Finding the “right” kind of sunscreen can be hard and confusing, especially if you don’t know what to look for. I did a little research to help educate myself and you Mom’s out there wanting to protect your kids this summer!

What to look for in a sunscreen:

• Something that provides broad spectrum UVA and UVB protection, usually a combination of sunscreen ingredients such as avobenzone, and/or a sunblock, such as zinc oxide and titanium dioxide.
• Has an SPF of at least 15 to 30.
• Is water resistant for swimming and sweaty days.
• Is Hypoallergenic and Fragrance Free, especially if your child has sensitive skin.
• Is in a form that is easy to use on your child, whether that means it is a gel, lotion, spray, continuous spray.

Parent Recommended Brands and Types:
* Banana Boat Baby or Kids Tear-Free Sunblock Lotion, SPF 50
* Banana Boat Baby Faces Sunblock Stick, SPF 50
* Banana Boat Kids Dri-Blok Sunblock Lotion, SPF 30
* Blue Lizard Australian Sunscreen, SPF 30
* Bull Frog Kids FastBlast Sunblock Spray, SPF 36
* Bull Frog “Quick Gel”, Waterproof Non-Sticky
* Coppertone Kids Sunscreen Lotion, SPF 50
* Coppertone Kids Sunscreen Continuous Spray, SPF 50
* Coppertone WaterBabies Sunscreen Lotion, SPF 50
* Hawaiian Tropic Baby Faces & Tender Places Sunblock Spray, SPF 50+
* Neutrogena Waterguard Kids Sunblock Lotion, SPF 70+
* Neutrogena Pure & Free Baby Sunblock Lotion, SPF 60+

Extra Tips & Tricks:

• Apply a small amount to a small area of your child’s skin if you think he might have a reaction to the new sunscreen.
• Remember that a sunscreen isn’t better just because it is more expensive.
• Apply liberally a half-hour before going outside. Use more than you think you should.
• Reapply every two hours. The chemicals that protect you from the sun break down in the sun.
• Reapply after swimming or sweating because water-resistant and sport sunscreens do wash off.
• Throw out sunscreens that are one year old or over. The chemicals that protect you from the sun lose efficacy over time.
• Sunscreen only works if you use it – keep a bottle or travel size, tube or stick everywhere: one in car, purse, diaper bag, stroller, beach bag.