Big Kids

Best Sunscreen For Kids With Eczema – Buyer’s Guide

There is the best sunscreen for kids with eczema that will protect them when playing outdoors even in the scorching heat of the sun. Buying the best one can be a tough decision because there are many brands available in the market. Every parent must know how to protect their kids’ skin from the sun. Though the sun is the most powerful source of vitamin D it has many risks which are harmful to your child.

Direct contact with the sun can cause early aging signs, wrinkles in the skin, cancers, eye damage, and even more health problems. Outdoor activities are good for the kids but we should consider different factors before letting our kids go outside. Listed below are the things that you should keep in mind before buying the best sunscreen for your kids with eczema.

Things to Consider Before Buying Sunscreen

Type of Formula

Sunscreens can be the water-based formula and silicone-based formula.

Water-Based Sunscreen

If you have kids with eczema, then it is advisable to use sunscreen that contains water. Water-based sunscreen is gentle and soothing to the skin. It is lightweight and non-greasy. Water-based formulas offer long-lasting protection to the eyes.

The water-based formulas prevent sand & dust from getting into sensitive eyes. Most of these formulas in sunscreens are not tear-free. So it is advisable to use baby sunglasses or a visor when playing outdoor sports.

Silicone-Based Sunscreen

If you prefer sunscreen with a matte finish, then consider using silicone-based formula. Silicones are good for oily skin types of people. The Silicone-based Sunscreens are best for kids having eczema. They don’t come in contact with skin so there is no chance of irritation.

Ingredients in the Formula

The type of ingredients in the formula will determine how effective it is to protect your baby’s skin.

Zinc Oxide and Titanium Dioxide

Children with eczema should be cautious while buying sunscreen because they can break out in a rash. If the label says “mineral” or “natural,” that means it contains zinc oxide or titanium dioxide, which is a safe ingredient for all skin types.

Sunscreen should contain at least 10% of both zinc oxide and titanium dioxide because it provides superior protection from UVA and UVB rays and does not irritate sensitive skin.

Octinoxate & Avobenzone Octinoxate

The Octinoxate & Avobenzone Octinoxate penetrates your kid’s skin to absorb UV rays so you must avoid using chemical ingredients if your child has eczema. On the other hand, avobenzone protects against UVA rays. Avobenzone is known to cause irritation in sensitive skin types, so if you have a child with eczema then avoid avobenzone.

Sensitivity of Kids’ Skin

Sunscreens contain chemicals that may cause irritation, dryness, and even redness on your baby’s sensitive skin. Therefore it is important to look for a formula that will not clog pores and is non-allergenic which contains ingredients like titanium dioxide or zinc oxide.

SPF Levels

SPF Levels should be considered. You should always look for a sunscreen with a minimum SPF of 15 and higher if you want to get the most protection. However, we don’t recommend buying any products with more than 50 SPF because these are not more effective than products with lower levels. Higher SPF levels offer only an extra margin of increased protection and do not provide significant benefits which can be the best sunscreen for kids with eczema.

Pediatrics recommends using SPF 30+ because it protects from 98 percent of UVB rays, any sunscreen with an SPF level equal to or greater than 15 should be sufficient enough to protect your baby’s skin against harmful sun exposure which can be the best sunscreen for kids with eczema.

Kids’ Age and Activity Level

The recommended SPF levels are 15 for infants under six months old and 30+ for older children with high activity levels. If your child doesn’t spend much time outdoors then using SPF 30 is enough. However, if they are constantly playing outside you should consider using a higher SPF level.

There are now lotions that contain SPF and these can be used daily without leaving a white residue behind. They also provide maximum protection so you don’t really need to buy two different sunblocks or reapply them after every few hours which can be the best sunscreen for kids with eczema.

Expiration Date

Kids’ skin is very delicate and sensitive to certain chemicals which can cause dryness, irritation, or other signs of allergy. The best way to figure out if the product will not harm your baby’s skin is by looking at the expiration date.

You should only buy sunscreens that are free of these chemicals and do not expire for at least a year after you buy them. A sunscreen can last up to three years in its original packaging but once opened, it should be used within 12 months.

Amount to Apply

Most people underestimate how much sunscreen should be applied before going out in the sun. To get the best result you should apply 1 oz (30 ml) on your kid’s body and reapply every 2 hours. If your kid goes swimming or exercises, then re-apply sunscreen every 40-80 min depending upon swimming time.

Applying to Face

Sunlight is harmful to the whole body but it can be particularly dangerous for a kid’s face. Their delicate skin is more vulnerable to sun damage. You may also use mineral powder sunscreen for kids having eczema, contact dermatitis, or rosacea. They create a physical barrier between skin and sunlight which makes them the best suitable sunscreen for sensitive skin.

Final Thoughts

So these are factors that you should take into consideration when buying sunscreen for your kid. You should also know that most sunscreen ingredients are safe to use. So you don’t have to worry about applying sunscreen to your child’s skin.

However, there are a few factors that will help you choose the best one for your kid. So if you follow these factors whenever you buy a new sunscreen, your kid’s skin won’t suffer from sunburn again.

FamilyWise