Children's skin burns 3–5× faster than adults': the outer layer is thinner, melanin is lower. Yet sunburns in childhood double the risk of melanoma later. So children's SPF isn't optional — it's essential protection.
From What Age SPF Is Allowed
- Under 6 months — sunscreen is not used at all: only shade, lightweight covering clothes and a hat. Skin is too thin and permeable;
- from 6 months — SPF allowed, but only with mineral (physical) filters;
- from 3 years — children's formulas with mineral filters; adult products only from teenage years.
What SPF to Choose for a Child
| Parameter | What to Look for |
|---|---|
| SPF | 50 or 50+ (don't go lower for kids) |
| Filters | mineral: Zinc Oxide, Titanium Dioxide |
| UVA protection | circled UVA logo or PA+++ / PA++++ |
| Water resistance | Water Resistant — essential for beach |
| Composition | fragrance-free, alcohol-free, no oxybenzone |
How to Apply Children's SPF
- 15–20 minutes before going out;
- dose: roughly a teaspoon per arm, leg, face and back;
- reapply every 2 hours and after every swim or towel dry;
- don't forget ears, nose, shoulders and tops of feet — they burn first.
SPF Is Only Part of the Protection
- Wide-brim hat — a baseball cap doesn't cover neck and ears;
- sunglasses with UV400 — kids' lenses must have full UV protection;
- UPF 40–50 clothing or dense fabric: wet white t-shirt is only ~UPF 5;
- shade from 11:00 to 16:00 — in these hours children's SPF works at its limit.
Check the Index Before the Walk
At UV 0–2 go without SPF. At 3–5 — SPF 50 is mandatory. At 6+ — move walks to morning and evening. Current index for your city — on the home page; for resorts see Barcelona, Phuket, Miami.
Bottom Line
The formula is simple: under 6 months — shade and clothes; from 6 months — mineral SPF 50+ plus a hat and UV400 glasses. And always check the UV index: below 3, children's SPF is not needed at all.