Sunscreen Recommendations for Toddlers to Keep Them Safe This Summer

The tell-tale signs of summer are everywhere. Swimming pools are filling up, parks are filled to the brim with laughing children, and suntan lotion and sunscreen are filling the aisles of my local department store. If you children are like mine, there is no limit to the amount of time that they want to stay outside. If they had their way, I think they would move into the front yard until snow starts falling again in October. My toddler especially loves his newfound freedom of exploring the front yard and splashing around in his wading pool.

My little sun-worshipers need to be protected from the sun and its dangerous, damaging ultraviolet radiation. Nothing makes a toddler more miserable than a sunburn, and the reality is, sunburns in a child's early years will lead to health problems later in life. Even though my toddler isn't concerned with skin cancer, I need to be. It is important for my toddler, and yours, to be protected with a sunscreen at all times when outside. Luckily, there are many sunscreen products specifically designed for my toddler's gentle skin. Not only are they formulated for sensitive skin, but they provide extend SPF protection.

General Tips for Protecting your Toddler with sunscreen:

You should apply sunscreen 15 to 30 minutes before going outside. You want to look for a sunscreen that is easy to apply such as a gel or a spray. Make sure to get all of your toddler; those tiny parts such as toes and feet can get burned easily while a child is sitting in a stroller or a swing outside.

You may have heard that sunscreen can expire, it is true. Sunblock and sunscreen must be repurchased annually; most bottles now have an expiration date. After this date, usually, one year, will lose potency in ins ability to filter the UVA and UVB rays effectively.

Do not use combination sunscreen and bug repellant products. These products are not regulated by the FDA or the EPA. In fact, they are not regulated at all. Applying these products may cause toxic buildup of the insect repellent chemicals.

If your child is taking any medications, especially antibiotics, keep her out of the sun during the hours of 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. when the sun is strongest. Many medications increase the effects of sun exposure.

Avoid the sun during the hottest part of the day or times when humidity is high. During the hottest part of the day, The American Academy of Dermatology recommends that you tell children, "Sit or play in the shade when your shadow is shorter than you are tall."

Recommended Sunscreen Products for Toddlers:

Product Name: Mustela Sun Lotion, Bebe High Protection
SPF: 50
Waterproof: Water and Sweat Resistant
Special Features: Mustela Sun Lotion, Bebe High Protection is fragrance free and designed specifically for sensitive skin. It is also formulated to minimize allergic reactions.
Active Ingredients: Titanium Dioxide (11.1%), Zinc Oxide (5%)

Product Name: Baby Blanket Sunscreen Stick for Babies
SPF: 45
Waterproof: Water Resistant
Special Features: This sunscreen for toddlers applies as a stick making application quick and mess-free. Baby Blanket Sunscreen Stick is hypoallergenic, sting-free and PABA free. It is specially formulated for sensitive skins.
Active Ingredients: : Octinoxate (7.5%), Octocrylene (6.0%), Oxybenzone (3.0%), Zinc Oxide (15.0%)

Product Name: Blue Lizard Kids Australian Suncream
SPF: 30
Waterproof: Yes; retains SPF after 240 minutes of activity in water.
Special Features: This sunscreen for toddlers is designed for active kids playing in water. It features extreme water resistance and is formulated for sensitive skin.
Active Ingredients: Octinoxate (7.5%), Octocrylene (2%), Oxybenzone (3%), Zinc Oxide ((Z-Cote?) 6%)

Product Name: Bull Frog Kids Sunblock Spray, Fast Blast
SPF: 36
Waterproof: Yes; features 8 hours of water resistance.
Special Features: This spray gel is grease free and will not sting or stain. Because it is a gel, it applies rapidly which lets your toddler get out to play as soon as possible. This product is also designed for extreme water conditions.
Active Ingredients: Octinoxate (7.5%) (Sunscreen), Octisalate (5%) (Sunscreen), Octocrylene (10%) (Sunscreen), Oxybenzone (6%)

Product Name: Bull Frog Kids, Sunblock Marathon Mist Continuous Spray
SPF: 36
Waterproof: Yes; features 8 hours of water resistance.
Special Features: This continuous spray formula is easy and quick to apply. It is also watermelon scented. The spray mists are the quickest to apply, but I have found that you tend to use more than you need because there is some overspray of the area you are applying it to. If your toddler hates the time it takes to apply sunscreen, this mist might be for you.
Active Ingredients: Octinoxate (7.5%), Octisalate (5%), Octocrylene (10%), Oxybenzone (6%)

Product Name: Coppertone Continuous Sunscreen Spray, Water Babies
SPF: 50
Waterproof: Yes.
Special Features: This is another continuous spray sunscreen for rapid application. Coppertone advertises that they are the #1 pediatrician recommended brand. Coppertone Continuous Sunscreen Spray is formulated for very sensitive skin and is hypoallergenic and PABA-free.
Active Ingredients: Avobenzone, Homosalate, Octisalate, Octocrylene, Oxybenzone