Sunscreen - Orlando,FL

I think that the kids stuff is a bit more gentle for the little ones. However not a big enough difference for me to care. I buy whatever broad spectrum high SPF is the best deal. Except for my face (and my kids' faces). I go really high end there. The feel of sunscreen on my body is not my fave but I can deal with it. That same feeling on my face I can not handle. I did a sampler from Sephora on year and fell in love with a really high end face cream. It is for beach days and all day sun days and I reapply and it is my favorite. For daily use I have a different highend cream that I use. For my body again it is whatever is a good deal. Although I did smell that shimmer hawaiian tropic (that has higher SPFs available now!) and I am thinking I want to give that a go (for the smell!).

My dermatologist said to buy the Neutrogena sunscreen with HELIOPLEX. It does not specify if its for kids or adults, but he said it has to have a physcial blocker to work. He also said it needs to be a high number, I think I bought spf 50. He said the waterproof ones don't work as well, and that you have reapply. I don't know if this is really answer to your question, but it is information for you anyway.

PS my mom paid $25 for the kind from her dermatologist that mine also sells, but he said the Neutrogena works just as well if not better, and is only 10 bucks. Also, remember that it expires and should be thrown away.

I think the "kids stuff" sometimes smell better or may be higher spf. We use Sun Shades for our whole household. Hubby likes the spray, I prefer the lotion.

Hi.
I think it depends. I would go to the Environmental Working Group Website which rates all of the sunscreens for effectiveness.
Our favorite is the mustela for babies which I also use.
jilly

I *think* the kid's stuff is supposed to be gentler on skin... less irritation or something? I don't know, I usually use a tear-free one because my DD loves to rub her eyes after I use it on her, and they are usually 'kid' versions.

I know that SPF up to 30-45 is petty efficient at blocking UV rays, and that the higher SPF does block more, BUT the 'extra' amount it blocks is pretty much trivial enough that it really isn't worth spending extra on.

I think the kids sunscreen has less fragrance and other additives that make it more marketable for adults. How many of us smell Coppertone products and don't go back to our youth and get that warm fuzzy feeling in our hearts about fun in the sun, suntan oil, playing in the water with our BFF's in high school.

They market those adult items for the adults who have the money. I think if you read the ingredients you might find out what is different but I suspect it would be the fragrances and stronger softening agents.

For some reason it seems the kid's sunscreen is gentler on the skin, so I use it on me and my little guy. But I've used the regular one on him and had no problem, and am careful to keep any kind away from his eyes.

I have used adult sunscreen on my kids and there has been no effect on them no allergy,no sunburn,it doesn't burn their skin.I use the spray or lotion.We go through sunscreen so fast I buy the 5.00 spray at Walmart and with all 3 it's gone so the lotion goes a longer ways they don't like it but thats all the complaint I get

Ask your pediatrician. Mine says there is no difference, and that any # over 30 is meaningless.

the kid/baby typically has fewer harsh chemicals in the inactive ingredient list. many times the same formulation is marketed different ways - for example, one brand has "sensitive", "baby", and "kid" and they all have the exact same ingredient list in the exact same order with the exact same % on active ingredients!

my kids have very sensitive skin so I've never even tried anything but baby or sensitive products on them.

as another poster said, check the EWG's website to find the safest sunscreen/sunblock for your needs.