If you read my blog regularly, you’ll know that I don’t review children’s sunscreens often. I don’t have children of my own, so its a bit hard to meaningfully use XYZ sunscreen.
However, my 3 year old niece has been using this sunscreen on her face and arms for the past 6 months and I am happy to report there are no major issues with this product.
Why is sunscreen for kids so critical?
Sun damage is cumulative and individuals on average will experience close to 25% of their lifetime sun exposure by the the age of 18. This translates into one in five Americans getting skin cancer. Regular use of sunscreen from childhood along with adopting sensible sun protection measures, should therefore, reduce the likelihood of an individual getting skin cancer
Sunscreen test
As this is a product for babies, I use a stricter sunscreen test than I do for adults. However, as with adults, the sunscreen must be at least SPF 30.
This is mainly because Young children have a larger ratio of skin surface to body volume than adults, which can increase a child’s systemic exposure to topically applied drug products. Also, their skin is thinner so the will absorb everything you slap on. And to be clear, sunscreen is nothing more than a bunch of chemicals that is designed to absorb, reflect and scatter UV radiation.
The only sunscreen filter this product has is 20% non-nano Zinc Oxide. Zinc Oxide is a broadspectrum filter providing protection against over-exposure from UVA and UVB. It also has a long-track record of safety and is not absorbed by the skin. This does not have nano-Zinc Oxide because its quite chalky. The product has no artificial fragrance. I’ve included fragrance because this is one of the most common skin irritants, especially for children.
This product also does not have BHA, BHT, parabens, Oxybenzone or any of the listed chemicals. You can find out more about the the “dirty dozen” chemicals at the David Suzuki foundation.
Features of this product
- Non-irritating to the eyes (given how many times I have managed to rub this sunscreen into my niece’s eyes)
- Does spread easily because of the aloe vera and sunflower seed oil.
- Does (unfortunately) leave a slight white cast
- Faint smell of lavender owing to the lavender oil. Does not smell chalky.
- Retail price is US$ 23 for 2.5oz (75g)
Finally…
Sunscreen should always be seen as supplementing sun protection for children. Protective clothing (especially swimwear), hats, not being outside during peak UVR hours are more effective for kids, as sunscreen will come off.
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1 thought on “erbaviva baby sunscreen SPF 30 product review”
Have tried sebamed for my daughter total waste of money ,she get more sun tan after the application .will try the other ones .