4 Simple Tips to Keep Your Kids Sun Safe This Summer

The KINeSYS community is full of people who are passionate about staying active outdoors. It’s a love that we share with our children, and long summer days are spent exploring trails, down at the lake, or picnicking at local parks. As parents we want to empower our children to play and grow in the outdoors, while also staying safe. When it comes to sun protection this is often more easily said than done. 

Wriggly kids, bursting with excitement to explore, often won’t stand still long enough for proper sunscreen application, or simply don’t like the feel of it. KINeSYS is a small family owned brand, we’re parents too, and we’ve done the sunscreen wrestle more times than we can count. In this SPF Blog we’ll discuss the most effective ways to keep the whole family safe from UV exposure, including the best sunscreen for your kids.

North America's Risk Factor

North America has some of the highest rates of skin cancer in the world, according to the World Cancer Research Fund. In Canada 85,000 cases of skin cancer are diagnosed every year, 1 in 6 Canadians will be diagnosed with skin cancer during their lifetime.

“It’s important to draw attention to the rising incidence and death rates for skin cancer so that we can look at ways to be more effective in tackling this important public health problem. Skin cancer is a largely preventable disease if Canadians use proper sun protection.”

– Dr Prithwish De, Epidemiologist, Cancer Council Society 

Young skin is more susceptible to damage, as kids under the age of 13 have skin that is 30% thinner than adults. Children also spend more time in the full sun and in the water, which significantly increases their UV exposure.  These are the reasons that sun protection is a vital part of any family outdoor activity. 

Top 4 Tips for Protecting Kids from Sun Exposure

We are big advocates for 365 Sunscreen, because sun exposure can be damaging all year round. But in summer sun protection is 100% essential. Here are the top 4 ways to protect kids from the sun’s harmful UV rays.

1. Check the UV levels

Before heading outdoors for adventures and play be sure to check the day’s expected UV levels (yes, even if it’s cloudy!!). Experts suggest that UV levels of 3 or higher pose a risk. So, even if levels appear to be low, it’s important to factor sun protection into your day.

2. Seek shade and time your outings

Where possible, avoid being in the sun at the peak UV hours of the day. Early mornings and early evenings are the best time to be outdoors during summer. When it’s not possible to time your outings for lower UV levels, be sure to seek shade when you can. If playing in the park or heading outside for a picnic, nothing beats the shade of a tree. Taking an umbrella to the beach is another great way to offer some shade to the kids when they’re having a rest.

3. Sun-safe clothing

Be sure to pack a hat and sun-safe shirt for the kids when heading outdoors, and remember to lead by example. If the plan is to enjoy the beach or go swimming, a sun shirt or ‘rash vest’ is a great option. These are lightweight and won’t weigh down your kids in the water. It’s always a good idea to keep a couple of spares handy too, just in case clothing gets dirty, wet, or lost.

4. Sunscreen: Apply, reapply and reapply again

Finally, use a quality sunscreen that’s at least SPF 30. Be sure to apply 20 minutes before your kids head out into the sun, then reapply at least every 2 hours. If the kids are in the water, or sweating, be aware that sunscreen will rub off and lose its efficacy. Use a water and sweat resistant sunscreen, and reapply every 80 minutes, or as directed on the label. Also be sure to reapply after they’ve toweled off from a swim, or even after they’ve been wiping their faces when sweating. Sunscreen can only be effective if it’s on the skin – so apply, reapply, and reapply again!

Best Sunscreen for Kids

What’s the best sunscreen for kids? As we mentioned in our blog The Difference Between SPF 30 and SPF 50, the best sunscreen is the one you love to wear. The same goes for kids. Whether a result of the time factor, the cold spray of aerosols, or the thick oily goop options, kids often dislike the way sunscreen feels when being applied. Our experience as parents, and within the KINeSYS community, is that kids love sunscreen that is quick and easy to apply, that doesn’t irritate, and that feels close to invisible. 

With this in mind we created a range just for kids that ticks all the boxes.

• Goes on Clear! This is probably the thing people love the most about our sunscreen. No white sticky and oily goop here!
• Orange Coloured Bottle. A favorite with kids everywhere, and easy to find in amongst the gym gear, hike pack, or swimming bags.
• Non-Aerosol Bottle. Our bottle is a pump spray. So you won't have that awful cold spray when it's time to apply.
• Fragrance & Preservative Free. Our kid sunscreen is free from fragrances, which is great for sensitive skin and little noses.
• Oil and Alcohol Free. No sticky residue and perfect for people who have sensitive skin. 

“Alright y'all, if you have kids you know how hard it is to get them to wear sunscreen. I am so happy we found this gem! My kids are happy with this stuff and I am too. I love how easy it is to apply and I love that it doesn't leave a sticky, greasy residue. With summertime here this is a must have! Thank you for making such a great product.” 

~ Kayla C.

Our kids sunscreen range is broad-spectrum and SPF 30, which means they protect from both UVA and UVB rays – giving your kids, and the whole family, the best protection from the sun. They come in two great sizes: a 120ml bottle for the whole family, and a handy 30ml travel-size bottle making it easy to take everywhere. 

If your family prefers an all natural option our oxybenzone-free, reef safe SPF 30 Clear Zinc is a favourite among kids. This revolutionary product is great for sensitive skin, as it contains all-natural ingredients, and just like the rest of our range, is non-comedogenic, so won’t block pores or cause irritation. It’s lightly scented with peppermint and rosemary, and easy to apply as it goes on white and rubs in clear. 

No matter how your kids play, KINeSYS has a sunscreen to suit them – and keep the whole family safe from the sun.

What Our Customers Say About Our Sunscreen

“Absolutely in love with this sunscreen for the entire family! It goes on so nicely and absorbs quickly to a completely dry finish - you'd never know you were wearing any sunscreen at all. No stickiness or tightness. I had melanoma as an early adult and was turned onto this product from a friend and will never look back. I recommend it to everyone I know, and they are all Kinesys lovers now too. You will not be disappointed!” ~ Stephanie G.

“My 5yr old is a total KINeSYS fan! She now insists on having either the spray sunscreen or ‘one that smells like peppermint’ (SPF 30 Zinc). Thanks for making our sun routine so enjoyable.” ~ Nell G.