We’re in the thick of summer now, pool days, camp, backyard sprinklers and weekend trips down the shore. With our kids outside more than any other time of year, our group chats have been full of the same question: which sunscreen should we actually be using, and are we doing this right?
We went straight to the experts at Concierge Pediatrics, a Short Hills, New Jersey pediatric practice, to get clear, no-nonsense answers. Here’s everything you need to know, broken down so you can skim for exactly what you’re looking for.
Why It Matters
Skin cancer in kids is rare, but the sun habits we build now protect them for life. The knowledge gap here is bigger than most people realize: a survey from the American Academy of Dermatology Association found that 71% of Gen Z young adults are unfamiliar with the risks of sunburn. And many people don’t realize you can get sunburned on a cloudy day so daily protection matters, not just on obvious beach days.
Used consistently, a broad-spectrum SPF 30+ sunscreen can:
- Reduce the risk of skin cancer
- Prevent sunburn
- Decrease signs of aging like wrinkles
- Reduce dark spots
“Broad-Spectrum” and “SPF” and What They Actually Mean
Broad-spectrum means protection from both UVA rays (drives wrinkles and aging) and UVB rays (causes sunburn and most skin cancer).
SPF is not a timer. This is the #1 myth to unlearn. SPF reflects how much solar energy it takes to burn protected skin, not how many minutes you’re safe outside. Sun intensity changes throughout the day, so an hour outside at 9am can equal roughly the same UV exposure as 15 minutes at 1pm. Location, skin type, and reapplication frequency all matter too.
Bottom line: Look for broad-spectrum, SPF 30 or higher, every time.
What’s Actually In Sunscreen
Sunscreen ingredient lists can look like a chemistry exam. Here are the active ingredients you’ll commonly see on labels, all classified by the FDA as “generally recognized as safe and effective” (GRASE):
- Aminobenzoic acid
- Avobenzone
- Cinoxate
- Dioxybenzone
- Homosalate
- Meradimate
- Octocrylene
- Octinoxate
- Octisalate
- Oxybenzone
- Padimate O
- Ensulizole
- Sulisobenzone
- Titanium dioxide
- Zinc oxide
A little regulatory background, if you’re curious: the FDA is responsible for making sure sunscreen products sold in the U.S. are safe. The 2020 CARES Act updated how the FDA regulates drugs like sunscreen. At one point the FDA proposed that only zinc oxide and titanium dioxide should keep GRASE status, but the CARES Act’s final report kept the original 1999 list of all 16 ingredients above as GRASE.
In 2026, the FDA also approved a new chemical sunscreen ingredient for the first time in 25 years: Bemotrizinol (BEMT). Unlike some older chemical filters, it doesn’t break down when exposed to sunlight, which many see as a meaningful upgrade, chemical sunscreens are often more comfortable and less visible on skin than mineral ones.
What to Look For on the Label
Keep it simple, three things:
- Broad-spectrum
- SPF 30+
- Water-resistant
Bonus tip: Consider avoiding sunscreens with oxybenzone when you have the choice. It’s an approved, effective ingredient, but some evidence links it to hormone disruption in children. That said, any sunscreen beats no sunscreen, so don’t stress if it’s all you have on hand.
On the EWG report: Every year, the Environmental Working Group (EWG) an advocacy organization that lobbies lawmakers on public health and agricultural policy publishes a sunscreen safety report. Their 2025 report reviewed roughly 2,200 products and recommended about 500 of them, citing concerns over the health and environmental effects of certain chemical filters. It’s a genuinely useful resource, but their methodology and conclusions are sometimes considered controversial in the scientific community, and their standards don’t always line up with the FDA’s. Both the EWG and the FDA agree on one thing, though: zinc oxide and titanium dioxide are effective and environmentally friendly, and the best sunscreen is the one you’ll actually wear and reapply consistently.
Mineral vs. Chemical Sunscreen
Mineral (zinc oxide, titanium dioxide): Sits on top of skin and reflects UV rays. Not absorbed into the bloodstream, gentler on sensitive skin, the go-to for babies and young kids, and better for ocean/marine life. Can feel a bit heavier or sticky.
Chemical (oxybenzone, octinoxate, etc.): Absorbs into skin to filter UV rays. Still FDA-backed and effective; some parents just prefer mineral for younger, more sensitive skin.
Reapplication Rules
Reapply:
- Every 2 hours, no matter what
- After sweating (sports, playground time)
- After swimming
- After towel-drying (this can wipe off sunscreen even if it’s water-resistant – water-resistant ≠ waterproof)
How to Apply It Right
- Apply about 15 minutes before heading outside
- Use about 1 ounce to cover the body
- Don’t forget commonly missed spots: scalp, ears, tops of feet, behind the knees, and along swimsuit or strap edges
- Lips need protection too, apply sunscreen directly or use an SPF lip balm
What About Vitamin D?
Sunscreen does reduce vitamin D absorption, which matters here in the Northeast where deficiency is already common. The good news: it’s about balance, not avoidance.
- April–October, most kids get what they need from about 15–30 minutes of everyday sun exposure
- Vitamin D also comes from food: salmon, eggs, and fortified milk, cereal, or orange juice
- Concerned about levels? Ask your pediatrician before starting any supplement
The “Base Tan” Myth
A base tan does not protect skin from future burns, it’s already a sign of skin damage. This is one of the most common misconceptions out there: a study from the American Academy of Dermatology found 40% of young adults ages 18–25 were unaware of tanning risks, and 59% believed common tanning myths, including that a base tan prevents future sunburn. The only real protection is prevention from the start, not a pre-summer tan.
If Your Child Gets a Sunburn
For a mild sunburn:
- Aloe vera to cool skin and reduce peeling
- Cool compresses
- Acetaminophen for discomfort, per package instructions
Call your pediatrician if you see:
- Blistering
- Fever, chills, nausea, or vomiting
Who Needs Sunscreen?
Pretty much everyone, all skin tones, all ages, with one exception: babies under 6 months. Their skin is too sensitive for sunscreen. Keep infants that age out of direct sun and rely on shade and lightweight clothing instead.
Darker skin tones are less likely to burn, but skin cancer risk is still real. Sunscreen still belongs in the routine.
Other Easy Sun-Safety Habits
- Avoid peak sun hours, 10am–3pm, when possible
- Seek shade when you can
- Wide-brimmed hats and tightly woven, cool clothing help a lot (many swimsuits now have built-in sun coverage)
- Reapply every 2 hours
- Keep kids hydrated
Mole Check: The ABCDE Method
Keep an eye on moles using this checklist:
- Asymmetry- the two halves don’t match
- Border- edges are irregular or jagged
- Color- uneven, multiple colors, or changing color
- Diameter- larger than a pencil eraser (about 6mm)
- Evolving- any noticeable change over time
If a mole checks any of these boxes, have your pediatrician or a dermatologist take a look.
The takeaway: Sun safety doesn’t mean keeping kids indoors all summer. A few simple habits, broad-spectrum SPF 30+, reapplying every 2 hours, a hat and some shade, and keeping an eye on moles go a long way.
Concierge Pediatrics serves families in New Jersey and on Long Island with year-round care, including sun safety and skin health guidance. Learn more here.