Sensory Help Now

Applying sunscreen to sensory kids and helping them to keep cool in hot weather is vital but often can be a source of summer stress. Children with sensory integration or sensory processing challenges can be tactile defensive - highly sensitive to touch - and, to these children, sunscreen can feel unbearably greasy and heavy on their skin. Children with interoception difficulties (problems interpreting signals coming from inside their bodies) can have trouble noticing when they are too hot or thirsty. We’ve compiled some advice on how to manage the hot weather, taking into account your child’s sensory needs.

Applying Sunscreen to Sensory Kids

The NHS recommends that children wear a minimum of SPF 30 sunscreen lotion applied to areas not protected by clothing, such as the face, ears, feet and backs of hands. But many sensory children (and adults) find both the application and wearing of sunscreen very difficult to tolerate. So how can we make this a more acceptable experience?

Before Applying Sunscreen:

Introduce the routine of applying sunscreen and stick to it. Well in advance of the need to apply sunscreen (eg, perhaps the night before or early in the morning), explain the need for sunscreen (keeping healthy, avoiding painful sunburn) and how you are going to apply it. You could create your own social story around this or look for one online. 

Demonstrate applying sunscreen to yourself and ask your child to rub some sunscreen into your arm - this could be a good way of checking their tolerance to different brands.

Just before you apply the sunscreen, invite your child to do a favourite sensory activity that they find regulating and calming. Bonus points if it's a sensory activity that helps them prepare for being touched such as deep pressure activities, rolling, using weighted items, wearing a sensory body sock, games involving tight hugs etc. Seek advice from a sensory integration trained therapist for activities specific to your child’s sensory profile via the Sensory Help Now Forum.

Choosing a Sunscreen

You know your child’s sensory sensitivities best so start with trialling sunscreens that you think are most likely to be tolerated.

You could try unscented, oil-free sunscreens for a start - try looking in the baby products aisle as these products are often unscented and designed for sensitive skin.

Japanese-style sunscreens are more widely available now and these have a watery-texture (as opposed to a heavy cream) and are oil-free but still have high SPF ratings. 

Consider the application method: children who are tactile defensive may tolerate a spray application better. Other children who like deep-pressure touch might prefer lotion being rubbed in or the use of a roll-on bottle. Children who are sensitive to noises might be upset at the sudden sound of a spray bottle: perhaps a sunscreen stick is better for applying sunscreen to their face. You best know your child and their sensory needs.

A note on powdered sunscreens: dermatologist Marisa Garshick cautions: “In general, people do not apply a thick enough layer of the powder to offer the protection that is on the label“ and that “it is best to use a liquid sunscreen for the whole body and reserve the powdered sunscreen options for reapplication to specific areas.”

Here are some brands that have been recommended to us in the past by our members (NB: we haven’t tested these, have no affiliation with them and this list is by no means exhaustive):

• Aveeno Baby Continuous Protection Sensitive Skin Lotion Zinc Oxide Sunscreen SPF 50
• Shiseido SENKA Mineral WaterSunscreen UV Gel SPF 50
• Banana Boat Mini Baby Sunscreen Lotion SPF 50
• Neutrogena Ultra Sheer Dry Touch Sunscreen SPF 55
• Clinique SPF50 Mineral Sunscreen Fluid For Face
• Neutrogena Ultra Sheer Face & Body Stick SPF 70
• Alba Botanica Clear Spray Sunscreen SPF 50 Fragrance Free

Different products will work for different people. Let us know in the comments if you have found a product that works for your child. 

See NHS advice here on how to apply sunscreen properly, including how often you should reapply and an explanation of what the SPF, UVA and UVB labels mean.

Applying and Reapplying the Sunscreen

Consider the temperature of the sunscreen - applying it straight from the cupboard to warm skin can make it feel uncomfortably cold. Try gently warming the sunscreen to body temperature first by placing it in the sun (but don’t do this with solid sticks which will melt).

It may help to distract your child whilst applying sunscreen: ask them to talk to you about one of their interests or to sing you a song. 

Prepare your child for the fact that sunscreen needs to be reapplied after water play and every 2 hours. You can offer a countdown to reapplication to manage the transition from whatever they are doing. If your child uses a timer in their daily routine, you could set a timer for every 2 hours then they know it’s reapplication time without you breaking the news to them.

Stick to the routine so your child knows what to expect and so you offer safe sun protection.

Keeping Sensory Kids Cool

Working with your child’s sensory needs when choosing a location for summer fun is always going to be the less stressful and more enjoyable experience for everyone. So if sand is going to be a problem avoid the beach and head to a swimming pool (some offer quiet hours). If busy, noisy places are upsetting, can you set up a picnic and paddling pool at home?

Time your activities to avoid being out in the sun when it is at its hottest for your region (in the UK, this is between 11am and 3pm from March to October). 

It’s not all about sunscreen: hats, sunglasses and long clothing also provide protection. Look for items that have an SPF or UPF rating (the higher the better). Children are more likely to wear items that they have been involved in choosing. Consider encouraging them to wear:

• Wide-brimmed hats that will provide shade for heads and shoulders. Hats can be tricky: try offering a choice between two hats rather than a hat or no hat to encourage hat-wearing.
• Rash guard shirts are lightweight athletic tops that offer some sun protection - they can be snug-fitting too for proprioceptive input.
• Long-sleeved tops and long trousers or skirts of a lightweight but closely woven cloth. 
• Sunglasses - the NHS recommends using ones with CE Mark and British Standard Mark 12312-1:2013 E. Again, getting your child to pick out ones they are comfortable in is key.

We’ve also heard of Rit Sun Guard UV Protective Laundry Treatment which claims to increase the UV protection of washable clothes (although not 100% polyester and acrylic fabrics) which may help to add protection to existing favourite pieces. 

Create your own shade with canopies or portable sun protection umbrellas or parasols. Look for ones made from fabric with a minimum of an SPF or  UPF 50+ rating). Pop-up tents with sun protection ratings can be good too but ensure they are well-ventilated as they can act as heat traps.

Some children with interoception difficulties can find it difficult to sense when they are too hot or thirsty. You will need to monitor if they are overheating and keep them hydrated. Here are some ideas: 

• Provide plenty of cool drinks and snacks. Opt for favourite cold snacks that you can be confident will be accepted. You could make a game out of crunching ice chips or involve your child in making homemade ice lollies and frozen fruit.
• Supervise safe sensory water play with your child with a paddling pool or water-filled sensory bin and experiment with finding items that sink and items that float. 
• Have some pre-chilled gel packs (the kind for small injuries) handy for cooling hands and foreheads (wrap in an acceptable textured cloth).
• Cooling neck scarves may help children who like weighted items for proprioceptive input: when soaked in cold water, crystals inside the scarves absorb the moisture. When placed around the neck, evaporation causes a cooling effect. 
• Fill a hot water bottle with iced water and wrap in a favourite snuggly or pillowcase. 
• Experiment if your child likes using a hand battery-operated or rechargeable fan. 

We hope these ideas help!

Have specific questions about this topic? You can put your questions to a sensory integration trained therapist via the Sensory Help Now Forum.