First published: 19 October 2022 @ 6:00 pm
Sun protection for babies is important as well as for adults, yet it’s tricky to find a safe and effective sunscreen product.
Parents want their babies to be protected from harmful UV rays, yet some sunscreens may not be safe for babies.
The ingredients in these sunscreens may cause irritation, rashes, and other health problems.
It is important to keep your baby protected from harmful UV rays.
As a parent, you want to make sure that you are doing all you can to protect your baby from the harmful UV rays of the sun.
In this article, we will give you tips on choosing the best sunscreen for babies. You will also find out whether aerosol sunscreen can be harmful for your baby.
What Is Aerosol Sunscreen?
Aerosol sunscreen is an easy, quick and practical alternative to regular sunblock. You just spray some sunscreen and go.
However, the FDA recognizes babies are more likely to have dangerous effects from sunscreen than adults.
Spray sunscreen contains hormone disrupting ingredients as much as other sunblock lotion, and free radicals in the sunscreen can harm a person’s body.
Babies do not yet have a fully formed immune system; they have very little ability to process harmful chemicals as they would. So babies get more chemicals from aerosol sunscreens as adults do.
How to Choose the Best Sunscreen for Baby
1. Stick with chemical-free sunscreen for your baby
Exposure to benzene, one of the key ingredients in most chemical sunscreens, is a known human carcinogen.
Therefore, when choosing a sunscreen for your baby, look for one that is free of chemicals like these. You can choose ingredients like titanium dioxide and zinc oxide as alternative sunscreen ingredients.
Photo by Michelangelo Buonarroti on Pexels.
2. Make sure the product does not contain any harmful ingredients
Daily exposure to sun and ultraviolet rays is the number one cause of skin cancer, which is the second most common form of cancer.
Sunscreen is a protective factor that helps to prevent sunburn and skin damage, but not all products are as effective as others.
As a result, many products on the market today contain harmful ingredients that can be potentially harmful to the health of children.
If you want to keep your baby’s skin safe from harmful chemicals in sunscreen, look for organic sunscreens that are free from oxybenzone or synthetic fragrances.
This means you will have to pay more for your sunscreen – but it’s worth it!
3. Stick to mineral-based sunscreens
If protective clothing is not enough for your baby’s sensitive skin, use mineral-based sunscreens. These are the best type of sunscreen for baby’s skin because they are effective, safe and non-irritating.
Mineral sunscreens are based on natural ingredients like zinc oxide and titanium dioxide. They do not contain chemical agents such as PABA (para-amino-benzoic acid) or oxybenzone, which can cause contact dermatitis on babies.
Also, mineral sunscreens dry quickly so apply it quickly after applying the cream or lotion. Once applied to your baby’s skin, we should not wash these off with water so that they stay protected from harmful UV rays for long hours.
4. Ask your pediatrician about safe sunscreen options
Adverse health consequences of prolonged sun exposure are well-documented. Besides sunburn, it is possible for children to develop irritation and skin cancer.
Do not rely on an SPF label to protect against the sun’s harmful UV rays. If your child has acne or eczema, avoid applying sunscreen to his face; this can aggravate the condition.
Also, do not use sunscreen if your child has a fever or a rash. They can absorb the chemicals in sunscreens through the skin, causing burns and inflammation.
Ask your pediatrician about safe sunscreen options that may be suitable for your child’s skin type. This will ensure you are applying the right product at the right time and that it does not irritate or damage your baby’s sensitive skin.
5. Avoid going out with your baby at 10am to 2pm
Sometimes avoiding direct sunlight is much better than applying sunscreen to your baby’s skin. If you do not want to leave your baby in the car, try to avoid going out when the sun is directly overhead.
If you have a small child, then try to avoid going out at this time of day.
Photo by cottonbro on Pexels.
Conclusion: Learn the Right Application of Sunscreen
Baby sunscreens are available in a variety of products. The best choice is to find one that is designed for babies, has no harmful ingredients and that you can use it safely.
To keep your baby safe from harmful UV rays, it is important to choose a product that does not contain chemicals that can be harmful to the skin.
Mineral-based sunscreens are better for babies as they do not contain harmful chemicals like oxybenzone.
However, choosing the right sunscreen is not the last step of the battle. It is important to apply the sunscreen properly and avoid going out in the sun at the wrong time.
With these tips, you can protect your baby from harmful UV rays and find a safe and effective product for your baby.
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