Sunscreen is essential for skin health – but not all sunscreens suit all skin. In my clinic, I often see babies, teenagers, and adults using the same sunscreen for most of their life, then wondering why skin issues like breakouts, congestion, dullness or irritation suddenly appear. Typically, the problem isn’t sunscreen itself, but rather the wrong type of sunscreen for the skin’s current stage of life. Skin changes as we grow. Sunscreen needs to change with it.
Many people believe that higher SPF automatically means better skin protection. While SPF is important, the formulation of a sunscreen often matters just as much.
A good sunscreen should do the following;
- Protect against UV damage
- Support the skin barrier
- Allow the skin the breathe and renew
A sunscreen that is too heavy or occlusive for the skin can;
- Trap oil and dead skin cells
- Slow natural exfoliation
- Contribute to congestion ,acne, or milia.
This does not mean the sunscreen is ‘bad’, it may just mean it no longer suits your skin’s needs.
Babies and Toddlers (0-4years)
Babies and toddlers need stronger protection as their skin is thinner, more permeable, and less able to protect itself. For this reason, sunscreens for young skin are intentionally rich and protective. High-zinc, oil, and wax-based sunscreens act as a physical shield, which is exactly what developing skin needs during outdoor play, swimming, wind and heat exposure.
For babies and young children, protection comes before breathability. This is why thicker mineral sunscreens are appropriate and beneficial at this age.
Best sunscreen style
✔ High zinc (20–25%)
✔ Rich, protective base
✔ Calming natural ingredients
✔ Designed to sit on the skin as a shield
Recommended products
- Eco Bub SPF
- Eco Kids SPF (also suitable for young children)
Children (Primary School Age)
Primary school aged children still have sensitive skin, however, is more resilient than babies and not yet acne-prone.
Best sunscreen style
✔ Zinc-based
✔ Can still be richer
✔ Focus on safety and tolerance
Recommended product
- Eco Kids SPF
Teenagers
Sunscreen often becomes a problem during teenage years as during puberty the skin undergoes major hormonal change such as; oil production increasing, pores becoming more active, and natural exfoliation can slow. A sunscreen that worked well in childhood can suddenly trap oil, block pores, and contribute to blackheads or acne. Teen skin needs protection that can still breathe. For teenagers, especially those with acne or congestion, lighter zinc-based sunscreens or fluid formulation are usually a better choice for the face, while richer sunscreens can still be used on the body.
Best style for teen faces
✔ Zinc-based
✔ Lightweight fluids or lotions
✔ Minimal oils and waxes
✔ Non-greasy, breathable feel
Recommended daily facial sunscreens
- Ultra Violette Lean Screen SPF 50+
- Zinc-based
- Fluid texture
- Low oil load
- No waxy barrier
- Teen-approved cosmetically
- Top pick for school days
- Ultra Violette Clean Screen SPF 30
- Zinc-based
- Very gentle
- Good for younger teens
- Lower SPF but excellent compliance
- Great for sensitive skin or early acne
- Neutrogena Sheer Zinc Face Fluid SPF 50+
-
- Zinc oxide only
- Lightweight
- Widely available
- Minimal ingredient list
- Budget-friendly acne option
Conditional option (only if zinc is not tolerated)
- Aspect Envirostat “On The Go” SPF 50+
(Not ideal for acne-prone or milia-prone teens)
- Chemical sunscreen
- Contains vitamin E
- Still TGA-listed
- Not part of recalled physical range
- Can be used short-term for oily but resilient teen skin
What to avoid on teen faces
✖ Heavy zinc balms
✖ Waxy sunscreens
✖ Oil-rich “natural” sunscreens
✖ Vitamin E–heavy formulas
Teen body sunscreen
✔ Eco Kids or Eco Bub are fine for the body
Adults
Adult skin relies on a natural process called exfoliation, where dead skin cells are shed daily to keep skin smooth, clear, and functioning well. When heavy or waxy sunscreens are used daily on the face, they can trap dead skin cells, reduce oxygen exchange, slow skin renewal, contribute to dullness, congestion, or milia. For adults, the goal is protection without interfering with skin renewal. This means choosing breathable sunscreens for everyday facial use, and reserving heavier, more occlusive sunscreens for beach days, support, or prolonged sun exposure.
Best sunscreen style for adults
✔ Breathable formulations
✔ Lightweight zinc or fluid chemical sunscreens
✔ No daily wax or balm textures
✔ Occlusive sunscreens reserved for beach or sport days only
Recommended adult facial sunscreens (Australia)
- Ultra Violette Lean Screen SPF 50+
- Ultra Violette Clean Screen SPF 30
- La Roche-Posay Anthelios Invisible Fluid SPF 50+
Conditional option
- Aspect Envirostat “On The Go” SPF 50+
(Best for short-term use, not daily congested skin)
Special Skin Conditions
Acne-prone skin
✔ Lightweight, breathable sunscreens
✔ Zinc-based preferred
✖ Heavy oils, waxes and vitamin E overload
Dry or barrier-impaired skin
✔ Some oils can help once congestion clears
✔ Timing matters
Pigmentation or melasma
✔ Zinc-based sunscreens
✔ Tinted formulas with iron oxides
Product Breakdown – Clinical Positioning
Eco Bub
Eco Bub SPF (25% non-nano zinc) is excellent for:
✔ Babies
✔ Toddlers
✔ Young children
✔ Eczema-prone skin
✔ Outdoor / beach / water play
✔ Wind & environmental exposure
🧬 WHY IT WORKS FOR BABIES
- Very high zinc (25%)
- Oil + wax base = strong physical barrier
- Oat, calendula → calming
- Coconut oil → barrier support
- Iron oxides → visible light protection
- COSMOS certified → parent reassurance
This product is exactly what babies need.
The following is why it is not for teen’s faces;
Eco Bub contains:
-
- Sunflower oil
- Jojoba oil
- Coconut oil
- Vitamin E
- Candelilla wax
This creates a thick occlusive shield and is too heavy for sebaceous teen follicles. Although it provides excellent protection, it can trap sebum, increase closed comedones, and worsen acne or congestion, however, is still fine for teen body use.
Eco Kids
Ideal for;
✔ Children
✔ Primary school age
✔ Sensitive skin
✔ Outdoor sport and swimming
✔ Body + face in younger kids
For teens, Eco Kids is better than Eco Bub as it doesn’t contain coconut oil, however, it is still oil and wax-based. Therefore, it is not ideal for daily facial use with acne-prone teens. However, is acceptable for teen body, beach days, and dry, non-acne teens.
It is important to note that oils don’t cause acne on their own. Oils can be helpful for dry or inflamed skin, or problematic when pores are congested. This is why skincare, including sunscreen, should always match your current skin phase, not just the ingredient list. Jojoba oil, however, is unique. It is not a true oil but rather a liquid wax ester, very similar to human sebum. This means it can support barrier repair, calm inflammation, and reduce moisture loss.
A general rule of thumb in understanding oils is that oils can help when;
- Skin feels tight, dry, or compromised
- Acne is inflamed rather than blocked
- There are few closed comedones
- Skin barrier is damaged (over-exfoliation, medications)
Jojoba specifically can be supportive here, especially in low amounts and emulsified formulas.
Oil tends to hinder skin when;
- Acne is comedonal (whiteheads, microcysts)
- Jawline or hormonal congestion dominates
- Skin feels thick, dull, or sluggish
- Perioral dermatitis or milia are present
In conclusion, sunscreen is essential for protecting our skin against the sun. However, the right formulation matters for your skin’s needs depending on age and hormones. Additionally, protection should never block healing. Health skin is protected skin that can still function naturally.
Put simply, little kids need a strong, protective shield. Teen skin needs protection that can still breathe. That’s why we should change sunscreen as our kids grow.
If you are unsure which sunscreen is right for you or your child, personalised guidance can make all the difference which is what I, Naturopath Charmaine D, can provide for you.