Photostable vs Regular Sunscreen: Does It Actually Matter for Kids?
Sunscreen plays a crucial role in shielding children's skin from the daily impact of UV radiation. But with all of the varieties of sunscreen on the market, parents may ask themselves, "Is a photostable sunscreen for kids just another label?" When it comes to sunscreen, the words "photostable" and "regular" may seem confusing, but they're important words to add to your skincare vocabulary.
Photostability means the stability of some UV filters when exposed to the sun. Good photostability: a reformulated sunscreen to be effective so that all of the photostable UV filters in the product stay that way when exposed to the sun. But knowing whether a sunscreen for children is photostable isn't the only thing to think about when choosing a sunscreen.
In this post, Clariteens breaks down the difference between regular and photostable sunscreen, whether or not photostability is important for children, and what to look for on products you use every day. Our aim is to keep sunscreens as simple as possible so that you can decide what is best based on the product's entire formulation rather than just a label claim.
What Does Photostable Sunscreen Mean?
Photostable sunscreen refers to a sunscreen formulated with UV filters that are designed to remain chemically stable when exposed to sunlight. When sunscreen absorbs UV radiation, some filters can undergo changes that may reduce their effectiveness. For children, this can be a useful consideration because they may spend extended periods playing or participating in outdoor activities. However, photostability does not mean that sunscreen provides unlimited protection or that it never needs to be reapplied.
Why Does Photostability Matter for Children?
Photostable sunscreen for kids is designed to ensure that your UV filters stay active when exposed to the sun. Here are some of the reasons why photostability matters:
1. Helps Maintain UV Filter Performance
A number of these UV filters are vulnerable to chemical alterations in the presence of UV light. Photostable formulations aim to prevent this, in order to keep the performance of the filters in your sunscreen unchanged when in the sun.
2. Supports Consistent Sun Protection
Children could be exposed outside for a long time, and therefore protection is necessary. With good designed photostable sunscreen, its UV filters can keep working as long as it is on the skin.
3. Useful for Active Children
Photostability may be an important formulation attribute of sunscreens designed for this type of exposure, but reapplication should still be recommended.
4. Works Alongside Broad-Spectrum Protection
This is just one aspect of sun protection. When choosing a sunscreen for your children, you should always ensure that it provides broad-spectrum UVA and UVB protection, and an SPF that is suitable for your needs.
5. Diminishes the Significance of Filtration Breakdowns
If a UV filter is not photostable, its stability may undergo a change in performance upon exposure. However, a photostable formulation addresses this concern with the incorporation of a photostabiliser or a mixture of filters and formulation techniques.
What Should Parents Look for in a Kids’ Sunscreen?
It is a mistake to think the only thing that matters when selecting sunscreen is the level of SPF. Other factors, including the type of UV protection (i.e., the filters used), the SPF protection level, the formulation of the sunscreen, and how it is going to be used, can influence the type of sunscreen that will be best for your child.
1. Broad-Spectrum UVA and UVB Protection
A sunscreen should be broad-spectrum to protect your child from both UVA and UVB rays. UVA makes skin age faster, but UVB is the main reason kids get sunburned.
2. Appropriate SPF
When choosing a sunscreen, parents should pay attention to the guidance relevant to their child's age and situation, not just choose the highest SPF.
3. Photostable UV Filters
Photostability is a nice feature when it comes to children who are often outside. Photostable formulations are designed to preserve the UV filters' performance upon sun exposure.
4. Skin-Friendly Formulation
Some cosmetic ingredients may be irritating to children's skin. A parent should use the product that is best tolerated by their child and ensure that the product is applied as directed for age..
5. When necessary, resistant to water and sweat
The push for water resistance: Water-resistant is the preferred descriptor of any sunscreen used while swimming, exercising, or playing sports.
Common Myths About Photostable Sunscreen for Kids
Photo-stable sunscreen is commonly mentioned as an alternative that can be a recommended choice for children when they are outdoors. However, there are many misconceptions that can make it complicated to know what to look for in a sunscreen product.
Myth 1: Sunscreen That is Photostable Does Not Have to Be Reapplied
Fact: It means sunscreens stay on your skin in the sun. Stability under sunlight doesn't mean the sunscreen cannot be wiped or rinsed off, or that it won't be smeared off or rinsed away when you sweat, swim, rub your skin, or towel off.
Myth 2: Sunscreens that are photostable have a high degree of sun protection.
Fact: Sunscreen cannot offer 100% protection from UVs. Photostability refers to how stable the UV filter is when exposed to sunlight and is unrelated to other factors, such as broad-spectrum UVA and UVB, an SPF suitable for your skin, and proper application.
Myth 3: All regular sunscreens expire quickly.
Fact: Not all non-photostable, or "regular", sunscreens perform in the same way. The protective ability of a sunscreen depends on the particular sun filters used and the formulation.
Myth 4: Photostable equals "best" for all children
Fact: Photostability is just one factor to consider when choosing a sunscreen. You and your little one will also want to review the age recommendation, SPF, broad-spectrum protection, ingredients, formulation, and ensure that the sunscreen is pleasant and comfortable on their skin.
Myth 5: Greater SPF Means Less Need for Photostability
Fact: SPF is a measure of the degree of protection against a burn when tested under controlled conditions for UVB rays. This test does not reveal the photostability of single UV filters, nor does it replace the importance of the overall formulation of the sunscreen.
Why Choose Clariteens for Kids’ Skincare Guidance?
Clariteens strives to make the facts accessible for parents so that we are able to make more informed decisions when choosing skincare for our children and teenagers.
1. Focus on Age-Appropriate Skincare
Clariteens provides an age-appropriate approach to skincare and inspires parents to treat the child's skin as per the needs of the individual.
2. Simplifies Complex Skincare Concepts
From things like photostability, etc., to terms like UV filters, reading about sunscreen can be confusing. Clariteens explains what they all mean in simple terms so that you, as a parent, can understand what these all mean for your sunscreen.
3. Encourages Informed Product Choices
Instead of narrowing in on one specific marketing feature, Clariteens offers an all-encompassing education around the branding of sunscreen (SPF, broad-spectrum, photostability, formulation and application).
4. Promotes Healthy Sun-Protection Habits
Tips for protecting yourself in the sun with thanks to Clariteens: SPF – Wear as regularly and as often as necessary. Sun protection from the elements through protection, hats, and shade.
5. Parent-Friendly Skincare Education
Many brands for mature women have been through a long process of product and ingredient development. So people might be looking for simpler guidance on what is suitable for the young skin of children.
Conclusion
Understanding the difference between photostable and regular sunscreen for kids can help parents make more informed choices about sun protection. Photostability refers to how well UV filters maintain their performance when exposed to sunlight, making it a useful characteristic to consider, particularly for children who spend considerable time outdoors.
Sunscreen should also be combined with protective clothing, hats, shade, and other sensible sun-protection practices. With its focus on age-appropriate skincare education, Clariteens helps make technical skincare concepts easier for parents and young people to understand.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. What is a photostable sunscreen for children?
Photo-stable means that the UV filters used in the sunscreen will stay stable and effective in sunlight. Photostability doesn't mean you don't need to reapply.
2. Are photostable sunscreens better for children?
Photostability could be advantageous, especially for kids who will be in the sun a lot. But consider using broad-spectrum protection, SPF, formulation, age appropriateness, and skin tolerance.
3. Do I need to reapply photostable sunscreen?
Yes. Photostability does not guard against removal of the sunscreen due to swimming, sweating, rubbing, or towel-drying.
4. What are the best kids' sunscreens?
Parents may want to consider broad-spectrum UVA and UVB protection, SPF that is suitable for their skin and formulation, UVA filters, the age appropriateness of the formulation, and written directions for use.
5. Why is Sunscreen Not Good For Children?
No. The phrase "regular sunscreen" in itself does not imply the product is not safe or effective. It is a question of which particular filters, complete formula, target age, and use.
6. Can children just use sunscreen to stay protected in the sun?
No. Wearing sunscreen is just one factor in protecting your children from the sun. Seek shade, dress in protective clothing and a hat, and encourage them to stay out of the sun when it's at its strongest.
