What Is the Difference Between Baby & Kid Suntan Lotion?

If you're buying sunscreen for your baby, toddler or older child, you might be confused when searching for the right product. The truth is, most sunscreens are pretty similar, but there are a few minor differences you need to be aware of before you hit the pool with your little one.

Sunscreen and Tanning Lotion

• Though it's commonly called 'suntan' lotion or just 'tanning lotion', there is no such thing for children. Depending on skin type, the skin will either darken or brown when exposed to the sun's ultraviolet rays, or it will turn red. This effect is actually harmful to the skin, and tanning lotion or oil can cause even greater damage. Sunscreen helps to prevent this damage by creating a barrier between the sun's ultraviolet rays and the skin, when properly applied. It is the only type of lotion that should be applied to a child's skin when exposed to the sun.

SPF: Skin Protectant Factor

• SPF is the number applied to sunscreens to designate how effectively they protect skin from the sun's radiation. Generally, the higher the number, the better, and possibly longer, the protection. But many factors exist when measuring the effectiveness of sunscreen: how much is applied, how often, the user's skin type, and the amount that is actually absorbed into the skin. Some preparations may be waterproof, and some may need to be re-applied often if the user gets wet.

Health Risks of Sun Exposure

• Though children must have a certain amount of sun exposure to ensure adequate Vitamin D in their bodies, only a few minutes per day is required to achieve this. Sun exposure in large amounts can lead to extensive skin damage. This damage can result in premature aging of the skin and puts adults at risk for skin cancer later in life. One type of skin cancer, Melanoma, can be fatal.

The Difference Between Baby, Child and Adult Sunscreen

• For the most part, anything that is formulated for a baby will have ingredients that are less irritating. Babies tend to have more sensitive skin than older children and adults, and so traditional chemicals put into sunscreen may result in some sort of adverse skin reaction. If baby is younger than six months, sunscreen is generally not advised. It is better to keep babies six months and younger out of the sun for periods longer than a few minutes per day. For older babies and young children, you can use a sunscreen containing zinc oxide or titanium oxide. These are considered "natural" products and generally do not have any toxic effects on children, and they begin working as soon as they're applied. Other sunscreens contain chemicals that must be applied in advance of going out into the sun to work properly. Also, the risk of a skin reaction is higher with chemical preparations. Do a test patch on the skin the day before going out into the sun to determine if your child may have a reaction to the sunscreen.