ears, nose, neck, etc… 

Children’s eyes are more susceptible to eye damage from the sun because their lenses don't block as much UV as adult lenses. Sunglasses with UV protection transform every youngster into a cool, burgeoning movie star… and help protect them from a host of sun-provoked eye problems later in life, including sunburned corneas, cancer of the eyelid, cataracts, and macular degeneration. 

Offer plenty of water and other hydrating liquids to children, even if they’re not thirsty. Toddlers and young children are especially prone to heat exhaustion, which can quickly escalate into life-threatening heat stroke. 

Older children and teenagers can become so absorbed in their activities that they may ignore or overlook the first symptoms of heat exhaustion. Be sure they understand the importance of staying hydrated. Check out our collection of colorful and BPA-free water bottles for children and teens. 

Know the signs of heat exhaustion: dizziness, nausea, weakness, headache or stomach cramps. Remember, your young ones may not know the words to clearly express their feelings. Immediately remove a child from the sun if they are experiencing any of these symptoms. Provide rest and plenty of fluids.

Considered a medical emergency, heat stroke is the most serious form of heat injury. Though it is often preceded by heat exhaustion, it is not always. Call 9-1-1 if you see any of these symptoms: 

•    Throbbing headache
•    Dizziness and light-headedness
•    Lack of sweating, despite the heat
•    Red, hot, and dry skin 
•    Muscle weakness or cramps 
•    Nausea and vomiting 
•    Rapid, shallow breathing and rapid heartbeat
•    Behavioral changes such as confusion, disorientation, or staggering
•    Seizures or fainting

Even when we do our best to protect our children, sometimes they get a bit too much sun. For an infant who gets sunburn, make sure to apply cool compresses to the affected area and contact your pediatrician for additional advice. If your child gets sunburn resulting in pain, blistering or fever, contact your pediatrician. 

Here are some general guidelines for treating your child’s mild sunburn:

•    A cool bath or shower can be soothing. If you are traveling, a cool, damp towel or cloth gently applied to the affected area throughout the day can offer relief. 

•    It’s always a good idea to have products containing aloe vera on hand. Naturally cooling, aloe vera lotions and gels can be very soothing to sunburned skin. 

•    Helpful home remedies include witch hazel and black or green tea, which contain tannins, a natural compound that can ease inflammation. Pour witch hazel or cooled tea on a clean cloth and apply to the sunburned areas. Oatmeal is another natural remedy that offers soothing relief. You can make a paste with ground-up rolled oats, water or milk, and a bit of honey; apply to the sunburned area. Or, create a sachet of ground oatmeal using a sock, cheesecloth, or spice bag, and let it steep in a tepid bathtub. Additionally, baking soda and corn starch may also relieve discomfort. Add baking soda to a lukewarm bathtub for a soothing soak. Afterward, lightly dust the sunburned skin with corn starch to help reduce friction between clothing and skin.

•    Avoid applying any product that contains petroleum, as it can trap heat inside the skin. Also avoid products that contain benzocaine or lidocaine; though touted as pain relievers, they can irritate sunburns.

•    Push the water! Anyone with a burn needs to drink more fluids than usual, so be sure your child always has something cool to drink nearby.

•    Finally, if there are blisters, that indicates a second-degree burn, which is more serious. Do NOT pop the blisters! Leave them alone and contact your pediatrician for additional advice.

Whether your child is heading to camp, the pool, or simply the backyard, help them enjoy a sun-safe summer. Stock up now on natural sunscreens, fun water bottles,  and soothing natural sunburn treatments, while supplies are still plentiful. 

*A Special Note Regarding Sun Safety for Babies

Keep babies under 6 months of age out of the direct sun and cover them with protective clothing. Babies have much thinner skin that older children and adults, making them especially vulnerable to harmful solar rays, heat, and humidity.  

Mineral-based sunscreen can be used for babies under 6 months of age on areas that can’t be covered, but your first line of defense for this age group should be clothing and a shaded refuge.