Can my child get burned if the sky is cloudy? 2026

Talking about having to be very careful and protect yourself from the sun is one of the recurring themes every summer. We all know that the action of the sun on the skin can be very dangerous and sunburn, together with excessive exposure to the sun without protection, can be a serious danger that, over time, can end up triggering problems such as premature skin aging and even diseases such as cancer.

There is a tendency to think that if the sky is cloudy, we cannot get burned, but we must keep in mind that this is nothing more than a myth and a very unfortunate belief. We explain the reasons.

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ultraviolet radiation

During the summer the skin is more exposed to solar radiation, therefore, it is essential to protect yourself from ultraviolet radiation all year round, but it is advisable to increase precautions in the summer season.

We all know that it is essential to use sunscreen and we take care to provide maximum protection to take care of our children when they go to the beach or pool. However, surely more than one of you will be familiar with a phrase similar to this: “Come on, that's it, I won't miss you if it's cloudy today.” That the sun doesn't burn if the sky is cloudy is one of the most widespread myths.

As indicated in the decalogue for sunbathing safely prepared by the Spanish Agency for Medicines and Health Products (AEMPS), "sunscreen should be used even on cloudy days. UV radiation is reflected in water, sand, grass and snow, also on cloudy days." As we see, that is the reason why, even if there are clouds, both we and our little ones can get sunburned if we do not use sun protection.

“On a completely cloudy day, up to 40% of ultraviolet radiation reaches the earth, so you can get tanned and even burn your skin,” explains Dr. Yolanda Gilaberte, vice president of the Spanish Academy of Dermatology and Venereology (AEDV) in an interview with Eltiempo.es.

Therefore, the sensation of heat may be less on a cloudy day, but the sun filters through the clouds, so exposing yourself to it without protection entails the same risks.

There are many sunscreens on the market, but it is important to know what options there are for children and choose the most appropriate one. You can check out some products in our article: “The best sunscreens for children.”

Other recommendations from the AEMPS

The Spanish Agency for Medicines and Health Products (AEMPS) also gives another series of recommendations for safe sun exposure:

-Do not stay in the sun for a long time: we must keep in mind that there is no sunscreen that protects 100% of the sun's radiation, so, even if you use a product with a high protection factor, you should not stay in the sun for a long time.

- You must avoid exposing yourself to the sun between 12:00 and 16:00.

-Children under 3 years of age should not be exposed to the sun. It is important to use clothing, hats, glasses and sunscreens with a high Sun Protection Factor (SPF or SPF), which are special for children and water resistant. They should drink water frequently. These precautions should not be taken into account only at the beach or in the pool: during breaks, children can be exposed to the sun, so you should introduce sun protection into your child's daily skin care routine.

-It is necessary to use a sunscreen that protects at least against UVB radiation (frequently indicated as SPF), which causes sunburn; and UVA (frequently indicated with the acronym UVA framed in a circle), mainly responsible for premature skin aging.

- It is important to choose a sunscreen suitable for each type of skin or area of ​​the body (cream, spray, milk or gel), taking into account the phototype (the lighter the skin, the higher the SPF needed), the age and the circumstances of sun exposure. It is necessary to use a protector with a higher SPF for the first exposures.

- You must read the product instructions and apply it following the indicated instructions for use.

-How often should you apply sunscreen? It is very important to know that it should be applied half an hour before sun exposure, and repeat its application every two hours and after sweating, bathing or drying.

-Can sunscreens from last year be used? The answer is NO. If they are open from the previous year, they should not be used.

- Our body has areas where the skin is most sensitive: the face, neck, bald head, shoulders, neckline, ears, hands and insteps. Lips and hair should also be protected from the sun with the appropriate and specific products for this purpose.

-The sun also burns on cloudy days, so, as we said, the fact that there are clouds is no reason not to protect yourself from the sun.

- Protecting the skin with clothing, the head with hats and the eyes with sunglasses is also essential to be more protected.

- It is important to drink water frequently and apply moisturizing cream on the skin after sun exposure.

- If we observe changes in spots or moles on the skin, it is essential to go to the doctor.