7 sun safety tips for families

UK sun safety for families

With 2025 already seeing some seriously high temperatures and two of the sunniest months on record here in the UK, sun safety has never been such a hot topic! That's why for 2025, we decided to get involved with a campaign that's close to our hearts: Sun Awareness Week.

To help spread awareness and educate our guests ahead of the May half term and summer holidays, we teamed up with sensitive skin experts Childs Farm and their dermatologist ambassador Dr Anita to bring you expert advice on staying safe in the sun, especially on a UK staycation. Of course, we want you to stay safe all year round, which is why it's important to follow these tips no matter the season.

Keen to get your family sunshine-ready for summer? Scroll down to read Dr Anita's 7 top tips for looking after your skin in the UK sun.

1. Apply SPF every day, all year round - even when cloudy

This is one that often catches people out, especially on a cool or cloudy day in the UK. You might think that because you can't see the sun, it isn't there, but Dr Anita explains:

"I advise people that ‘sun protection’ should be used every day, all year round, regardless of the weather. Ultraviolet (UV) rays are present all year round and their harmful effects on skin are well studied. Not only is UV damage responsible for around 80% of premature ageing, it also increases your risk of skin cancer. Even on cloudy or cooler days, UV rays can penetrate through clouds and reach your skin, which means you can still suffer skin damage without realising it. These are often the days where people are caught off guard and get sunburnt. I remind my patients that it is important to remember that UV rays can harm your skin, even when the sun is not visible."

2. Apply enough sunscreen all over – use two fingers’ worth per body part

How much sunscreen each person applies seems to be about as personal as their coffee order, when in fact, there's an easy 'two finger rule' we can all follow, according to Dr Anita:

"Whether you are an adult or a child the general guidelines for sunscreen application are similar. Sunscreen should be applied to all exposed areas including the face, neck and ears. I recommend applying it 15-30 minutes before sun exposure to allow absorption. In terms of using the correct amount of product, for the face, the ‘two finger rule’ can be a helpful guide. Apply a line of sunscreen along the length of your index and middle fingers and apply this to the face and neck. The ‘two finger rule’ can also be used for other body areas: apply two fingers to the right arm, left arm, upper back, lower back, right upper leg, left upper leg, left lower leg and right lower leg, including the feet."

3. Always reapply sunscreen after perspiring, swimming or towelling

So, you've gone to all that effort to apply your sunscreen properly, following the 'two finger rule', only to get a nasty case of sunburn later that day. Even if you've been diligent about applying your sunscreen, it's important you still keep it topped up throughout the day so as not to lose that all-important protection! When out in direct sunlight, you'll generally need to reapply sunscreen every 1-2 hours, and always after perspiring, swimming or towelling. Keep in mind that applying a reduced quantity will lower the level of protection significantly.

Dr Anita adds: “The same rules apply for adults and children, however, children may require more frequent reapplications as they might be more active in play, and in and out of pools.”

4. No sunscreen blocks UV 100% - use other methods too like protective hats & clothing

To understand this one better, we first need to understand what SPF actually means. Dr Anita explains:

"SPF stands for 'Sun Protection Factor' and measures the level of protection that a sunscreen provides against UVB rays. SPFs are rated on a scale of 2 to 50+, based on the level of protection that they offer. The number relates to the portion of UV rays that are blocked from the sunscreen. For example, SPF 50 means that the sunscreen reduces the amount of UV rays that make it to your skin by 1/50, which equates to around 98% protection."

But what's the difference between the SPF and the UV star rating? Are they the same thing? Dr Anita clears things up:

"Pay attention to both the SPF and the star factor because the SPF measures UVB protection and the star rating indicates UVA protection. The more stars, the better protection it provides. A high SPF with a low star rating may not provide comprehensive protection against all harmful UV rays. For children, I recommend products that are 50+ with a 5 star rating, and Childs Farm has a range of products that work well for the whole family."

So, if you choose a high SPF and a high star rating, are you completely protected in the sun? Sadly not.

"It is important to remember that no sunscreen can block 100% of UV rays, so additional sun protection measures are also necessary."

5. Check UV index on your weather app – even when overcast UV rays can still be strong

We've already explained that sun protection shouldn't be overlooked, even when it's cloudy and the sun isn't visible. But is there a way to tell if the UV rays are strong on days like these? Dr Anita advises to check the UV index to find out:

"You can check the UV index daily via weather apps, online weather services or government websites that provide daily updates. I find the weather app on my phone particularly helpful as it also guides you on humidity and air pollution in your area too. The UV index ranges from 0 to 11+, with a value of 3 or higher indicating a risk of harm from unprotected sun exposure."

6. Look for a sunscreen expiry date or period after opening symbol – always follow the usage instructions

We're all guilty of this next one: our suncream has been hidden away in a cupboard or drawer since last summer (or perhaps even longer), and at the first sign of sunshine the following year, we whip it back out and start using it again. Not a problem, right? Well, that depends... Dr Anita says:

"Most sunscreen products typically last for about three years unopened but it can vary based on the specific product and the brand. Check the expiry date on your products and also the ‘period after opening’ (PAO) date which tells you how long a product can be used after opening. I recommend marking this date on your packaging to ensure that you discard it after this point. Signs that sunscreen may no longer be effective include changes in texture, colour or smell. If the product separates or has an unusual consistency, it’s best to discard it and replace it with a new product."

7. Follow NHS guidance & keep infants under 6 months in the shade

If you're out and about in the sunshine with your little ones, it can be tricky to know if the same rules apply to babies, children and adults. So, we asked Dr Anita if there is a safe age to start applying sunscreen, and if there are any special formulas to look out for:

"The NHS guidelines recommend avoiding sunscreen in infants under 6 months, emphasising the importance of sun avoidance during this age and keeping babies in the shade. For children over 6 months, fragrance-free SPF products are advisable, and I advocate for those specifically formulated for sensitive skin, such as the Childs Farm range, which has been clinically proven to be gentle on sensitive skin and dermatologist approved and tested. Their SPF 50+ formulations are fast-absorbing, water-resistant and provide up to 24 hours of moisturisation, making them suitable for daily use. In addition to their sun protection efficacy, these formulations include hydrating ingredients like glycerin and vitamin E."

Stay safe in the sun this summer

So there we have it - 7 top tips on sun safety from Dr Anita and Childs Farm. We hope you're now feeling informed and confident on how to look after your family's skin in the UK sun, for the summer holidays and beyond!

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