To ask what suncream factor you would use in a 4yo?

[CherryChasingDotMuncher]

Having a conversation with SIL today and she uses factor 30 on her 4yo on holiday because she reckons factor 50 means she doesn't absorb vitamin D. AIBU to think this is bollocks getting priorities a bit wrong or is there something I'm missing and we should all be using factor 30 on the kids? I use 50 on mine

I use factor 50 on myself because I burn relatively easy and I couldn't give a rat's arse if I'm paler than Casper, I also use this on my 11 and 5yo.

As far as I'm aware you only need a short amount of time in natural daylight to get your quota of VitD and none of us have ever been suspected or diagnosed with a deficiency so it can't be too bad but then I don't necessarily think there's an issue with using Factor 30 either if you don't burn easily

I put 50 on mine but she's the kind of skin that burns in December in snow. Even now she's older, I can't risk her using anything less. I think my mother used to chuck a bit of that ambre soleil oil on me when it was 30+ degrees on holiday. Times and knowledge have changed.

i use factor 15 or factor 30 in the summer. I like to take a bit of colour but not burn

I use factor 50 on all my D.C! We use the Sainsburys baby sensitive one, it's fab! I use it too.

Isn't factor 50 somewhat of a myth/false advertising? As in you only really get 30 protection with either?

I use 30 or 50...whichever is on offer. Can't really tell any difference.

My dc spend the majority of their outdoor time through the year with no sunscreen on so I can't see why there'd be concern over Vit D.

15 or 30 depending on the country and the strength of the sun. I'd use clothing if this wasn't enough.

I use factor 50 on my kids and they have Mediterranean heritage so go a deep brown at the slightest hint of sun. In fact we all use factor 50 even thought we have varying degrees of pastyness. Saves buying loads of different lotions

Factor 50 definitely. And now because I buy it for her I often just use it on myself as well

I use factor 20 or 30 as I agree that DC need some sunlight. I read an article somewhere that kids weren’t getting enough Vit D because everyone’s using factor 50.
My DC have never been sunburnt. I’m quite lucky because i’ve been caught out a couple of times on sunny days without sun cream and they don’t burn.

I think 30 or higher is fine for that age. As another poster said 30 and 50 are the same.

I used to use 50 but think with hindsight that 30 would have been better.

Depends on your DC's skin and where you are. One of my DC wears factor 100 every day, the other puts on factor 30 occasionally such as when we are at the beach. (We don't live in the UK)

Factor 50, from Lidl. DS has English-Irish skin but has not burnt even a small random triangle in 6 years of Spanish sun.

30 as I found the 50 completely “blocked” my sons skin and caused horrible itchy rashes wherever it was applied. And this was different brands, he wasn’t allergic to one in particular.
Last year we only used factor 30, also long sleeved tops and hats and not a single rash or sunburn.

Agree that 30 is probably as effective as 50 unless it's perfectly sprayed on.

I only ever use factor 50+ on myself and ds

There's only 1% improvement in UVB blocking between spf30 and spf50 and no study has ever shown any kind Vitamin D deficiency from suncream use.

Having said that, I always buy a good quality, waterproof, broad spectrum suncream with UVA blocking ingredients like zinc oxide or titanium oxide. Reapply frequently and remember that the sun still damages skin, even with cream on.

We live in a hot country and love the beach. Touch wood, the children have never burnt and DH and I very rarely.

Factor 50 for DC. They have daily vitamin tablets that include vitamin D so am more concerned about keeping their pasty white Celtic skin safe. If they were darker I'd probably go for a lower strength suncream.

I use factor 50, but only because that's what I use for my own pasty white Irish skin. My kids are mixed-race and my son in particular tans in minutes in February, given a sunny day. So I don't really think they need factor 50. But the habit is so engrained!
I remember when factor 15 seemed high. And 30 was only for the truly overcautious in my childhood!

I'm sure I've read before that there is no difference between 30 and 50. Having said that, my son reacts to some sun creams that I've tried so I use the children's La Roche Posay one, which only comes in 50+.

dd is an english rose, so gets factor 50 in high summer, factor 30 on any sunnish day.

DS1 &2 have DH's olive skin and use factor 30 only when on holiday/out all day in blazing sun.

I wear factor 30 at home and 50 on holiday.

DH only wears the occassional bit of facor 30 on holiday.

so all depends on the skin type.

I rarely use suncream at home, abroad factor 50.

I use spf 30 and don’t slather it on my child.
It isn’t just vitamin D. Homosalate and octocrylene are considered to be hormone disrupters. Nano zinc and titanium aren’t particularly recommended for kids either.
I prefer to use a hat and long lose clothes and lower the spf a little.
I am not paranoid, but I don’t think slathering spf is a great idea either. Everything in moderation.

Why are you so judgy on your SIL? It is not your business what she used. I use SPF 30 or nothing on holiday. It depends on where we are going. I have never managed to get my kids to burn or even turn a bit red. No need for SPF 50 at all.