The sun's rays are the main source of vitamin D, which is necessary for the growth of muscle and bone tissue and the prevention of rickets in babies. But the intense exposure to ultraviolet radiation leads to skin burns and contributes to the development of cancer. Therefore, it is so important to choose a quality sunscreen that will protect your baby from danger.
The best manufacturers of sunscreen for kids
A high-quality cream should consist of natural and safe ingredients, be easy to apply, not cause allergies and protect the baby's delicate skin from UV radiation. Products of the following brands meet these requirements:
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Babo Botanicals. The products of this company contain only natural ingredients, including zinc, emollient organic oils, antioxidants and vitamins. They are completely safe for the child and do not cause allergies.
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Töpfer. The main goal of the company is to create cosmetics from organic products. Its products are certified by the BDIH – the Association of Manufacturing Companies and Pharmaceutical Distributors in Germany. This means that Töpfer products contain only natural ingredients, and plant materials are collected in ecologically clean fields.
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Mustela. The company pays special attention to research on the skin of the newborn. Scientists at the company have even reproduced the baby's epidermis (the outer layer of skin) in a laboratory to study the characteristics of the baby's skin and the effects of cosmetics on it.
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La Roche-Posay. The company's products enter the market only after rigorous clinical research. Products are manufactured taking into account the therapeutic needs of the child and the recommendations of dermatologists.
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Coola. In the production of sunscreens for children, only natural ingredients are used: zinc oxide, vitamins, antioxidants, vegetable oils. Each product of the company contains over 70% certified organic ingredients.
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Alpha Nova. The company's products are absolutely safe and can be used by small children, pregnant women and albinos.
What degree of protection to choose for a child
The level of protection depends on the SPF (sun protection factor) value indicated on the package. SPF shows how well the product protects the baby's skin from UV radiation.
The SPF indicator varies from 2 to 100 units. But don't think that SPF 50 is much better than SPF 30. A cream with an index of 50 protects the skin from 99% of UV radiation, and a product with a label of 30 protects from 97%. And another interesting nuance – products with a sun protection factor of 100 are no different from products with an index of 50. They are more a marketing gimmick rather than a 'super sun protection'.
When choosing a cream, you need to take into account the color of the baby's skin and hair. Blondes and fair-skinned children with fair skin should choose products with SPF 40-50, and for a child with dark skin, SPF 15-30 is more suitable.
Any product, regardless of the level of protection, must be used every two hours.
What should be the composition of the cream
Protection against ultraviolet rays is provided by chemical or mechanical (physical) components. Chemicals (with benzophenone and avobenzone) are usually waterproof and do not leave white marks on the skin. They penetrate the skin and into the bloodstream and can cause allergies and dermatitis. They cannot be used on children under three years of age. And although it is believed that a low concentration of chemicals cannot harm health, it is better for a child to choose products created on the basis of mechanical filters.
Sunscreens that contain physical ingredients are completely safe for your baby. Unlike chemicals, they do not penetrate the skin, but form a protective cover on it that blocks ultraviolet rays.
Moreover, the action of the cream with physical ingredients begins immediately after application, and the products with chemical filters – only after 20 minutes.
Check the composition of the baby cream before buying. It should not contain:
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Parabens (e.g. Methylparaben, Ethylparaben). Some scientists believe that these substances increase the likelihood of developing malignant tumors. The permissible concentration of parabens in one product should not exceed 0.4%.
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Bronopol. This substance leads to carcinogenic cell mutations, causes allergies and dermatitis. Prohibited for use in the EU and the US.
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Phenoxyethanol is a toxic compound. Its concentration in a cosmetic product should not exceed 1%. Phenoxyethanol can cause allergies and dermatitis, and when it breaks down, substances that stimulate carcinogenic processes are formed.
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Alcohol denat – dries and irritates the skin.
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Disodium EDTA – contributes to the development of cancer.
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Citrus essential oils – reduce the resistance of cells to UV light, which increases the likelihood of burns.
Why do you need products with a wide range of protection
The skin is affected by two types of ultraviolet rays: UV-A (UVA) and UV-B (UVB). UV-A rays are one of the causes of carcinogenesis. They also contribute to sun aging. UV-B rays are the reason a person 'burns out' in the sun. Just like UVA, they are associated with the onset of malignant neoplasms.
Some sunscreens only protect your skin from one type of UV rays. Therefore, it is recommended to choose products with a wide range of activities, i.e. inhibiting the action of UV-A and UV-B.
What else to look for when buying
Choose only products that are labeled 'for children'. For babies, you need to buy special items that have '0+' on the label. Regular baby cream is usually designed for children over 3 years old.
Be wary of funds with an SPF of 50 or higher. The higher the sun protection factor, the more potentially hazardous substances it can contain.
Before buying, be sure to study the composition of the product you like. It should be free of parabens, fragrances, preservatives, etc. If the baby is under three years old, use products created on the basis of mechanical ingredients: zinc oxide or titanium dioxide.
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Attention! This material is the subjective opinion of the authors of the project and is not a purchase guide.
