What SPF do you use on your kids?

[sheeplikessleep]

I've always assumed the higher the better.
BUT, I've been searching for a gentler suncream for DS1 whose eczema has flared up bad this summer, which I think is his suncream. All of the more 'natural' ones seem to have lower SPFs.

I've read good reviews about the Greens suncream, but the highest they do is SPF25.

Is this high enough for a 2 year old? I've also read that Austalia don't sell anything above 30SPF, because by that point, the cream has rubbed off / sweated off anyway.

I guess I'm asking if anyone knows or has seen anything credible about whether a SPF25 is high enough for a toddler. If it is, I'd prefer to get a lighter formulation, to try to avoid eczema and heat rash. We are off to Mallorca in September.

Thanks for reading - I'll be back on later.

I don't know about spfs, but I use Simple for children which is factor 50.
I started using it because ds reacted to something else (can't remember what brand) - he has mild excsema (sp?!). Both my dcs are fine with this skin-wise. (I recently bought some from Savers for £4.99, previously got it in Boots for £9.99...)

ds also very sensitive
can only use bergaderm -different name now
I use spf 20 on him
ne's never been burnt but has skin that tans easily

Avon do a really good SPF 30 kids mineral sunscreen which is v good for sensitive skin. That's what we use.

Nivea spf50.

This year I've bought this one from them to try. My dc aren't babies but dd does have a bit of eczema and sensitive skin so I thought we'd give it a go.

I have also heard differing things about the effectiveness of v high suncreams. I must admit I find it all quite confusing so I opt for a high one to err on the side of caution.

I think one of the arguments against is that they can give a false sense of security and maybe people feel it's safer to stay out in it longer than they should. I think suncream can only go so far and am a big believer in dc wearing sunhats and a t shirt as much as possible too. I plan to take a big pile of old ones abroad with us this year to wear on the beach.

Thanks all for posting, really useful, thank you. I'm going to look them all up.

Does anyone know, are all mineral suncreams waterproof?

30, nivea or ambre solaire

I use Sunsense toddler milk - it's Australian, really light and is SPF50.

It's the lightest cream I've ever used on the dcs and comes in a roll-on (like a deodorant) and is water resistant. Wouldn't use anything else now.

Meant to say that I also dress both of them up in australian style swim-suits - long arms, legs down to their knees at least with good SpF and UV protection - it cuts down hugely on the amount of cream you have to use.

Another vote for simple for kids - so good infact, that I often use it for me (am very very fair skinned) as I think it's nice and thick and stays on well. Also it's not purfumed and I've never found it itches - I don't have excema but I do find alot of the purfumey ones irritating.

I agree with the 30ish spf for kids as you do need to reapply it after a couple of hours anyway, but when DD2 was a baby I used spf 50 on her - not old enough to be playing in the sand and sea so not washing it off as fast

30. anything higher is a scam. We use badger suncream. It is the only one we found that is 100% natural with no chemical uv absorbers. The active ingredient is zinc oxide and it is water resistant for up to 40 mins.

I use Green People unscented SPF 25 on my 2 DD's and have done since they were about 2 - I have found it to be excellent, never had any problems and they've certainly never burned.

As someone has said anything over SPF 30 is a scam anyway.

oh dear, now i have too much choice! i have got a sunsuit thing, down to wrists and knees. i'll look these all up - thanks all for posting

can I just say, as my DH was a suncare consultant, he is forever warning his customers (he's now a pharmacy manager) NOT to just go by the SPF! you must look at the star rating too. sorry can't remember the details of why, but basically e.g. if you got a really high SPF, if it's only say 2 stars it is pointless.

as I said - can't really remember why so please ask your pharmacy if unsure.

(BTW we use a sunsuit thingy too, and a legionnaire hat made of the same stuff)

mathsmadmummy - thanks loads for posting, it's useful to know from a suncare expert. i personally find it all quite confusing! spfs, star rating, kids ones, sensitive ones, particular ingredients to avoid / go for etc.

you're very welcome :)

DH really cares about it. he even got in trouble for not pushing the most profitable suncare products - he was telling people the truth and showing them which products were actually safer.

it's difficult to find out the star ratings though online (which is where most of the more sensitive ones seem to be sold). i'll keep looking, thanks

DD1 has bad reactions to every sun cream we've ever tried regardless of the brand except Nivea. I tried the 'green' ones, organic etc etc and they all set her skin off. Fortunately Nivea is available everywhere and almost always on a bogof.

We had trouble getting suncream for DS as he has excema and absoulutely hates creams. In the End we settled for The once a day oily lotion you can get which is factor 20,P20 is the name, it was good and he never burned. You do have to put it on 45 mins before.

Now we use one of the spray on sun tan creams. It goes on like a spray on deoderant and has never given him any trouble with his excema. You can't use it on under 3's but it doesn't say why. You can also get upto factor 50 but chenck the uva and uvb stars, 5 are the best