The Best Sunscreens

Healthy Kids Sunscreens

When summer is approaching in Australia and New Zealand, I'm aways on the lookout for the best sunscreen to protect you and your children from the strong UV rays and minimise the risk of long-term damage, especially skin cancer.

So, what are my criteria?

SPF of at least 30: This blocks 97% of UVB rays and means it takes 30 times longer to burn compared to not using sunscreen.
No harmful chemicals: Avoid ingredients that could harm children or reefs, especially oxybenzone, which is a hormone disruptor (see the full list of ingredients to avoid below).
Zinc oxide (non-nano) as the only active ingredient: Zinc oxide offers broad-spectrum protection against both UVA and UVB rays and is safe if absorbed through the skin. I avoid titanium dioxide because it can cause skin irritation and has been classified by the IARC as a potential carcinogen.
No ingredients that increase allergy risk: Avoid products that contain potential allergens like coconut or almond oil, which can increase the risk of developing an allergy to these foods when applied to the skin.

Here are my Top 3 Recommendations

Life Basics Facial Sunscreen by Nourished Life
Little Urchin
WotNot and WotNot for Babies

What else do you need to know about sunscreen?

No sunscreen will provide 100% protection, which is why it should be considered a last resort.

The best way to protect your child from sun damage is to cover up or avoid direct sun exposure: wear long sleeves, hats, and stay in the shade. Don't forget UV 400 sunglasses for everyone, including the youngest family members.

I love the new cool options for sunshades at the beach and in the garden, like the easy-to-set-up and beautiful pop-up pyramid. I have one in the clinic garden for your kids to play in.

Avoid the sun when UV levels are high. Use the D Minder App or check UV intensity on your weather app, and avoid the sun when the UV index is above 3. The D Minder App can calculate how long it is safe to stay in the sun based on your location and UV strength, and it will notify you when it’s time to seek shade. We need some sun exposure to produce vitamin D for strong bones, an optimal immune system, and a happy mood. Aim for sun exposure early in the day, before 9 am, and after 5 pm. When UV levels are low enough, you can safely expose more of your body to the sun to speed up vitamin D production.

Additionally (but never as a replacement for the above), you can protect your skin by eating a diet high in antioxidants: berries, pomegranates, carrots, cucumbers, and even oatmeal contain phytonutrients that guard against sun damage. So, eat the colours of the rainbow, ensure you get five servings of vegetables and two servings of fruit per day, drink plenty of water to stay hydrated, and slip, slap, slop to enjoy a safe and happy summer! Where to search for the Latest & Safest Sunscreen Options

You can search for the safest sunscreen options here: Environmental Working Groups database.

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Welcome to the Kids Health Club!

Hello, wonderful parents! Fiona Stock here. your guide and friend. I'm a highly respected Paediatric Naturopath and Children’s Nutritionist. I'm known for my expertise as an educator, mentor, and author, with over 25 years of extensive experience. Throughout my career, I've gained a profound understanding of the unique needs involved in supporting children's health conditions.

My knowledge is enriched by specialised training from the American Medical Academy of Paediatric Special Needs (MAPS) and Gut and Psychology Syndrome, under the guidance of Dr. Natasha Campbell-McBride. You can trust my advice, as I adhere to Australian law and hold registration with both the Australian Natural Therapies Association and the Australian Therapeutics Act.

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