Do babies really need special sunscreen?
Aug 14, 2023
There are endless variations of sunscreen, and in addition to sprays, lotions, and creams for you, your little one also needs their own version. Is there really a difference? Not everyone thinks so: Last year, a customer sued Johnson & Johnson. She claimed that the sunscreen for babies and adults was almost identical but cost twice as much in the toddler version. We wanted to know for sure and asked pharmacist Dr. Patrick Eichenberger what the truth was.
Babies are not adults
As an adult, you can easily use sunscreen for babies and be well protected. However, the reverse is not true. Dr. Eichenberger explains: "Babies and toddlers have a much less developed skin barrier and a thinner stratum corneum than adults. Therefore, some things must be considered when choosing sunscreen."
Chemical ingredients: Many conventional sunscreens contain chemical ingredients like oxybenzone and octinoxate, which can cause irritation or allergic reactions in sensitive baby skin. Special baby sunscreens often contain gentler formulas that are better suited for babies' delicate skin.
Mineral sunscreens: "Toddlers and babies need physical protection, meaning mineral sunscreens that reflect radiation with ingredients like zinc or titanium dioxide." Among adults, products with chemical filters are more common because they are invisible on the skin. "Because the skin of toddlers is significantly more permeable, such creams are not suitable for them. Too many ingredients would pass through the skin barrier and potentially be metabolized in the body.
High sun protection factor: Since children's skin has almost no natural protection yet, a high sun protection factor is so important.
It is also important to know that sunscreen alone is not enough, as baby skin still has almost no natural protection from the sun. Dr. Eichenberger recommends dense UV clothing and protecting the heads of small children with large sun hats. In addition, sunscreen should be applied regularly and generously.
