Whether they’re playing in the park, splashing around in the pool or building sandcastles by the sea, most children live outdoors over summer.
But while they're busy having fun, their skin is exposed to the sun's harsh ultraviolet rays.
Whatever age your child, you’ll know the importance of slathering their skin with sunscreen before they bound outside, and reapplying it every two hours.
But what about after the sun sets? This is where after sun, a much-overlooked element of sun care comes in.
“Children's maturing skin barrier is much more susceptible to the harmful effects of UV rays than adult skin,” shares Dr Anita Sturnham, an experienced GP specialising in dermatology. “Ultraviolet rays and pollutants can enter into the skin easily, and a weaker immune defence system results in the UV rays causing more skin problems, even when they’ve been wearing sunscreen,” she warns.
Should I be using an after sun cream on my child’s skin?
Despite diligent sunscreen application, sun exposure can leave young, delicate skin feeling irritated, dry and, in unfortunate cases, sunburnt.
“The skin tries to counteract potential UV damage by producing melanin pigment to absorb and scatter the UV radiation. The blood vessels in the skin widen to increase blood flow and release heat, while the skin’s immune cells produce inflammatory chemical signals. This inflammatory response helps to repair damaged cells and remove harmful agents from the skin. This process can make the skin dry, inflamed, red and sensitive,” explains Dr Sturnham.
After sun products are formulated to soothe skin and reduce irritation and can also repair and rehydrate the skin barrier.
What to look for when shopping for an after sun product for kids
“Ingredients to look for in a children’s after sun product are soothing and calming aloe vera, hydrating humectants like hyaluronic acid and glycerin, plus moisturising agents such as cocoa or shea butter. Chamomile and oat extract can reduce redness and irritation, while niacinamide and vitamin E protects and repairs the skin from free radical damage,” advises Dr Sturnham. Try to pick formulas that are hypoallergenic and dermatologist or paediatrician-approved.
When should I use after sun cream on my child?
After sun products can be applied immediately after sun exposure and throughout the day as needed. If you’re in a hot climate, use after sun cream at the end of the day on clean skin. “I recommend bathing or showering your child with a gentle, non-fragranced body wash. Pat the skin dry and apply after sun to damp skin to replenish lost moisture and soothe any irritation,” says Dr Sturnham.
Best kids after sun products at a glance
- Best for kids with sensitive skin: Childs Farm After Sun Lotion Organic Coconut - £4, Amazon
- Best for younger children: Dr Barbara Sturm Baby & Kids Body Cream - £40, Barbara Sturm
- Best for irritated skin: Green People Organic Children Aloe Vera Lotion & After Sun - £12, Amazon
- Best for the whole family: Avene After Sun Restorative Lotion - £15, Lookfantastic
- Best for teens: Sun Bum Cool Down Aftersun Spray - £17.99, Lookfantastic
- Best for instant cooling relief: E45 Sensitive After Sun Gel - £12.99, Boots
- Best for long-lasting hydration: Aveeno Kids Face & Body Moisturising Lotion - £6.49, Superdrug
- Best for fast absorption: Ultrasun After Sun - £22, Space NK
- Best for dry skin: Evy Technology Aftersun Mousse - £17.60, Face The Future
- Best for allergy-prone skin: La Roche Posay Anthelios Post-UV Exposure After Sun Lotion - £17, Sephora
Shop now
Childs Farm After Sun Lotion Organic Coconut
Best for: Kids with sensitive skin
If you’re looking for an after sun lotion that's gentle enough for sensitive skin or little ones with eczema, look no further.
This after sun formula is suitable for newborns upwards. It has a light, fast-absorbing texture, which is soothing and nourishing thanks to the added aloe vera, vitamin E, cocoa and shea butter. The organic coconut fragrance is subtle and instantly puts you into a holiday mood.
It also boasts a dermatologist and paediatrician stamp of approval, giving you peace of mind that your child's skin is in safe hands.
Affordable and readily accessible, it’s packed into a 100ml tube, which is ideal for short trips where you’re only taking hand luggage.
Buy now £4.00, Amazon
Dr Barbara Sturm Baby & Kids Body Cream
Best for: Younger children
While it’s not labelled as an after sun, Dr. Barbara Sturm’s body cream is loaded with calming ingredients to provide abundant moisture and much-needed relief to delicate infant skin that’s been exposed to sun.
Perfect for ages three months to ten years, the lightweight, fragrance-free cream feels more like a lotion and it blends in beautifully. It’s packed with skin-soothing ingredients - marigold extract repairs, chamomile extract reduces redness and jojoba and sweet almond oils lock in moisture.
Skin is left feeling soft, soothed and comfortable. While this cream offers effective care, it’s worth pointing out that the price for the 50ml tube is on the steep side, and it may not see you through a two-week summer holiday.
Buy now £40.00, Dr Barbara Sturm
Green People Organic Children Aloe Vera Lotion & After Sun
Best for: Irritated skin
Even the most meticulous sunscreen users can fall victim to sunburn. This cooling lotion for the face and body is filled with natural, anti-inflammatory ingredients to soothe and heal. Aloe vera not only calms inflamed skin but also relieves peeling and itching, both common symptoms of sunburn.
The added calendula provides an extra layer of calming relief, shea butter deeply hydrates and myrrh oil - an anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial and astringent ingredient helps accelerate skin healing.
The non-sticky formula is infused with a soothing lavender aroma making it a great addition to pre-bedtime routines. The lotion is certified organic, vegan-friendly, eczema-friendly, dermatologically tested, plus it’s suitable for children of all ages.
Buy now £12.00, Amazon
Avene After Sun Restorative Lotion
Best for: The whole family
This after sun lotion is recommended for children aged two and above. Perfect for the face and body, it’s fortified with mineral-rich thermal spring water, known for its skin balancing and soothing properties, along with hydrating and restorative jojoba oil.
It has a weightless, milky texture that melts into the skin, quickly calming sun-exposed areas and leaving skin feeling comfortably cool.
Suitable for children and adults, it comes packed into a large 200ml tube, making it a great option for families wanting to pack light for holidays. Plus, if you have any left over, it can be doubled up as a daily moisturiser when you get home.
Buy now £15.00, Lookfantastic
Sun Bum Cool Down Aftersun Spray
Best for: Teens
This convenient sprayable after sun makes application a breeze, and is a game-changer for those who dread rubbing in lotions and creams.
The dermatologically-tested formula is packed with soothing aloe vera to calm the skin and prevent peeling. Plus, there’s vitamin E to replenish and repair skin that has been exposed to chlorine, saltwater and sunbathing. Skin feels silky soft and refreshed after a quick spritz. Some may find the oil-based mist greasy, while others will appreciate the radiant sheen it leaves behind.
It has a subtle, cucumber scent and the quirky, unisex packaging is sure to be a hit with all the kids in the family.
Buy now £17.99, Lookfantastic
E45 Sensitive After Sun Gel
Best for: Instant cooling relief
If you’re not fond of lotion and cream-based formulas, this ultra-lightweight gel texture is worth a try. E45’s family-friendly after sun gel includes vitamin B5 to soothe and repair the skin barrier as well as glycerin to lock in moisture.
It sinks in rapidly, which is handy if you’ve got fidgety kids on your hands. It also lives up to its claim of cooling and calming the skin within 60 seconds, making it a must for speedy relief on-the-go. For an extra cooling effect, pop it into the fridge before use.
The gel is fragrance-free, allergy-certified, and dermatologically tested, ensuring it’s safe for all skin types, including kids with skin sensitivity and eczema.
Buy now £12.99, Boots
Aveeno Kids Face & Body Moisturising Lotion
Best for: Long-lasting hydration
Designed specifically for kids’ developing skin, this gentle face and body lotion is clinically-proven to soothe and nourish, making it perfect for use on children after a day out in the sun. It's non-greasy and requires minimal rubbing in, making it a fuss-free choice to apply to delicate young skin.
The star ingredient is oat kernel flour, which is high in proteins and lipids to relieve dryness and itching. It quickly replenishes moisture, leaving skin super calm, comforted and hydrated for hours.
It has a subtle scent and is paediatrician and dermatologist-tested, making it suitable for sensitive skin.
Buy now £6.49, Superdrug
Ultrasun After Sun
Best for: Fast-absorption
This Swiss-developed after sun is housed in a convenient pump dispenser, making it an absolute delight to use. Recommended for children aged 3+, the gel-like texture sinks in quickly, which is a must for those with wriggling preschoolers.
This after sun has been a bestseller for years thanks to its impressive formula, which includes Aquarich, a blend of moisturising and anti-inflammatory agents like amino acids and oats that deliver intense hydration, while aiding its recovery after time in the sun.
The added superoxide dismutase acts as a free radical scavenger while providing a long-lasting cooling effect, essential for fast relief in hot, sticky climates. Perfect for sensitive skin, it can also be used to relieve minor burns.
Buy now £22.00, Space NK
EVY Technology Aftersun Mousse
Best for: Dry skin
With a unique mousse formula this after sun feels luxurious, spreads easily and absorbs quickly, leaving no residue behind. Plus, a little really does go a long way which is good news when you’re considering a higher price point like this.
It’s worth the cost though: the ingredients are pretty impressive. The cooling aloe vera offers an instant cooling effect, while ginkgo biloba, shea butter, urea and canola oil help to intensely soothe, hydrate and nourish the skin.
Parents will appreciate knowing that this after sun has been dermatologically tested, it’s hypoallergenic, and free from preservatives and fragrances - so it’s unlikely to irritate little ones with sensitive skin.
Buy now £17.60, Face The Future
La Roche Posay Anthelios Post-UV Exposure After Sun Lotion
Best for: Allergy-prone skin
La Roche Posay’s Anthelios range has long been favoured by dermatologists for its trusted suncare formulas.
This hydrating after sun lotion is dermatologist-approved, paraben-free and has been specially formulated for sensitive skin and those prone to conditions like atopy. When applied to the face or body, the milky texture blends in beautifully, with little rubbing.
Recommended for use after a bath or shower, the added shea butter and soothing thermal spring water get to work quickly to replenish dryness and to relieve any uncomfortable tight, itchy and tender patches. Skin feels healthy and hydrated well into the night.
Buy now £17.00, Sephora
Verdict
If you're looking for an effective after sun solution for newborns upwards, Childs Farm After Sun Lotion Organic Coconut is filled with all the right ingredients to soothe and protect children's skin after sun exposure.
Its cooling, calming, and comforting properties make it a reliable after sun lotion for kids, and at just £4 for a 100ml tube, it won’t break the bank.
