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  • Great For Kids. My little one has very sensitive skin and it has taken a long time to find the right sunscreen. It applies easily and is not sticky. She is happy to let us put it on.

    Sarah

  • Best suncream I’ve tried. I’ve tried every natural suncream on the market and this one is the best for ease to use. My kids can put it on themselves without too much trouble unlike other oilier or thicker natural suncreams.

    Nicole

  • Love this! Such a nice sunscreen! Smells nice, goes on beautifully and isn’t too drying or white like most natural sunscreens! My favourite for the kids!

    Rebecca

Baby Sunscreen

 

Applying suitable sunscreen to your children is necessary to stop them getting sunburnt and provide them with excellent sun protection. A baby’s fair skin can suffer sun exposure damage in as little as 10 – 15 minutes. When we established Little Urchin, we found little available on the market that fit suitably with our environmental priorities related to using chemicals so we created at Little Urchin a natural* sunscreen that is suitable for use on babies (six months and older) as well as small children and adults alike.

When you’re planning a trip to the beach, or even if you’re going outside for a quiet BBQ, it’s very easy to get sunburnt from even a small amount of exposure. Recent recommendations are that we wear sunscreen every time we go outside to help protect us from the sun’s harsh rays. But what about babies? Is it suitable for them to have sunscreen applied every day?

In following the guidelines set out by the Cancer Council, any child over 12 months should have sunscreen applied to exposed areas of skin. For babies between six and 12 months of age, sunscreen should only be used as a last defence. For best results when using a sunscreen, one should be used that is specifically designated as suitable for young children like our Little Urchin Natural* Sunscreen. Sunscreen should not be used on babies under the age of six months and they should be kept out of both direct and reflective sunlight. When using a baby sunscreen on babies six months of age and older, it is best to first test it on a small patch of the baby’s skin and check for any reactions.

While it’s best to avoid the sun for babies, it just isn’t possible at all times. This is where using a baby sunscreen such as our natural* sunscreen can provide essential protection.

To apply the sunscreen, take a small amount and rub it directly onto your baby's exposed areas of skin. As they have sensitive skin, apply it gently and keep going until you cannot see the sunscreen anymore. After the sunscreen is applied, you shouldn’t see any residue or shiny marks. This is how you’ll know that it has been applied properly. For best results, you should reapply after every two hours of sun exposure (the perfect time to use the timer on your phone!) or more often when taking the baby into the water.

Can Babies Wear Sunscreen?

While limiting exposure to harmful UV radiation is essential, full avoidance is often difficult to achieve. Babies under six months have very sensitive skin and should be covered with loose fitting clothing and hats so that as much skin as possible is covered and any not covered is shaded. Even wrap-around sunglasses with UV protection that meets the Australian Standard requirements for sunglasses should be used if possible. Babies between six and twelve months also have sensitive skin and suitable sunscreen should be used as a last resort.

Dermatologists disagree over whether to avoid using sunscreen on babies under six months of age, with some saying that a young baby’s skin is no different to babies over six months or young children. So you may wish to check with your dermatologist before deciding how best to protect your baby from the sun’s harsh rays.

Some sunscreens contain ingredients that may not be suited to a baby’s sensitive skin and these should be avoided. Choosing a suitable sunscreen can be challenging as sunscreen manufacturers in Australia are not actually required to list all the ingredients in their sunscreens. Only the ‘active ingredients’ must be listed – so this can make choosing the correct sunscreen for your child difficult.

At Little Urchin, we started developing sunscreen out of concern for what we and our children put on our skin in way of sun protection. We wanted to avoid synthetic chemicals, especially those that have been proven to destroy ocean life (such as, oxybenzone and octinoxate). We dedicated our efforts to finding the best way to protect ourselves and our children from harmful UV radiation while, at the same time, ensuring a suitable method of sun protection for sensitive skin. The result was our Natural* Sunscreen, a mineral-based sunscreen using non-nano zinc oxide as the active ingredient and which can be used as a baby sunscreen (for babies six months and older).

Importantly, always apply a small amount on the forearm of your child and check for any reaction. If you start to see any reddening of the skin, you should not use the product any further.

We strongly suggest that, when going outside with your child, you should be a role model for them and use plenty of sunscreen, such as our Natural Sunscreen which is also a Reef Safe Sunscreen. This will demonstrate to your child what they need to be doing later in life when they go outside. Our products are Australian made and are made with natural* ingredients that do not harm our environment.

*We use the term ‘natural’ because over 99.9% of  the ingredients in our products are ones found in nature that are unharmful to the body and used in their natural form or are refined, purified or transformed in the laboratory from sources in nature. The refinement, purification and transformation processes of certain ingredients are chemical processes required to make the underlying, natural ingredients suitable for use in a sunscreen or moisturiser product. These processes do not involve the use of synthetic chemicals.

 baby sunscreen, baby summer essentials, happy baby at the beach

Sun, Skin, and Safety: A Guide To Baby Sunscreen

Picture your little one: radiant as the sun, their laughter echoing the sounds of summer. You wouldn't want them outshined, right?

Sunlight, while essential, can be a silent foe. Their delicate skin needs protection, and that's what we, Little Urchin, come in.

Let us guide you through the subtleties of baby sunscreen, helping you understand why it's crucial, how you can go about applying it, and how to choose one that's suitable for Mother Nature. Life's a sun-kissed exploration, but we can guard against the harmful effects of the sun.

Cherish every giggle in the heat with baby sunscreen.

 

A dive that’s not just skin deep

Shielding your ray of joy

As a concerned and caring parent, you probably already know that babies and young children have fragile skin that’s particularly prone to sunburn and UV damage. But have you ever wondered why?

While their early months are nothing short of fun experiences, they’re distinctly more sensitive to the sun than adults and older kids during this time in their lives. That’s all due to their skin having less melanin, the pigment that lends some protection from the sun. 

With this in mind, it’s advised that you keep babies shielded from direct sunlight. For babies six months and older, there are sensitive sunscreen options available for added protection. 

 

Effects of early exposure

All parents are ready to swoop in and bring their baby out of harm’s way, but sun damage can be faster than expected. 

Unprotected sun exposure for even just a short period of time can have immediate effects, like distressing sunburns. While sunburn is a visible manifestation of skin damage, it’s also critical to recognise that non-visible effects can affect different types of skin, even when the burn isn’t apparent.

It’s important to understand that UV radiation exposure in the first fifteen years of your baby’s life can raise the possibility of skin cancer later in life. So for protection and coverage, you should look into the best baby sunscreen for your needs and consider it as a loyal guardian.

 

The sixes against sickness

Aside from shielding your baby from direct sunlight in the first six months of their life, you should also introduce baby sunscreen or infant sunscreen once your child is six months old.

It’s best practice to opt for sunscreen suitable for babies. Choose a chemical-free option that relies on natural components. At the end of the day, this type of baby suncream is less likely to irritate their delicate skin.

Remember, sun protection is key at every life stage, particularly in infancy. Always seek personalised advice on sun protection for your baby from a medical professional.

 

Spot the difference

Embracing a broad spectrum

Selecting a broad-spectrum sunscreen is a loving act towards your baby’s skin, protecting it against both UVA and UVB rays. 

UVA rays often lead to premature ageing and skin damage, while UVB rays can cause sunburns. Broad-spectrum, natural sunscreen for babies steps in to protect against both types of UV rays, guarding against the risk of skin damage and skin cancer.

 

Taking action for a reef-friendly world

Similar to choosing the best non-toxic sunscreen for your baby’s skin, opting for a reef-safe sunscreen signifies a promise to our beautiful oceans. 

Traditional sunscreens, filled with harmful chemicals, can damage coral reefs and marine life, even causing coral bleaching. Such actions can sadly lead to the demise of our valuable coral reefs and the aquatic species that depend on them. 

Don’t forget: choosing a reef-friendly and eco-friendly baby sunscreen, whether it’s body sunscreen or face sunscreen, is part of caring for our common home, your child’s future, and ultimately what they can experience when they grow up. 

 

Advocating for cruelty-free tests

Committing to cruelty-free organic sunscreen is a testament to compassion and respect for all life here on earth.

Many responsible and aware consumers like you choose cruelty-free baby sunscreen products to stand against inhumane animal testing. This choice is more than a personal preference; it’s a gentle nudge to the industry, urging the development of innovative testing methods that do not involve our animal friends. 

 

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

What are the key ingredients to look for in baby sunscreen?

When embarking on your quest for the most suitable sunscreen for babies, prioritising the ingredients is essential. It is recommended that you focus on sunscreens where zinc oxide takes centre stage as an active component. This ingredient is famed for its gentle nature on the tender skin of babies and even older individuals with the same sensitivity. 

To put even more mindfulness into baby sun protection, look for natural zinc sunscreen options and avoid ones with harmful chemicals.

 

How often should baby sunscreen be applied?

To ensure that your baby’s sun protection remains at its peak, reapply every one to two hours or as guided by the product label or personal paediatrician.

There are no waterproof baby sunscreen products on the market, but there are water-resistant options. Still, it’s important to reapply sunscreen after any splashy adventures or bouts of sweating. 

 

What is the recommended SPF (Sun Protection Factor) for baby sunscreen?

Now that you’ve moved past questions like ‘Can babies wear sunscreen?’ it’s time to discuss SPF or Sun Protection Factor. This term might seem intimidating at first, but it’s just an indicator that shows you the sunscreen’s capability to protect you from sunburn. 

In line with this, experts recommend that you opt for a water-resistant and broad-spectrum sunscreen with at least an SPF of 30 or higher for babies six months or older. So why not try Little Urchin?

 

Little Urchin – gentle on the skin yet protects against sunburn

Drawing inspiration from the surprising resilience and adaptability of ocean life, Little Urchin has positioned itself as a leading Australian provider of natural, broad-spectrum suncare and skincare products. 

Just like how sea urchins create their own sunscreen to shield their offspring from harmful ultraviolet rays, our brand offers products that provide your skin with the natural protection it deserves.

Buy baby sunscreen today!

 

*Our ingredients are sourced from nature, and we apply processes to transform them into our final product.