Suntan Lotion versus Sunscreen
Updated June 11, 2014.
Written or reviewed by a board-certified physician. See About.com's Medical Review Board.
What is the difference between suntan lotion and sunscreen? Can I use my suntan lotion on my kids?
For proper sun protection, parents should apply a broad-spectrum sunscreen with an SPF of at least 15 to 30 whenever their kids will be out in the sun.
You won't find any products claiming to be suntan lotions anymore. Instead, a product that is considered to be a suntan lotion is usually a sunscreen with an SPF of less than 15.
These 'tanning' sunscreens, which typically have an SPF 4 to SPF 8, do not provide enough sun protection, especially for kids.
Some dark tanning oils do not even contain any sunscreen ingredients and may even include a tanning accelerator.
Suntan lotion products and tanning oils include:
Since they don't provide enough sun protection, instead of a suntan lotion or tanning oil, kids should only use a sunscreen that provides broad spectrum UVA and UVB protection and:
Sources:
Ramirez R. Practical guide to sun protection. Surg Clin North Am - 01-FEB-2003; 83(1): 97-107.
US EPA. Sun. The Burning Facts. September 2006. Accessed July 2010.
Written or reviewed by a board-certified physician. See About.com's Medical Review Board.
What is the difference between suntan lotion and sunscreen? Can I use my suntan lotion on my kids?
For proper sun protection, parents should apply a broad-spectrum sunscreen with an SPF of at least 15 to 30 whenever their kids will be out in the sun.
Suntan Lotion
You won't find any products claiming to be suntan lotions anymore. Instead, a product that is considered to be a suntan lotion is usually a sunscreen with an SPF of less than 15.
These 'tanning' sunscreens, which typically have an SPF 4 to SPF 8, do not provide enough sun protection, especially for kids.
Some dark tanning oils do not even contain any sunscreen ingredients and may even include a tanning accelerator.
Suntan lotion products and tanning oils include:
- Bain de Soleil Mega Tan Sunscreen With Self Tanner, SPF 4
- Coppertone Sunscreen Lotion, SPF 4
- Banana Boat Dark Tanning Oil Spray (Contains No Sunscreen)
- Banana Boat UltraMist Continuous Spray Sunscreen, Deep Tanning Dry Oil, SPF 8
- Hawaiian Tropic Dry Oil Clear Spray Sunscreen, SPF 6
- Panama Jack Trophy Oil, Full Sun Continuous Oil Spray (Contains No Sunscreen)
Suntan Lotion versus Sunscreen
Since they don't provide enough sun protection, instead of a suntan lotion or tanning oil, kids should only use a sunscreen that provides broad spectrum UVA and UVB protection and:
- has an SPF of at least 15 to 30. You could go for a higher SPF, but most experts believe that they don't provide that much extra protection. Some experts go as far as to say the SPF rating should be capped at SPF 30, which provides protection against 97 percent of UVB rays. Using a high SPF sunscreen might provide more protection for those parents who don't use enough sunscreen and don't reapply it often enough though.
- is water resistant. Even if you aren't going swimming, if your child is outside, he will likely be sweating, so a water resistant sunscreen might provide better protection than a regular sunscreen.
- is hypoallergenic and fragrance free, especially if your child has sensitive skin.
- is in a form that is easy to use on your child, whether that means it is a stick, gel, lotion, spray, or continuous spray, etc.
Sources:
Ramirez R. Practical guide to sun protection. Surg Clin North Am - 01-FEB-2003; 83(1): 97-107.
US EPA. Sun. The Burning Facts. September 2006. Accessed July 2010.
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