SPF For Kids Can You Use Higher than SPF 50? - Keller,TX

I have also heard that higher than 30 and you are not getting a benefit. Now, things may be changing....so I could be wrong. We don't use higher than a 30. My daughter is 13 and I have used 30 on her.

I do, protect my face and my daughter does the same with zinc oxide. There is a a brand (I forget) out and the formula dries clear. I use it on my face in the morning before moisturizers, makeup, etc. I can tell a difference using the barrier vs spf lotion on my face.

I also have a tattoo that is exposed to the sun and I do not want it to fade because hurt so bad to get it and I can't stand the thought of touch up, LOL. I use the zinc on it as well. It has not faded and I have not had to have touch ups, thank goodness!!

Good luck!

My husband works for a skin care company that makes sunblock for many large retailers. I asked him this question the other day because Coppertone is advertising their spf 70 continuous spray. In the ad was a woman discussing sun damage, but there was also a child in the ad, too.
Anyway, my husband says that their chemist said the reason that kid's sunblock is a lower spf is because kid's skin is super sensitive to the concentration of chemicals required to make the sunblock SPF 70. SPF 30 and 50 have the same chemicals in lower concentrations. If you are concerned that an spf 50 is not strong enough for your daughter, try a sunblock that is considered a barrier sunblock, not a chemical one. You know how lifeguards have white noses (at least they did when I was a kid). They are using a barrier sunblock called zinc oxide. You can research those further to find out what's best for your daughter.
My husband says the biggest fault with chemical sunblocks no matter the spf is not the formulation but the application. You must apply 30 min before going out in the sun. You must reapply as directed on the package. Sweating, waterplay and towel drying can remove sunblock. Be vigilant in the application and the sunblock will work. I have very fair skin, and I don't need anything stronger than a SPF 30 with proper application. My FIL has skin cancer issues, and he uses spf 30 everyday on his face where he needs the most protection. I hope this helps. I have been around this industry for 10 years, so I hope I added some insight.

I would recommend you cover her up as much as possible. Just because you are at the beach or lake doesn't mean she needs to run around in her swimsuit the entire time right? Try going to www.onestepahead.com , they have a lot of cute clothes with extra spf protection. They also have lots of portable sunshade devices.

I once heard that once you get above SPF 35-40, it doesn't really matter because it all provides the same amount of protection. I don't know if that is still the case, but I definitely agree that whatever you use is only as good as how well you apply and reapply it.

They have a sport that is spf 70 It is a sport spray...
I just saw it on tv. I dont know the maker.
I dont think it would hurt.

Trish, I am not sure about the SPF 50..I DO know that Arbonne offers pure, safe, & beneficial (pediatric & dermatologist) tested sun products. The sunblock comes in SPF 15 or 30 & we EVEN have a baby care sunblock. IT WORKS & no problems with unknown health hazards of over the counter products. Please check it out on V..myarbonne.com or the www.arbonne.com site. I would be glad to send you the printed info. so you can read for yourself the danger of OTC sunblocks. Fox 4 news just had a newscast r/t cancer causing agents in OTC sublocks. With Arbonne I don't have to worry, we ALREADY have pure, safe & beneficial products! ###-###-####

Also, for you Trish, Arbonne has an "afterburn" for those of us who get burned & then 'remember' we were suppose to wear sunblock. (I do this at least 1x a year!) It replenishes the skin, keeps it hydrated & decreased the amount of peeling...AWESOME for minor burns of ANY kind.

The higher SPF you get, the more harmful chemicals are put into that sunscreen. The SPF tells you how long you can be in the sun before re-applying. So SPF 50 should be fine. It means you need to re-apply after about an hour in the sun. Make sure you put it on at least 30 minutes before going out, or it will be more likely to come off and not protect as well. We've always used 30 and then just re apply. After 30 is when you start getting the more harmful chemicals in at a heavier level.