Paed Dermatologist Talks How to Choose a Sunscreen for Your Child

Sun damage is inevitable for everyone, and children aren’t an exception.

And it can’t be helped that their skin is more sensitive compared to us adults.

Enter the sunscreen in the scenery.

Despite the needed protection, there are also too many options you need to choose from.

But fret not – this fellow paediatric dermatologist is here to help.

Opt For These Ingredients

Aside from the brands, the TikTok paediatric Dr Sheilagh also mentions the ingredients to look out for.

One of the easiest things you can look out for is the form of the sunscreen.

According to the TikTok post, you should choose stick sunscreens.

This is so that the application is more even and not sticky.

And that it won’t be runny on your child’s skin.

You should also look whether it’s mineral sunscreen.

Here’s how to detect whether its mineral sunscreen: look out for the ingredient zinc oxide.

This is because this ingredient is less likely to cause any irritants on the skin.

Lastly, keeps your eyes peeled on the word ‘hypoallergenic’.

When a skin product mentions ‘hypoallergenic’, it means that it’s very unlikely to cause allergens.

This may also have to do with the list of ingredients a tube of sunscreen has.

And without you knowing, your child may be allergic to some of them.

So, it’s better to be safe than sorry.

Avoid These Ingredients

Now that we have gone over the options you should choose, what about the ones you should avoid?

Firstly, it’s best to avoid spray-on sunscreens.

Not only is aerosol bad for your health, it’s also uneven on the skin.

Dr Mallika Marshall of CBS stated: ‘Some sunscreens contain a potentially cancer-causing chemical called benzene’.

‘The presence of this chemical is especially concerning in spray sunscreens because it can be both inhaled and absorbed through the skin.’

And when one inhales aerosol, many bad things can happen.

According to the University of Rochester, inhaling aerosol can cause heart irregularities.

This is as due to the high concentration; the body isn’t able to breathe in oxygen.

Aside from spray-on sunscreen, avoid chemical sunscreens as well.

Compared to mineral sunscreen, chemical sunscreen absorbs into your skin, with oxybenzone absorbed the most.

This chemical compound, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), may cause a number of allergies.

And instead of blocking the ultraviolet (UV) rays, they change the chemical properties.

Lastly, the TikTok clip mentioned to avoid any botanicals or fragrance.

It’s common ground that fragrances cause irritants.

This is because they have a low-molecular weight mechanical.

And when it’s on contact to sensitive skin, it may cause irritants.

This may be the same for botanicals as well.

But not much is elaborated on this ingredient in the clip.

Leisure in the Sun

Your children may like it most when playing under the sun.

But despite the fun, there are also risks from the sun itself.

However, with these tips, we hope it’ll help keep your child safer while outdoors.

Disclaimer: The information provided in this article is for informational purposes only and should not be considered as medical advice from Motherhood. For any health-related concerns, it is advisable to consult with a qualified healthcare professional or medical practitioner.

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