With the return of sunny days, it is important to protect children's skin (as well as that of adults) from the sun. What type of container to choose? Do aerosols, which are more practical, protect as well as creams? A brief overview of the question.
Parents know this ritual well: before going to the beach, the swimming pool or going out in good weather, you must slather your children with sunscreen.
What type of container to choose? Some opt for aerosols, which are more practical for coating little ones with sun protection. But are they as effective as tube products, to be spread on the skin?
Products with a composition that you should be wary of
Let's settle the debate immediately: spray sunscreens are as effective as those in tubes. On the other hand, the former contain chemical UV filters, such as octorylene which degrades into benzophenone, an endocrine disruptor which can be allergenic and which is considered “possible carcinogenic to humans” according to the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC).
Additionally, spray products also use propellants, which are liquefied gases that are likely to be inhaled by children. For these two reasons, it is important to use them correctly, to avoid any risk to children's health.
How to choose the right sunscreen?
Regarding the criteria for choosing a sunscreen, certain points are essential to respect.
- Choose a product with a minimum index of 50, to protect children's skin from UV rays;
- Apply it in sufficient quantity to protect the skin, without forgetting certain parts of the body such as the ears, for example;
- Reapply every two hours and spread the first layer at least 20 minutes before being exposed to the sun;
- Supplement sun protection with sunglasses and a t-shirt for older children; children under three years old should not be exposed to the sun at all, even for a short time.
Finally, be aware that according to UFC-Que Choisir, the best sunscreen for children is the Respire brand spray, whose rating is 14.3/20.
Our selection :
1/ Biolane sunscreen
2/ Mustela sun cream
3/ Lovéa moisturizing foam
