Venturing out with your baby to enjoy the sunny weather? Before you head out with your little one, it’s important to protect their sensitive skin with baby sunscreen from the sun’s harmful UV-A and UV-B rays as they are susceptible to redness, rashes, irritation and skin burns.
Prevention is the best form of sun protection and whenever possible, avoid stepping out during the hottest time of the day which is between 10 am and 4 pm. However, if you must step out then take extra precautions such as wearing sunscreen.
There are many other ways you can keep a check on your baby’s sun exposure and protect their sensitive skin.
- Keep your baby in a cool, shaded area whenever you step out.
- If your baby loves going outdoors then try and go out during early mornings or late evenings.
- Dress your baby appropriately to prevent exposing their skin to the sun. Loose long-sleeved shirts, wide-brimmed hats and sunglasses with UV-A and UV-B protection can go a long way.
- If your baby is in a pram or stroller then use an umbrella or shade flaps to keep them protected from the sun.
- If your baby is more than 6 months old then ensure they are properly hydrated and keep giving them water to drink.
Can babies wear sunscreen at 3 months?
For newborn and babies under 6 months of age, it is advisable to keep them out of direct sunlight and not use sunscreen because their skin is delicate and sensitive. However, for babies 6 months old and above, you can apply a mineral-based or physical sunscreen which offers SPF 50 protection from sun’s UV-A and UV-B rays. There are tonnes of curated sunscreen for babies available in the market and they should be applied 15 minutes before stepping out in the sun. It’s equally important to keep reapplying the sunscreen every 2-3 hours to ensure proper protection.
What sunscreen is safe for babies?
Sunscreen is an essential part of baby care products and should be used not just in the summer season but throughout the year. While newborn babies and babies under 6 months of age shouldn’t be exposed to direct sunlight and should be kept in shade, babies who are 6 months old and above must use sunscreen to protect themselves. But what’s the best sunscreen and how do you choose one? Here are some pointers that will help you choose one one and make it a part of the natural baby products you use for your baby.
Your baby’s skin is delicate and sensitive. It is also thinner and more permeable as compared to your skin and easily absorbs anything that is put on it. Keeping these factors in mind, you must always choose baby care products that are natural, toxin-free and dermatologically tested. Choose a mineral-based sunscreen over a chemical sunscreen as it is safer for the skin. A mineral-based sunscreen has natural minerals such as Zinc Oxide and Titanium Dioxide which form a physical barrier on the skin and reflect the sun’s rays. Chemical sunscreens, on the other hand, contain harmful chemicals such as Oxybenzone which can be absorbed into the body. While mineral-based sunscreens block and reflect UV-A and UV-B rays whereas chemical sunscreen absorbs the sun’s rays and converts it into heat which causes skin redness and discomfort.
There are many types of mineral-based sunscreens which offer a range of benefits for your little one’s skin. However there are certain points you must keep in mind when choosing a sunscreen. Ensure that the mineral-based sunscreen that you choose offers broad-spectrum protection and has an SPF of 50 to protect the skin from the sun’s harmful UV-A and UV-B rays. Also check to ensure that the mineral-based sunscreen is hypoallergenic and dermatologically tested so that it’s safe for your baby’s delicate skin.
Opt for a sunscreen that’s waterproof so that your little one is protected from the sun’s rays even when they are splashing around in water.
Before using a new skincare product on your baby, always do a patch test and apply a small amount of the product on a small patch of skin 48 hours before you go out to rule out any allergies or irritation. However, if your baby develops a rash then speak to your paediatrician and follow their advice.
These features sure help the right sunscreen to stand out among all other natural baby care products. The ingredients, however, are the deciding factors. If you are putting the sunscreen on your baby, it needs to be free of toxins like Oxybenzone, Parabens, mineral oils, PEGs, synthetic fragrances and so on. The sunscreen must be enriched with natural minerals like Zinc Oxide and Titanium dioxide instead of chemicals. Along with natural minerals, the sunscreen should have natural oils to protect the skin from the harmful effects of the sun’s rays. Check the ingredients label and look out for these oils:
- Organic Carrot seed oil: Rich source of oxidants that protects the skin from free radical damage
- Red Raspberry Oil protects the skin from the sun’s harmful rays
- Pongamia glabra seed oil prevents skin redness caused by sun exposure
- Shea butter provides moisturization to the soft delicate skin and soothes the exposed areas.
The Moms Co.’s Mineral based Sunscreen is natural and has all of the above ingredients to prevent skin redness and irritation. It is gentle on the baby’s skin and has no harmful side effects. It provides the ultimate sun protection with a 50+ SPF packed with natural minerals including Zinc Oxide and Titanium Dioxide. Known for being one of the best sunscreen for babies in India, the Mineral Based Sunscreen by The Moms Co. is specially designed for the needs of babies and their sensitive skin.
While sunscreen is a much better option to prevent the harmful sun rays from messing with your little one, you still need to be prepared for any potential sun burns that can happen. Be careful about spending time in the sun and if your baby’s skin gets red or burned, move them to shade immediately and apply cold compresses to the pink patches.
Once you are back indoors from the sun and have cooled down, don’t forget to give your baby a bath to clean off sweat, dirt and the sunscreen from their skin. Choose a baby face cream to moisturize their skin and keep it soft and nourished. Always ensure that you and your baby don’t outside without applying sunscreen, no matter what the weather is like.