Wirecutter just put up a piece on this, looking specifically at a cute little sponge applicator. Then they reviewed other sunscreens and application choices.
The cute applicator was a FAIL. For effectiveness, for convenience, for hygiene, for kids NOT getting it covered in scratchy sand and pitching a fit on the beach in front of judge-y other families.
I could have told them that, but then they wouldn’t have been able to test out products and recommend them to parents. And I am sure that they need to review a lot of products to keep things going.
What works?
Oh, this is really simple.
And really important:
- You apply lotion on them year ’round. Refine your moves and your prompts in the winter when sunburn isn’t a thing. With them naked. In the house, not on the sand. Where you can afford to clean them and you up if things go south. They could be OK with a stick version on their face but also be fine with lotion on the rest of their body. Which leads us to the next two principles…
- Your most important word is…STOP. As in, stop moving. Now. Turn around to face the wall, and stop in that position. Stop; don’t sit down yet. Your tush is still sticky. A kid who doesn’t listen to you when you tell them to touch the side of the car in a parking lot, a kid who willingly ignores you and walks away from you at the park or in the airport, is a kid who is going to give you a hard time with something they think is pointless. Work on listening skills, including consequences for ignoring you. Things like leaving the park, sitting back inside the car, being carried, going inside, or some other natural consequence. Don’t threaten to take away screens or toys. Take them out of the sun when they want to BE in the sun. This is simple. Just not fun. Most kids really only need to know that you mean business a few times to get it. Things could get loud until they do get it.
- Know your kid. Some kids want to help, some want to be helped. Some kids like the feeling of their skin being rubbed, and some hate it. Some are sensitive to smells, and some insist on the fruity, the coconut, or some other sunscreen smell. Know your kid, and know that using something they hate will make both of you very unhappy. Very.
- Use sun protective garments to minimize how much and how often you have to apply the goo. Buy them in colors and styles that your kid likes. This applies to teens as well. Companies like Coolibar will sell you attractive garments for boys and girls. Not your granny’s sundress or your grandpa’s sun shirt from their African Safari trip…!
