Are you feeling overwhelmed when it comes to protecting your baby’s skin from the sun? Our essential guide to baby sun care is here to help you understand more about protecting your little ones’ delicate skin.
Being a parent comes with a lot of questions, as well as a lot of responsibilities. Keeping your baby protected and safe in the sun can leave you wondering what’s best for their delicate skin.
You might find yourself asking “Can sunscreen be used if my baby is under 6 months?” or “Which sun cream is safe for babies with eczema-prone skin?”, especially as the weather turns warmer or you enjoy milestones like your first holiday together.
With over 20 years’ experience formulating natural and organic sun care for babies and children with sensitive skin, we’re here to support you every step of the way.
At a glance:
- Babies’ skin is thinner, contains less melanin and is more prone to sunburn
- Minimise sun exposure, avoid peak heat hours (11am – 3pm), provide shade, use hats, apply age-appropriate sunscreen and stay mindful of baby’s comfort
- Dress babies in loose, cool clothes and keep them hydrated
- Under 6 months babies should be kept out of direct sunlight
- Choose a broad-spectrum sunscreen with SPF30 or over for babies over 6 months
- We recommend: Organic Children Scent Free Sun Cream SPF30
Baby sun safety basics
We need to be particularly careful about babies’ sun exposure as their skin is so much more delicate than our own. Their skin is thinner and contains less melanin (the pigment that helps protect against the effects of UV).
This means they’re much more susceptible to sunburn, even after a short time in sunlight - so keeping their skin protected is important. Babies also can’t regulate their body temperatures in the same way as an adult, which can lead to overheating.
The NHS recommends keeping babies under six months out of direct sunlight wherever possible. They advise using shade, a hat and lightweight clothing at this age, as well as limiting how long they stay in the sun at the hottest parts of the day.[1]
For babies older than six months, it is still important to prioritise avoiding the sun as much as possible. However, sunscreen can be used alongside spending time in the shade and covering up. Sunscreens for babies should be broad-spectrum (protecting against both UVA and UVB rays), formulated for sensitive skin and at least SPF30.[2]
Babies and the sun: 5 tips for parents
These sun tips are helpful for keeping babies safe in the sun, but can also make sense for the whole family too. Here are 5 sun protection tips for parents who want to keep their little ones protected:
- Babies under 6 months should not be exposed to direct sunlight
- For older babies, minimise sun exposure and avoid being out during the heat of the day (between 11am and 3pm)
- Keep your child in the shade where possible
- Ensure babies are clothed in loose-fitting clothing, sunglasses and a hat that covers the back of the neck
- Protect with an age-appropriate baby sun cream from age six months
Baby’s first sun cream
While we can’t stress enough how important it is that young infants are not overexposed to sunlight, using the right, high-factor children’s SPF from age 6 months+ will help to protect their delicate skin. It also helps to build sun-safe habits from an early age.
Babies' skin is much thinner and easily irritated than adults, so it’s not recommended that they share your sun cream. Instead, choose a skin-friendly, gentle sun cream that protects them with high-factor, broad-spectrum sun protection.
Our Organic Children’s sun creams offer high-factor, broad spectrum protection that’s kind to baby’s skin.
We recommend Organic Children Scent Free Sun Cream SPF30 as a baby’s first sun cream. This natural and organic sunscreen is suitable for age 6 months and offers peace-of-mind protection, with natural goodness you can trust. Its SPF30 broad-spectrum protection defends against UVA & 97% of UVB rays.
Unscented and perfect for sensitive babies, toddlers and children who may be prone to prickly heat (heat rash), its eczema-friendly ingredients give an ultra-gentle touch. Soothing, organic Aloe Vera and protective Cocoa Butter and Myrrh help to care for delicate skin.
Organic Children Scent Free Sun Cream - SPF30 150ml
Discover peace-of-mind protection with our best-selling kids’ SPF30 sun cream£30.00
If you prefer a higher SPF, our Organic Children Scent Free Sunscreen SPF50+ is also suitable for babies from age 6 months, when used alongside sun-safe practices.
This gentle sunscreen for children and babies offers very high SPF50+ broad-spectrum protection from and UVA and 98% of UVB rays. Designed for wriggly children and busy parents, this silky, ultra-light formula glides on smoothly and melts in fast.
Made without fragrance, drying ethyl alcohol or pore-clogging ingredients, it is gentle on sensitive skin. Allergy certified and dermatologically tested, it’s also suitable for little ones who may be prone to prickly heat or eczema.
Organic Children Scent Free Sunscreen SPF50+ 150ml
Protect young skin with our allergy-certified SPF50+ sunscreen for kids£30.00
Why Organic Children sun care makes the perfect choice for a first baby sun cream:
ü Natural and organic
ü Dermatologically tested
ü Clinically proven to be kind to sensitive skin
ü Non-greasy and easy to apply
ü Water repellent
ü Eczema-friendly and kind to prickly heat
ü Skin-friendly UV filters
We always recommend a patch test first, especially when it comes to your baby's sensitive skin.
Babies and prickly heat
Because babies can’t regulate their temperature and can quickly overheat, they can be susceptible to skin irritation like prickly heat. To avoid this, keep your baby well hydrated and dress them appropriately for the weather.
Some babies are prone to developing prickly heat in warm weather. This is an uncomfortable, temporary skin rash caused by trapped sweat and is very common in young children.
You can reduce your baby’s risk of prickly heat by avoiding waterproof sun lotions that contain petrochemicals and silicones. These work like wrapping their skin in cling film, causing a barrier and leading to irritation.
We never use petrochemicals or silicones in any of our sunscreens for babies and children. Instead we focus on gentle, natural and organic ingredients that are kind to young, sensitive skin.
Here are some helpful tips for reducing your baby’s risk of prickly heat:
- Choose a non-waterproof sun cream
- Keep baby in the shade
- Dress your little one in loose-fitting, cool clothes
- Bathe baby in cool water
- Keep them well hydrated
- Soothe their skin after sun exposure with a gentle, skin-kind children’s after sun
Organic Children Aloe Vera Lotion & After Sun 150ml
Soothe, calm and hydrate with an organic Aloe Vera lotion for children£16.50
We know that protecting your baby from the sun can feel overwhelming at times, especially when you’re navigating so much new advice. By prioritising shade, protective clothing and age-appropriate sun care, you’re already taking positive steps to support your little one’s delicate skin.
If you’d like extra help choosing the right SPF for your family, you can explore our natural and organic baby sun creams online or take our quick and easy sunscreen finder for personalised advice.
If you’d prefer to talk things through, our friendly UK customer care team is always happy top help. You can reach us at 01403 740350 or @GreenPeopleUK.
REVIEWED BY CHARLOTTE, FOUNDER OF GREEN PEOPLE
This blog post has been reviewed by Charlotte Vøhtz, founder of Green People, who has 25+ years of experience in the natural and organic beauty industry.
A recognised leader in the field of organic beauty, Charlotte helped inform the UK's first organic beauty standards and was voted the People’s Choice in the 2023 list of Who’s Who in Natural Beauty.
A published author, she wrote the organic beauty bible ‘Naturally Gorgeous’. Previously, she qualified as a nurse and spent over 10 years working in pharmaceuticals.
The contents of this blog post should be treated as information only. Please consult a medical professional if you have any health-related concerns or symptoms.
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