Children's skin in the sun 2026

Author: Carla Nieto

It is important to control the time that children are exposed to the sun. Solar radiation is now more aggressive than in the past, due, among other causes, to the hole in the ozone layer and the decrease in its thickness.

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Can small babies sunbathe?

• It is not recommended to expose babies under six months to the sun, because their skin is very sensitive and has not yet fully developed its ability to secrete melanin, the pigment that protects it. These babies burn and dehydrate very easily, and it is still not advisable to apply sunscreen to them.
• From the sixth month of life they can be exposed to the sun, but only for a short time and, of course, well protected, with a sunscreen with a high protection factor and outside of the central hours of the day.

What is the most suitable sunscreen?

From the sixth month of life, children's skin should be protected with a sunscreen. Specific products for children have physical mineral filters that protect them against UVA, UVB and infrared rays, and are also resistant to water, friction, chlorine and perspiration.

Choose a hypoallergenic sunscreen that has been tested under pediatric and dermatological control, without dyes or perfumes. It should also include soothing and nourishing ingredients, such as vitamin E and aloe vera and oat extracts.

What protection index should be used?

A protection factor of 25 is sufficient for dark-skinned children and greater than 30 for blonde and very white children. If your child has sensitive skin, he or she needs a special sunscreen and should also wear a hat and a T-shirt even when bathing.

Ask the dermatologist or, if this is not possible, the pediatrician or pharmacist what is the most appropriate protection for the child's skin.

How is the photoprotector applied?

To ensure the effectiveness of sunscreen, it must be applied at least half an hour before exposure. Only then does the skin have time to absorb it and be perfectly protected against solar radiation. The amount of product must be abundant: never less than 20 ml of cream for the entire body.

Should we insist on some areas of the body?

• In children and especially in babies, the scalp and neck, ears, cheekbones, nose, shoulders, upper thighs, soles of the feet and insteps are areas more prone to burns. When applying sunscreen, focus on them or even apply a cream with a total screen.
• Avoid direct sun rays for babies, protecting them with a hat, t-shirt, pants and sandals on the beach and on daily walks.

How often is the application repeated?

At least every two hours, before even if the child is exercising a lot or sweating profusely and after each bath, even if the cream is waterproof and highly protective.

Does the child need cream if it is not sunny or is under the umbrella?

Outdoors, children should always wear sunscreen. Parasols, clouds, and even the shade of trees do not offer sufficient protection from the sun, since they filter infrared radiation but not ultraviolet rays, which are also reflected by the sand.

What if it's in the water?

It also needs to be protected. As with clouds, water eliminates the sensation of heat, but it does not filter ultraviolet rays. In fact, children with very sensitive skin should not stay near water for long, because the sun's rays reflect off it and increase the possibility of sunstroke.

What happens if the child resists?

Distracting him, telling him a story or explaining how and why the cream is given are usually effective measures when the child does not consent to having it applied. In these cases, products with a physical screen, which leave a white layer on the skin, are very useful to ensure that the entire body has been protected.

Can you use an adult cream?

It is preferable to apply a product designed for children's skin to the child and baby. But in case of need, it's okay to put an adult one on it.

And one from the previous year?

You should not use a cream from the previous summer, since the passage of time, heat and light can degrade the filters it contains and not be effective in protecting the skin. In any case, once the creams are opened they have a limited duration that is specified on the packaging with a symbol.

What care does children's skin need after sun exposure?

It is good to bathe the child or give him a warm shower to remove salt or chlorine from his skin, and apply a cream to hydrate his skin and repair possible damage caused by the sun.

Can you put an adult after sun on them?

Many adult moisturizers can also be used on children. However, after sun products for children have a series of advantages: their texture is light, they are easy to spread, they can be used on the face and body, the skin absorbs them quickly, they do not usually cause allergies and they have soothing and refreshing ingredients, such as panthenol, almond oil and glycerin.

Should children wear sunglasses?

• It is advisable to wear sunglasses in areas where solar radiation is more intense, such as white sand beaches.
• You have to choose ones adapted to their face, that adjust to the head using elastic straps when they are babies. In addition, they must block at least 99 percent of UVA and UVB rays, with unbreakable frames made of non-toxic and anti-allergic materials. It is best to purchase them from trusted opticians or establishments.

Are sunscreens with anti-jellyfish or anti-mosquito products effective?

Creams that include a protective effect against the stings of jellyfish and other marine species or repellents against insects are just as effective as conventional ones if applied properly and following laboratory instructions.

What is the best time to sunbathe?

The first hours of the morning and the last hours of the afternoon. You should avoid the central hours of the day: between 11 a.m. and 4 p.m., which is when lightning strikes vertically and is most dangerous.

Should they always wear a hat and t-shirt?

• Children should never be exposed directly to the sun, which is why hats and T-shirts are essential whenever they are going to be exposed for a long period of time.
• T-shirts should be made of fresh fabrics, such as cotton, and hats preferably with wide brims. These garments can block up to 97% of the UVB rays that the child receives.

After the first months of life, can you let your guard down?

At all. In fact, a study conducted by researchers at Boston University showed that children burn more during the second year of life, when protection from the sun begins to decline, largely because parents relax in applying sunscreen and worry less if the child takes off his hat or shirt or does not play in the shade.

Advisor:Dr. Antonio Zambrano, head of the dermatology section at the Niño Jesús University Children's Hospital in Madrid.

Video: How to expose yourself to the sun safely

Keys and tips to protect our skin and that of children from the sun.