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Q&A on how to protect your child’s skin from UV rays
Because children have weak skin, they are inevitably vulnerable to ultraviolet rays. We asked Wee Chan-woo, director of U&MI Dermatology Clinic, and brand representatives who release sunscreen for children about how to use sunscreen for children, know-how to choose, and cleansing method during the season when activity increases.
Q Does a child’s skin also need sunscreen?
Chanwoo Wi (Director of U&MI Dermatology Clinic) Unlike adults, children’s skin has a weak and sensitive skin moisture barrier because its sweat and sebaceous glands are not yet activated. Compared to adults, the stratum corneum of the skin is thinner, which allows harmful ingredients to penetrate more easily, and the secretion of sebum is less, which often causes skin problems. Additionally, when exposed to ultraviolet rays and pollutants during outdoor activities in the summer, a child’s skin becomes more sensitive and prone to damage than in other seasons. In addition, ultraviolet rays can cause immediate skin damage such as lacerations, but because they have a cumulative effect on the skin, it is recommended to use sunscreen starting from 6 months of age. In other words, it is a good idea to use sunscreen to protect your child’s skin from the external environment during the summer, when skin becomes more irritated by ultraviolet rays.
Q If you look at sunscreens for children, nine out of ten are inorganic.
Hyojun Lim (Ogabebe BM) Sunscreens are largely divided into organic and inorganic sunscreens. Organic sunscreen, which absorbs ultraviolet rays that hit the skin and provides chemical protection, has the advantage of being applied evenly to the skin without causing a white cast, but it may cause allergies in sensitive skin. On the other hand, inorganic sunscreen, which physically blocks ultraviolet rays by covering the skin with a thin film, has the advantage of lowering the risk of allergies and skin irritation because it is not absorbed into the skin. For this reason, I prefer inorganic teas that are less irritating to the sensitive and delicate skin of children.
Q Are there any ingredients I need to check and things to watch out for when purchasing?
Wi Chan-woo Chemical substances that absorb ultraviolet rays include oxybenzone, avobenzone, octyl methoxycinnamate, and octyl salicylate. Among these, oxybenzone and avobenzone cause allergies when absorbed into the skin. In particular, para-aminobenzoic acid labeled as PABA can frequently cause allergic reactions, so be sure to choose a ‘PABA-free’ sunscreen for your child.
Hyojun Lim There are also ingredients to be careful of. Silicone oil. Silicone oil is one of the ingredients commonly used in sunscreen, moisturizing cream, and makeup base because it provides a smooth feel and shine. However, it has the disadvantage of clogging pores and remaining on the skin due to its high persistence even after washing. Therefore, when choosing a sunscreen for your child, it is essential to check whether silicone oil is used. One way is to choose products that contain shea butter and natural oils as alternative ingredients.
Jimin Yang (Physiogel ABM) In the case of infants and young children, the skin is thin and sensitive to external stimulation, so it is recommended to test a small amount on the inside of the wrist before use and check for skin abnormalities such as allergies before use.
Q What is the SPF (ultraviolet protection factor) of sunscreen suitable for children’s skin?
Kangdeok Lee (LG Household & Health Care SUN LAB Chief Researcher by Physiogel) The appropriate product should be selected depending on the situation, such as expected exposure time, UV intensity, and type of activity. The higher the SPF and PA level, the greater the UV protection effect, but it can make your skin more sensitive, so it is best to choose it according to the purpose of use.
Jo Soo-in (I’m Not a Baby Product Development Team) For children aged 3 to 6 who go out for short periods of time or engage in light activities, a sunscreen of SPF 30 or higher is recommended, and for children aged 7 or older who do a lot of outdoor activities and go out for long periods of time, a sunscreen of SPF 40 to 50 or higher is recommended.
Q If a child is very active and sweats a lot, the sunscreen will likely be easily removed by sweat.
Wi Chan-woo The recommended amount of sunscreen is about 2 mg/cm. When applying to the face, it is appropriate to apply an amount about the size of a finger for adults and about 3 peas for infants, excluding the area around the eyes. Don’t forget to apply sunscreen 20 to 30 minutes before going out for it to be evenly absorbed into the skin and be effective. When doing outdoor activities, reapply sunscreen every 2 to 3 hours, and use waterproof products when sweating a lot or playing in the water.
Q Even children can see dark spots or freckles under their eyes and cheekbones.
Wi Chan-woo Of course, ultraviolet rays affect children’s skin. There are also reports that people who are exposed to a lot of ultraviolet rays before the age of 20 have a higher incidence of skin cancer than those who are not. Additionally, when exposed to ultraviolet rays, our bodies produce melanin pigment to combat ultraviolet rays, and as a result, even young children can develop pigment diseases such as freckles and blemishes.
Q Can freckles and pigmentation that already appear on my child’s face be taken care of if I consistently use sunscreen?
Wi Chan-woo Unlike adults, children’s skin recovers quickly. In most cases, if you block UV exposure, your skin will quickly return to its original state. If you use sunscreen consistently, you can also expect it to prevent new pigments from forming.
Q What method is best for cleansing children?
assistant When using a facial cleanser specifically for children, we recommend pumping one more pump than usual, gently massaging it with your fingertips, and then wiping it off with lukewarm water. However, if you have a child who has difficulty washing their face on their own, you can also apply cleanser to a gauze, lather it up, wipe every corner of the face, and then finish by wiping it once more with a clean gauze.
Wi Chan-woo Most children’s sunscreens are made with hypoallergenic ingredients, but since the sunscreen ingredients themselves do not moisturize or nourish the skin, separate cleansing is necessary. Additionally, sunscreen ingredients remaining on the skin may combine with fine dust and harmful substances to cause skin problems, so double washing is essential on days when sunscreen is used. However, excessive stimulation during the cleansing process can worsen sensitive skin, so applying a lot of lotion that your child usually uses, wiping it off with a tissue or gauze, and then using a baby cleansing product is a way to wash your child’s skin without irritating them.
