Fun in the Sun Part 1

Things we know about the SUN:

1. The baby oil and tin foil thing was NOT a good idea.
 
2. It’s critical to keep our babies and kids protected from it.
3. The sunscreen aisle is reaching epic proportions which leaves us confused and frustrated. (Sometimes we miss the simple life. See 1.)

Dr. Sandy Skotnicki-Grant, MD, FRCPC, savvy mom of 3, and medical director of the Bay Dermatology Centre, helped us to zero in on this ‘paradox of choice’.

The number one thing we learned is that there are some magic ingredients called Mexoryl SX and Parsol 1789, which are the best UVA chemical sunblocks, as well as Octocrylene which makes sunscreen more effective. Sunscreens with these ingredients receive the stamp of approval from the Canadian Dermatology Association (CDA) and they are clearly marked as such with a nice stamp on the label. The bottom line: you should buy only sunscreens which boast the approval of the CDA. 

Here are the doctor-approved recos for every age and body part, all widely available at major drugstore chains:

Under 1
Under 6 months, NO sunscreen should be used (it’s true). Between ages 6 mos-1 year, if sun exposure is unavoidable, use a titanium-based sunscreen such as Aveeno SPF 50 Cream, Aveeno Baby 45 or Neutrogena® Sensitive Skin Sunblock SPF 30 which are physical blocks and not absorbed into the skin.

For Kids
Ombrelle Lotion SPF 45 or Ombrelle Lotion SPF 30 Kids—both full of all the right ingredients—will do the trick. Kids need sunscreen on their skin not in their eyes. The trick is to use the titanium-only sunscreens or a protective lip balm such as Ombrelle SPF 30 Lip Balm or La Roche Posay Antihelios Lip Balm SPF 50. Swipe around the eyes and forehead area and no more dripping, stinging, burning or screaming.

For Mom’s Face
Do as the French women do and grab yourself something from the LaRoche-Posay line. Hydraphase UV SPF 30 (complete with Mexoryl) for daily use or Anthelios Lait SPF 45>. 

For Mom’s Body
You can share the kids’ sunscreen! Ombrelle Lotion SPF 45 is a great choice for mom too.

A fave at SavvyMom HQ this year is Neutrogena Summer Glow Daily Moisturizer SPF 20—a light ‘colour enhancer’, moisturizer and everyday sunscreen all in one. What could be better for busy moms?

Our savvy skin doc shared some great sunscreen strategies too:

1. Apply sunscreen to your children before they get dressed, then ideally reapply every 2 hours if outdoors.
2. Keep a basket of sunscreen by the door and encourage the kids to reapply when they come in and out.
3. Watch for expiry dates. Last year’s sunscreen may have no active chemicals left.

And no, the electric beach wasn’t a good idea either.

Dr. Skotnicki-Grant can be contacted through the Bay Centre for Dermatology at 416 515 8808.

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