Ultimate sunscreen guide: How to choose the right SPF for your family

When it comes to protecting your family’s skin, sunscreen isn’t just a summer essential — it’s a year-round necessity.

Sun exposure adds up over time, increasing the risk of skin cancer later in life. That’s why establishing good sun-safety habits from an early age is crucial.

Navigating the sunscreen section at the store can be overwhelming. What’s the difference between mineral and chemical sunscreen? Will SPF 50 protect me better than SPF 30?

In this guide, we’ll cover how to choose the right sunscreen for you and your family, how to use it properly, and how to make sun safety a stress-free part of your routine.

Understanding UV radiation: UVA vs. UVB rays

Before diving into sunscreen specifics, it’s important to understand what you’re protecting against. The sun emits two types of ultraviolet (UV) radiation that reach our skin and can damage cells: UVA and UVB.

UVA rays penetrate deeply into the skin and are mainly responsible for premature aging and wrinkles.

UVB rays damage the outer layers of your skin and are the primary cause of sunburn and most skin cancers.

However, either type can contribute to skin cancer, so choosing a broad-spectrum sunscreen that protects against both types of radiation is essential.

Is sunscreen safe?

With the safety of sunscreen being a hot topic in the news in recent years, parents might be concerned about its potential toxicity.

While there is no medical evidence that sunscreen causes cancer, there is proof that UV rays and tanning beds do cause cancer, making sunscreen use far more beneficial than risky.

Chemical vs. mineral sunscreens

The active ingredient in sunscreen can be categorized into two types: chemical and mineral.

Chemical sunscreens contain ingredients like oxybenzone, octinoxate or avobenzone that penetrate the skin and absorb UV rays. Your body then converts them into heat that’s released from the body. These formulations tend to blend into the skin.

Mineral sunscreens (also called physical blockers) contain zinc oxide or titanium dioxide and sit on the skin’s surface, physically reflecting UV rays away from the body. While they may leave a white cast on the skin, mineral sunscreens are recommended for children — they aren’t absorbed by the skin, they’re less likely to irritate sensitive skin and they typically contain fewer ingredients.

“It’s important when choosing a sunscreen for your child to select one with physical blockers, and it should be at least SPF 30 and broad spectrum,” says Andrea Donalty, MD, medical director of Mary Bridge Children’s primary care network.

You may also want to avoid sunscreens that contain fragrance or parabens, as those ingredients can affect sensitive skin.

Does an SPF higher than 30 protect you better?

SPF 30 blocks 97 percent of UVB rays, while SPF 50 blocks 98 percent. Anything beyond SPF 50 will provide only marginally better protection. No sunscreen can block 100 percent of the sun’s UVB rays.

In addition, all SPF levels last the same amount of time, so using a higher-number SPF does not mean you can spend more time in the sun without reapplication.

Can I use expired sunscreen?

Sunscreen degrades over time. While expired sunscreen won’t harm you, it won’t be effective. Be sure to check the date on your bottle.

Proper storage is equally important. Keeping sunscreen in hot cars or direct sunlight can cause its active ingredients to break down before its expiration date.

Tips for applying sunscreen on wiggly kids

Getting sunscreen on a squirmy toddler isn’t always easy, but there are ways to make it more manageable.

Make application fun by turning it into a game, singing songs or using a makeup brush for gentle application.

“Modeling desired behavior (i.e., putting sunscreen on yourself) is another strategy to get kids to wear their sunscreen,” Dr. Donalty adds.

Also, different formats can work better for different situations.

“Before heading outside, apply a full coverage of lotion,” says Erin Summa, MPH, health promotion manager for Mary Bridge Children’s Center for Childhood Safety. “Then consider sticks and sprays for reapplication, as they can be easier and faster.”

Don’t forget spots like ears, scalp, tops of feet and back of the neck. And be sure to apply enough — it’s a frequent mistake to skimp on sunscreen.

“Use enough to adequately cover the skin,” Dr. Donalty advises. “Remember to reapply at least every two hours (or more often if you’re in the water or sweating a lot).”

Beyond sunscreen

Dr. Donalty advises that in addition to sunscreen, it’s also important to seek shade during peak UV hours (typically 10am to 4pm) and wear protective clothing, wide-brimmed hats and UV-blocking sunglasses.

Sunscreen is not recommended for babies under 6 months of age, so keep your baby out of direct sunlight as much as possible and use those same additional protective measures.

Building habits year-round

Remember, sun protection is needed year-round, not just during beach vacations, and should be part of your daily routine.

By understanding what to look for in sunscreen, applying it correctly and combining it with other sun-safety practices, you’re giving your family the best defense against sun damage and skin cancer. The habits you establish today will protect your children’s skin for decades to come, making those few extra minutes of application time an investment in their long-term health.