You’ve done the research. You know why mineral sunscreen is the safest choice (Week 1) and you’ve learned how to decode the label like an expert (Week 2). You’ve chosen the perfect, toxin-free sunscreen for your family.
But let's be honest, the final hurdle is often the trickiest: actually getting it onto your wriggly little ones correctly.
With the September school holidays just around the corner here in Victoria, our days are about to be filled with more park trips, beach adventures, and backyard fun. Now is the perfect time to master the art of application. Here are five of the most common sunscreen mistakes and simple, tear-free ways to fix them.
Mistake #1: Not Using Nearly Enough
This is the number one mistake we all make. A quick, thin smear just doesn’t provide the advertised SPF protection. So, how much is "enough"?
The Fix: Follow the Teaspoon Rule.
The Cancer Council has made this easy for us. The official recommendation for an adult is 7 teaspoons (35ml) for a full-body application. For kids, you can adapt this simple guide:
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1 teaspoon for the face, neck, and ears.
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1 teaspoon for each arm and leg.
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1 teaspoon for the front of the body.
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1 teaspoon for the back.
It might feel like a lot, but proper coverage is what guarantees that SPF 50+ protection.
How Much is Right for a Child (0-6 years)?
For a toddler or young child, a full body application will use about 4-5 teaspoons (20-25ml). It’s important to note that for infants under 6 months, the best sun protection is shade and clothing, with sunscreen used only on small, exposed areas when necessary.
How Much to Stock for the Holidays?
Let’s do some quick mum-math. If one full application for your child is about 20ml, a 70g (approx. 70ml) tube of KidsBliss sunscreen contains about 3.5 full applications.
If you're applying sunscreen once in the morning and reapplying once during the day (the minimum for a day out), you’ll use two applications per day. This means one 70g tube will last you just under two days of holiday fun.
Our Tip: For a week-long holiday or a busy summer month, having 2-3 tubes on hand is a smart way to ensure you never run out when you need it most.
Mistake #2: Applying It at the Beach
We’ve all seen it: the family arrives, throws down the towels, and then starts the sunscreen chase. The problem is that by the time you’re at the beach or park, your kids have already had significant sun exposure during the car ride and walk from the car.
The Fix: Apply 20 Minutes Before You Leave Home.
Make sunscreen application part of your "getting ready to go" routine. The best time is right after they're dressed (or even before you put their t-shirt on to get great coverage around the collar). Applying it in a calm, familiar environment without the distraction of sand and water makes it easier and ensures the protection is active the moment they step outside.
Mistake #3: Missing the Sneaky Spots
It’s easy to cover the big areas like backs and tummies, but the sun finds the spots we forget. The most commonly missed (and sunburnt) areas are the ones that are small and tricky to get to.
The Fix: Create a "Sneaky Spot" Checklist.
Before you let them run off, do a quick final check of these often-forgotten spots:
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The tips and backs of the ears.
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The back of the neck, especially under the hairline.
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The part in their hair.
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The tops of their feet and ankles.
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Under the edges of their swimmers or shirt sleeves.
Mistake #4: Forgetting to Reapply
A single application in the morning won't last through a day of holiday fun. Sunscreen wears off, especially with swimming, sweating, and towel drying. "Water resistant" doesn't mean waterproof.
The Fix: Set a Two-Hour Timer.
The golden rule is to reapply at least every two hours. Crucially, you also need to reapply immediately after swimming, sweating heavily, or towel drying, regardless of when you last put it on. Set an alarm on your phone as a simple reminder to call everyone out of the water for a quick re-slop.
Mistake #5: Making It a Battle
If sunscreen time is a daily struggle filled with tears and negotiations, you're not alone. But it doesn’t have to be a fight.
The Fix: Make It a Fun, Tear-Free Ritual.
A few simple mindset shifts can turn the sunscreen slog into a fun routine:
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Give them a role: Let them be the "dot-maker." You give them the sunscreen, and they put dots on their arms and legs, which you then get to rub in.
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Use a special tool: A soft, dedicated makeup brush for applying sunscreen to the face can feel like a fun face paint session and avoids getting it in their eyes.
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Sing a song: Create a silly "sunscreen song" that you only sing during application time.
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Lead by example: Apply your own sunscreen at the same time and talk about how good it is to protect your skin. Let them "help" you apply yours.
By making the process a positive and connected moment, you build a routine that will stick with them for life. With these simple fixes, you can head into the school holidays confident that your family is not only using the right sunscreen but using it the right way.
Stock our Bulk Buy with 15% off discount today: https://kidsbliss.com.au/products/kidsbliss-bulk-buy-baby-kids-mineral-sunscreen-spf-50-3-pack
