Child + sun = sunscreen. This seemingly simple equation, however, doesn't tell you everything you need to know to prevent your child from getting sunburned. But we will try to tell you everything. Why apply sunscreen to children as soon as the sun comes out? Why cream them even if you're only going out for a few minutes? And why reapply diligently when you're at the swimming pool all day? Children's skin is much more sensitive to sun exposure because it is thinner than adult skin. Moreover, its own defense mechanisms are not yet fully developed: it simply doesn't produce as much melanin to naturally protect itself from the sun. Therefore, sun rays (and paradoxically, sun protection products) are absorbed significantly faster and deeper into the skin. Excessive sun exposure in childhood can lead to premature skin aging or the appearance of hyperpigmentation in adulthood. The biggest fear is skin cancer: according to a JID study, sunburn in childhood can double the risk of skin cancer in adulthood. And you certainly don't want to experience that. Therefore, it is better to apply sunscreen to children very thoroughly. The rules are simple, but they are still often forgotten.

This is not only claimed by James Bond, but also by all manufacturers of sun protection products. And it's really necessary. All ingredients in the cream, which tend to naturally separate from each other, must be mixed. Proper shaking then also means good application.

The SPF value on sunscreen is a multiple of the number of minutes the skin can withstand without protection. If it takes three minutes for your skin to redden, and you apply SPF 30 to yourself or your child, that means 90 minutes of protection. However, you must also subtract sweating, swimming, and rubbing off with clothing or a towel. The duration of effectiveness is thus shortened, which is why it's necessary to apply it regularly. Furthermore, no cream protects 100% against UV rays, and a small amount of radiation always penetrates the skin.

Most parents are already used to protecting children's skin with sunscreen products. However, according to a survey by Beiersdorf, they don't know how to apply the products correctly and in what quantity. Parents often miss key areas such as the insteps, areas around clothing, parts of the neck, and face. Furthermore, approximately 88 percent of parents use less sunscreen than the recommended amount of 2 mg/cm2. If you are using a spray product, use about 5 presses of the dispenser for each area (for children under 6 years old, and 7-10 presses for older children). If you are using sunscreen cream, measure the correct amount on your palm: a thicker strip of the product the length of your middle finger is the basic unit from which everything will be derived. For a child under 6 years old, then apply one to one and a half units to each area of the body (each leg and arm separately, instep, abdomen, chest…). For the face and neck, use double the amount. Simply put, imagine it as three to four tablespoons full of cream (for adults, at least six).

While some insist on applying cream before heading to the beach, others are perfectly fine applying it only once they are at the water. And some manufacturers speak just as contradictorily: product A guarantees protection immediately after application, manufacturer B recommends applying 30 minutes before sun exposure. The truth is somewhere in the middle: it is definitely better to apply the product to skin that is not yet warmed up (not sweaty) and give the cream a moment to penetrate the skin. Furthermore, the absorption and action time can vary depending on the type of cream and the type of filter that protects against the sun.