With temperatures gradually rising, the high-temperature sunscreen season is also approaching. As the consumer market matures and outdoor activities become more popular, sunscreen scenarios are becoming more refined, with children gradually becoming a key user group for sunscreen products.
In the face of the rapidly growing market, parents, as the main consumer group, still have many doubts: Can children use sunscreen? Are the sunscreen ingredients currently on the market safe? Can adults’ sunscreen be used on children?
Based on this, Hi!PaPa, the leading brand in children’s sun protection, has joined forces with Dingxiang Doctor to research the understanding and misconceptions of over 1000 parents regarding children’s sunscreen. They have also gathered the expertise of authoritative pediatric and dermatological experts to jointly release China’s first Child Sun Protectio Guide (Guide). The aim is to protect children’s healthy skin while providing parents with scientific protection knowledge.
Authoritative popularization of children’s sunscreen, breaking 7 misconceptions
In recent years, the demand for children’s sunscreen products among new-style parents has gradually escalated to become a necessity. Infant and child sunscreen has entered a period of rapid growth. According to data from the iResearch Lightweight Outdoor Industry White Paper, the current number of lightweight outdoor enthusiasts in China has reached 500 million. Particularly, the outlook for sunscreen demand related to outdoor parent-child scenarios is promising, leading to the increasing popularity of children’s sunscreen products in the market.
Although the concept of sunscreen is well-established, a significant portion of educational efforts has primarily focused on adult sunscreen use, leaving a gap in comprehensive education on children’s sunscreen. The Guide found through a survey of 1086 mothers that parents hold seven major misconceptions regarding children’s sun damage:
31% of parents believe that sunscreen is unnecessary and that sunlight is beneficial for children’s growth;
24% of parents believe that children’s fast metabolism means that their skin will quickly return to its original color after tanning;
46% of parents believe that children’s sunscreen contains chemicals that can penetrate the skin and affect skin health;
76% of parents believe that using sunscreen clothing and hats is sufficient;
59% of parents find sunscreen inconvenient to use and have concerns about its thickness and white residue;
16% of parents believe that it is acceptable to use adult sunscreen on children; Additionally, 54% of parents only remember to apply sunscreen to their children when going to places like the beach where exposure to intense sunlight is expected.
From the data, it’s evident that many parents have significant doubts about the necessity of children’s sunscreen, as well as the safety and usability of sunscreen products. This lack of understanding can lead to neglect in protecting children’s skin.
Children’s skin is more delicate, they spend more time exposed to sunlight, and they are more likely to experience “sun damage.” Research indicates that there are differences between children’s and adults’ skin, making children potentially more susceptible to sun damage than adults. The Guide also reveals that childhood and adolescence account for only 33% of life before the age of 60, yet the amount of UV exposure received before the age of 20 contributes to approximately 50% of the total UV exposure by the age of 60.
As a result, the impact of sunlight on children’s skin is more significant. According to research data, 97.2% of children have experienced sun damage due to sun exposure. Among them, sunburn, tanning, sunburn, and sun sensitivity are the four main issues. These phenomena indicate that the skin barrier of children has been compromised.
It is worth mentioning that sun damage in children may also lead to cumulative damage, making the skin more prone to problems such as acne, freckles, and melanoma in adulthood. Research from the World Health Organization indicates, “Children’s skin is more sensitive to ultraviolet radiation, and the longer the skin is exposed to sunlight from an early age, the longer the cumulative sun damage.” At the Third International Conference on Allergic Skin Diseases, experts also pointed out based on adult data that ultraviolet radiation can directly or indirectly cause photosensitive skin diseases, such as sensitive skin and acne.
The Guide mentions that the period from 0 to 12 years old, when children’s skin barriers are developing, is crucial. Therefore, childhood is a critical period for protecting against sun damage, and parents and society should enhance their emphasis on children’s sunscreen to help children establish a healthy skin foundation during the period when their skin barrier is not yet fully developed.
Following the three core standards for safe and effective sun protection
Given the unique physiological characteristics of children’s skin, sun protection during childhood becomes particularly important. So, how can sun protection be safe and effective?
The Guide points out that, by adhering to the ABC sun protection principles, ensuring effective sun protection for children is not difficult. Specifically, A refers to avoiding direct sunlight exposure, especially during the period of 10:00-16:00 in the summer when UV radiation is strongest; B suggests implementing physical sun protection measures such as using umbrellas, wearing sunglasses, and wearing sun hats; C involves using sunscreen. When prolonged sun exposure cannot be avoided, parents can apply sunscreen to their children to achieve comprehensive sun protection.
At the same time, different activities require different sun protection strategies. For example, for daily activities, parents can choose sunscreen with an SPF of 30 for their children; while in outdoor settings, wearing sun-protective clothing and hats, along with using water-resistant and sweat-resistant sunscreen with an SPF of 30-50, is recommended.
As mentioned earlier, sunscreen is an important part of the overall sun protection strategy for children. So, how should one choose a suitable sunscreen for children?
In response to this question, the Guide provides the three core standards for reassurance, peace of mind, and convenience. First, in terms of safety, when purchasing sunscreen for children, parents should look for the “Little Golden Shield” logo for children’s cosmetics. It is advisable to choose products with non-nano ingredients to avoid absorption risks. Additionally, it’s best to select products that have passed acute eye irritation tests to reduce discomfort when sweating.
Secondly, in terms of effectiveness, it is essential to pay attention to two core indicators: SPF value and PA value. SPF represents the protection against UVB rays, generally indicating the ability to prevent sunburn. Typically, an SPF value of 30 is sufficient for daily life. PA value represents the protection against UVA rays, usually indicating the ability to prevent tanning. Specifically, PA+ indicates basic UV protection, PA++ indicates moderate protection, and PA+++, and PA++++ indicate high protection. However, in practical life, the effectiveness of sun protection products is not solely determined by numbers. Higher sun protection indices also imply a heavier burden on the skin. Therefore, the Guide suggests considering specific application scenarios when choosing suitable sunscreen products for children.
Additionally, in terms of user-friendliness, the Guide points out that choosing a sunscreen with a good skin feel can increase the willingness of parents and children to actively use sunscreen. Consumers can evaluate this aspect from two perspectives. In terms of formulation, products that incorporate moisturizing agents such as Centella asiatica extract, licorice extract, and vitamin E may reduce the heaviness of the sunscreen. Technologically, some new children’s sunscreens distribute sunscreen agents more evenly, reducing the thickness and white residue.
Undoubtedly, the release of the Guide holds significant implications for children’s skincare brands and numerous consumers alike. On one hand, consumers can understand how to effectively protect their children from sun damage safely. On the other hand, the three core standards of the Guide will encourage brands to continuously improve their products, leading to the development of higher-quality children’s sunscreen products.
Iterating children’s sun protection technology to become a leader in children’s sun protection
As a new and innovative children’s skincare brand, Hi!PaPa was founded in 2019 and emerged as a pioneer in the domestic children’s sunscreen category. From the outset, Hi!PaPa recognized the new opportunities in the children’s sunscreen market, leading with the specialized research and development of the Little Snow Mountain sunscreen lotion, continuously strengthening its research and development capabilities.
As of now, Hi!PaPa’s research and development system has gradually improved. Data shows that in 2023, Hi!PaPa’s total number of self-developed patents increased by 48% compared to the previous year, the total number of joint research and development patents increased by 70%, and the total number of sunscreen repair patents increased by 58%. Furthermore, the Xihe Laboratory, as the first domestic research laboratory for children’s sun protection research, boasts a research team composed of a group of doctoral teams from Tsinghua University and renowned experts from home and abroad. The senior research and development team alone exceeds 60 members, marking a new milestone in research and development capabilities.
According to the brand, leveraging the Xihe Laboratory, Hi!PaPa has achieved three breakthroughs in children’s sun protection technology. A notable example is the recently launched Hi!PaPa Little Light Shield Sunscreen Essence (nicknamed “Little Light Shield”), developed by the three core standards. On the Tmall platform, it’s noteworthy that Little Light Shield ranks among the top performers in Tmall’s baby sunscreen bestseller list, favorable review list, and repurchase list.
