We Ask a Dermatologist: What’s the Difference Between Child and Adult Sunscreen?

Sunscreen is a must, but is having a separate sunscreen for kids really necessary? We asked a board-certified dermatologist for some clarification ahead.

Dr. Dendy Engelman, MD, FACMS, FAAD, is a board-certified dermatologic surgeon at Shafer Clinic Fifth Avenue in New York City. Dendy attended Wofford College and received a B.S. from the Medical University of South Carolina. She completed her residency at Mount Sinai Hospital in Dermatology and her Mohs fellowship at the Medical University of South Carolina. She is a Mohs surgeon and media expert who specializes in medical and cosmetic dermatology, and has recently served as the Director of Dermatologic Surgery at New York Medical College, where she trained future Mohs surgeons and dermatologists.

“You absolutely do not need to buy separate formulas for different members of the family. In fact, I often tell my patients to buy the baby versions for their personal use,” says Engelman.

In a nutshell: Not much. Though most “kids’” or baby sunscreens tend to be physical (aka mineral) because they’re less likely to cause irritation. 

The main difference between chemical vs. physical (aka mineral) sunscreen is how it lays on your skin—chemical sunscreen absorbs into skin, while physical sits on top. Both have their pros and cons, but barring any skin sensitivities or ingredient preferences, as an adult, it usually comes down to personal preference. For kids, however, physical/mineral sunscreens are often recommended.

On that note, the best form of protection for your little one is limiting their time in the sun, especially during peak hours. Per the American Academy of Pediatrics, infants younger than six months should be kept out of the sun entirely and older children should limit direct sun exposure between the hours of 10 a.m and 4 p.m.

Their skin might get irritated. Kids have thinner, more absorbent skin, which is why Dr. Engelman recommends a physical formula (which sits on top of skin to deflect UV rays) over a chemical one (which is absorbed into the skin) to be extra safe.

Yes, but only if it’s a mineral or physical formula, says Engelman. “You want something that’s formulated with either zinc oxide, titanium dioxide or a combination of the two,” she explains. So, look for those two ingredients and make sure that it offers broad spectrum (or UVA/UVB) protection of at least 30. Some of our favorite adult brands that are totally safe to use on children include Alba Botanica Sensitive Fragrance Free Mineral Sunscreen ($12) and Cetaphil Sheer 100% Mineral Liquid Sunscreen ($12).

Yes, adults can use kid or baby sunscreen, and as noted above, Engelman often recommends her patients do just that because they're usually made with ingredients that are less likely to cause irritation.

Unfortunately, no. There are children’s sunscreens out there that contain chemical blockers like avobenzone, oxybenzone and octinoxate. And though the FDA is still in the process of updating its regulations for sunscreen safety, for now, the only two ingredients that have been deemed safe are zinc oxide and titanium dioxide. Some solid kid-marketed suggestions that meet this criteria: Thinkbaby Safe Sunscreen SPF 50+ ($23) and All Good Kid’s Sunscreen Lotion SPF 30 ($15). 

Currently, the three types of sunscreens that are FDA-approved for sale in the U.S. include:

• Physical (aka mineral) sunscreens, which contain active ingredients like zinc oxide and titanium dioxide that reflect the sun’s rays.
• Chemical sunscreens, which contain active ingredients like avobenzone and oxybenzone that absorb the sun’s rays.
• Combination sunscreens, which have both physical and chemical UV filters to keep your skin protected.

However, it should be noted that as of writing, the FDA only acknowledges zinc oxide and titanium dioxide as GRASE or "generally recognized as safe and effective."

Per the agency, "There are 12 additional ingredients with insufficient safety data to make a positive GRASE determination at this time." These 12 ingredients are as follows: cinoxate, dioxybenzone, ensulizole, homosalate, meradimate, octinoxate, octisalate, octocrylene, padimate O, sulisobenzone, oxybenzone, and avobenzone.

As the FDA gathers additional safety information on these additional ingredients, they advise that we all continue to use a broad spectrum sunscreen of SPF 15 or higher, but also incorporate other protective measures like wearing UPF clothing that adequately covers the arms, torso and legs, wearing sunglasses and a hat that provides adequate coverage to the whole head and seeking shade or limiting exposure to UV rays during periods of peak sunlight (10 a.m. to 2 p.m.)

Our Executive Editor, Alexia Dellner, recommends Aveeno Baby Continuous Protection Sensitive Skin SPF 50 ($13) because she can use it on her kids "from when they're teeny tiny to toddlerhood and beyond." She adds, "It meets the EWG's safety criteria, which is a definite bonus." The formula is also free of fragrances, parabens, dyes, and phthalates, and it has the National Eczema Association's Seal of Acceptance. Some other family-friendly suggestions include: Thinkbaby Safe Sunscreen SPF 50+ ($23) and All Good Kid’s Sunscreen Lotion SPF 30 ($15). 

Study the ingredient label on a bottle and you'll find that there's no real difference between kid and adult sunscreen. Instead of looking strictly for sunscreens that are marketed towards kids, make sure to also take a closer look at the ingredients (as outlined above) and consistently reapply it (every two hours if you or your kid is outdoors).