Building Sun Safety Into Your Family’s Daily Routine

According to Jennifer Sawaya, M.D., a board-certified dermatologist and fellowship-trained cosmetic and laser specialist at the Center for Aesthetic and Laser Medicine in Scottsdale, Arizona, one of the most common sunscreen mistakes isn’t which product parents choose, it’s how much they’re applying. Sawaya said most adults should use about a full ounce per application, roughly a shot glass’s worth, while children need about half that amount, or a palm-full. She noted that most parents, herself included at times, tend to apply far less than that, particularly on active kids who are difficult to hold still.

Reapplication Matters as Much as the First Coat

Sawaya said reapplication is where sun protection most often breaks down. The general guideline is reapplying every two hours for dry, nonsweating skin, but that window shrinks significantly with water or sweat exposure, sometimes down to every 30 to 40 minutes, depending on the product’s waterproof rating. She said many people are diligent about the first application but lose track of reapplication throughout the day. UPF swimwear and rash guards can help close that gap, she noted, by covering the torso and arms so parents only need to focus reapplication efforts on smaller exposed areas like the face, hands and feet.

Making Sun Protection Part of the Routine

Sawaya recommends treating sunscreen like any other daily habit, brushing teeth, bathing and applying lotion, rather than a special production reserved for beach days. Applying it even before short outings, she said, helps normalize the habit for kids over time. She also encourages leaning on sun-protective clothing and accessories, like hats, and planning outdoor activities earlier or later in the day to avoid peak UV hours between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. Access to shade, water and cool mist sprays during extended outdoor time rounds out her broader approach to keeping kids safe in the sun.