Skin Care for Kids

Remember how smooth and soft your skin was as a child? There are a lot of tips and skin care products that help adults protect and take care of their skin, but really, good skin care habits should start when kids are young. Whether your kids are spending a day in the sun or getting ready for school in the morning, you should integrate these helpful tips to keep your kids skin as smooth as a baby's bottom.

Protection Against the Sun

Whether they’re frolicking in the surf or playing in the backyard, it’s important to protect them from the harmful ultraviolet (UV) rays of the sun.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), too many hours outdoors and/or a few serious sunburns may increase your child's risk of skin cancer when they’re older.

 The CDC recommends the following:

• Slather some sunscreen on your kids – at least SPF 15 and UVA and UVB (broad spectrum) protection before they head outside (even if it’s cloudy) and reapply it if they swim or sweat.
• Dress your children in hats and clothing that protect them from the sun’s UV rays. Keep in mind that baseball caps do not provide protection to the neck and ears, so apply sunscreen to those areas.
• Protect kids’ eyes with wrap-around sunglasses that block both UVA and UVB rays.
• Seek shade when possible if you and your children are outdoors between 10am and 4pm – when the sun’s rays are strongest.

Healthy Skin Habits 

You should also help your kids develop good skincare habits, if you haven’t done so already. Consider the following suggestions:

• Ages 2-5: Teach them the importance of washing their face and hands with a soft washcloth and a “gentle wash,” and follow this with a “lightweight lotion.”
• Ages 6-9: Emphasize the benefits of consistent skincare routines, including face washing and the use of a “lightweight lotion.”
• Ages 10-13: Remind them that a healthy diet and proper skincare can help with the changes their bodies – and their skin – are undergoing during puberty.

Talk to your health care provider about protecting your kids as they enjoy the outdoors this summer and throughout their lives.