If you have kids in your care under the intense heat of the UAE, you will know that sun protection is not a seasonal task—it's part of daily routine. However, attempting to determine which bottle will be best for your child (from the little newborn baby to the school-going adventurer) can itself feel like a guessing game.
You want the best natural sunscreen for kids that won't irritate your child's skin, but you wonder if the standards change as they grow in age? Do they really need SPF 50?
Here at SunKiss, we'd like to make it as simple as we can. The reality is, the guidance you employ is purely dependent on the age of your child and their own personal skin sensitivity. Let's break down sunproofing your child safely, step by step.
Stage 1: The Newborn Period (Under 6 Months)
This phase has the most obvious directive: Avoid Sunscreen and Avoid Direct Sun.
The sensitivity of a new baby's skin decides their bodies have no mechanism to metabolize or break down chemicals in ordinary sunscreens. Because of this, all pediatricians concur sunscreen for babies under 6 months is not to be used.
The SunKiss 0-6 Month Rule
- Shade is the Only Safe Option: Keep the babies away from direct sunlight completely. Hats, light-colored clothing on arms and legs, and always covering with sun canopy over the pram are all required.
- Morning and Evening: When outdoors is unavoidable, attempt to steer clear of when UV index is lowest—before 10 am and after 4 pm. For the UAE, this is particularly a rule due to the strength of the midday sun.
Stage 2: The Toddler Years (6 Months to 2 Years)
At six months, sunscreen is a useful addition to your arsenal that you can't live without, but you need to choose it well. This is when infants are most likely to develop sensitivities.
The Mineral-Only Rule
In selecting a pediatrician recommended sunscreen for kids in this age range, mineral sunscreens are by far the smartest option. You simply look for Zinc Oxide and Titanium Dioxide content.
- Why Mineral? These sit on the skin and literally shield the sun, not absorbed. This greatly minimizes the chance of allergic reaction, which is most important when applying sunscreen for toddler sensitive skin.
- Testing is Key: Even with the best mineral sunscreen for kids, always perform a quick test on the ear or wrist before full application.
In SunKiss, we concentrate our SunKids range on these mineral filters and provide a soft yet strong protection for the most sensitive stages.
Stage 3: The Active Child (2 Years and Up)
At two years of age, your child is running, playing, and sweating, so the real challenge is keeping it on their skin. You have more freedom now, but the SPF problem becomes muddled.
Solving the SPF Puzzle
Parents are likely to wonder: what is best with kids in terms of SPF?
SPF 30 and SPF 50 both provide high protection, although with the intense UAE sun, parents prefer to stick at the higher end.
|
SPF Level |
UVB Blockage |
When to Choose It |
|
SPF 30 |
Blocks about 97% of UVB rays. |
Great for school mornings or short exposure; less heavy on the skin. |
|
SPF 50 |
Blocks about 98% of UVB rays. |
Suggested for prolonged days at the beach, pools, or activities that will expose them to severe sweating where the exposure to the UV rays is almost assured. |
When considering SPF 30 vs SPF 50 for kids, do keep in mind the insignificant difference in the level of protection is far less important than your routine reapplying. Never be fooled by an SPF number into neglecting the two-hour top-up. For a more in-depth look at the difference, you can see our blog post on Understanding the SPF Differences.
On to Sensitivity Care
Just because they are older doesn't mean their sensitivity disappears. If you’ve found a great product for sunscreen for kids with sensitive skin, stick with it! Mineral filters remain the gold standard throughout childhood.
Practical Guide: How to Choose Sunscreen for Children
No matter your age, if you remember these three tips, you will choose the correct product for your family:
- Always Opt for Broad Spectrum: That will mean that the product will shield from both UVB (the burning rays) and UVA (the aging/damage rays). It will be clearly marked on the bottle.
- Prioritize "Water-Resistant": Particularly important in the UAE with pools and sweat aplenty. Water resistance for 40 or 80 minutes, but apply again as soon as towel off.
- Check the Expiry: Sunscreen expires. If you had a good product last summer, check if that date!
We explain why this high SPF emphasis is so crucial for the strong sun in our immediate setting in our guide: Why SPF is Important in UAE.
SunKiss Solutions: The Safe Choice for Every Stage
We created at SunKiss our SunKids line to take the guesswork out of it, particularly for parents who are interested in getting the best mineral sunscreen for kids that is pediatrician recommended sunscreen for kids approved.
Our entire line, from our number one selling Mineral Protect Lotion to our Active Sticks, is mineral-derived (Titanium Dioxide and Zinc Oxide). They are all visibly labeled broad-spectrum high kids sunscreen SPF 50+ to give you the highest confidence against the sun of the UAE. If it's a sensitive product for your toddler's sensitive skin or a quick stick for an older child's face, we have a safe solution for the special demands of this climate.
Final Thoughts on Sun Protection
Choosing the proper sunscreen for your child is one of the most forward-thinking actions you can take on their behalf. Above all, you want to pair the product with the age, utilize mineral filters in sensitivity cases, and never cut corners when it comes to reapplication.
By leaving the defense of your family to SunKiss, you are selecting a company that is committed to delivering safe, high-efficacy solutions to the high UV world we live in.
Ready to discover the perfect, sensitive-skin friendly solution for your loved ones?
Shop the entire SunKids Collection on our website today.
Discover other great high-SPF options in the country? See our guide: Best Sunscreens SPF in UAE.
