Family
What UV index is safe for kids? A parent’s guide
Use the same threshold as adults — protection from UV 3 upwards — but apply it more strictly: children’s skin is thinner, burns faster, and childhood sunburns disproportionately raise lifetime melanoma risk. Babies under 6 months should be kept out of direct sun entirely, relying on shade and clothing rather than sunscreen.
The family rules that matter most
- Under 6 months: full shade, breathable long layers and a brimmed hat. Sunscreen only on small exposed areas if shade is genuinely impossible (NHS guidance).
- Shade and clothing first, sunscreen second. A rash vest and hat protect reliably all afternoon; sunscreen needs perfect application and reapplication.
- SPF 30+ broad spectrum on what clothing doesn’t cover, applied 15–30 minutes before going out.
- Reapply at least every two hours — and immediately after swimming or towelling, which is constant with kids. See reapply timing.
- Time the day around the peak. Playground before 11am, pool late afternoon; picnic in the shade between.
Why children burn faster
Children’s stratum corneum (the outer barrier layer) is thinner and their melanin response is immature, so an exposure an adult shrugs off can redden a child. They also don’t self-monitor — nobody aged six comes inside because they’ve “had enough UV”. The monitoring has to be done for them, which in practice means a parent keeping rough track of several different skin types at once.
How Soleil helps
One outing, every child in view
Family is built into Soleil’s session model. Add a profile for each person you look after — each with their own skin type — then start an outing and record sunscreen, shade, cover and swimming per person. Each child gets their own reapply reminder, because the toddler who just towelled off is not on the same clock as the teenager in the shade.
The You tab shows everyone’s status at a glance, and family check-ins stay on your device — no accounts, no cloud. Pro adds the family’s history over time and a Family status widget.
Related questions
-
What sunscreen should babies and toddlers use?
From 6 months, a broad-spectrum SPF 30–50 formulated for children — mineral (zinc/titanium) formulas are often gentler on reactive skin. Under 6 months, shade and clothing instead of sunscreen, per NHS advice.
-
Do kids need sun protection on cloudy days?
Yes, when UV is 3 or above — most of the UV passes through light cloud, and cool cloudy sports days are classic burn scenarios. Check the live UV rather than the sky.
-
How serious is childhood sunburn really?
Epidemiological studies link even a handful of blistering childhood sunburns to a substantially increased lifetime melanoma risk. Preventing burns in childhood is among the highest-leverage sun-safety actions a family can take.
Soleil is wellness guidance, not medical advice. For sensitive skin or diagnosed conditions, please follow a dermatologist’s plan.