How to Keep your Family Sun Smart This Summer

With the Australian summer only weeks away, and beach time, barbeques and family excursions on the horizon, it's time to start thinking sun smart! 

To keep your your family safe during these balmy days, sunscreen is top of the must-have list, and there is a lot more you can do to stay protected from harmful UV rays.

Read on for our top tips for how to keep your family sun-safe this summer.

How To Keep Your Family Sun Smart This Summer

Which Sunscreen Should I Choose?

Banana Boat, the iconic suncare brand trusted by Aussies for decades, has just unveiled its new Moisturising Sunscreen Lotion SPF 50+ range — designed specifically for people with dry to normal skin. Combining the very best in sun protection and skincare, these lightweight formulations provide 12-hour moisture and are ideal for everyday use.

The Banana Boat Moisturising Sunscreen Lotion SPF 50+ is a body sunscreen infused with Aloe and Glycerin, giving your skin that much-needed hydration without the greasy feel. Plus, it’s 4-hour water-resistant, which is perfect for those active days at the beach or pool.

The Banana Boat Moisturising Face Sunscreen Lotion SPF 50+ works under makeup is fragrance-free and is non-comedogenic, meaning it won’t clog your pores. It’s an ideal everyday option for skincare lovers who want to keep their face protected.

So, you’re not just blocking harmful UV rays — you're also giving your skin the nourishment it needs to stay soft, smooth, and hydrated!

Sun Safety With Ash Barty

Former World No. 1 tennis player Ash Barty knows a thing or two about the importance of sun protection. Ash, born and raised in Queensland, grew up in the sun-drenched Aussie climate, and learned early on how to protect her skin while staying active outdoors — lessons she carried with her throughout her tennis career.

Ash is the face of the new Moisturising Sunscreen range and is also supporting the Banana Boat Sun Safe School Program, an initiative designed to educate Aussie kids about the importance of sun safety. As the brand ambassador for this program, Ash is helping to spread the word and equip school teachers with resources to teach students how to protect themselves from the sun.

Top 5 Tips for Sun Safety

Here are our top tips for keeping your family protected from harmful UVA and UVB rays this summer and beyond.

1. Reapply Sunscreen Every 2 Hours

It might sound obvious, but when it comes to sun protection we’re not taking anything for granted! Reapplying sunscreen is super important, especially if you’re swimming at the beach, hitting the pool, playing sports, going for a walk or anything else that’ll cause you to sweat. To ensure you stay well protected, you need to reapply your SPF every 2 hours to all exposed skin.

2. Wear a Broad-brimmed Hat, Sunglasses and Protective Clothing

We’re sure you already know this, but just in case, it’s important to remember that sunscreen is just one part of sun protection. If you’ve ever had a really bad case of sunburn, even if you were regularly applying your sunscreen, you may not have considered doing these other things! Make sure you wear a broad-brimmed hat and, sunglasses, and stay out of direct sunlight. If you’re at the beach, a sun umbrella is ideal to keep you protected.

3. Don’t Skip The Sunscreen If You’re Pregnant!

For the expecting mums reading this, please don’t skip sunscreen! Pregnant women are just as susceptible to sunburn and the dangerous effects of UV radiation as non-pregnant women and need to apply sunscreen. This also includes breastfeeding women, but if you have any specific concerns, please talk to your doctor.

4. Avoid Prolonged High-risk Sun Exposure

The UV index ranges from 1 (low) to 11+ (extreme) and is updated by the Bureau of Meteorology throughout the day with real-time information. Check the daily UV Index and try to avoid exposure when the UV range is at its highest. Sun protection is recommended when the UV Index is 3 or higher. Don’t forget, you can still get burned on cool or cloudy days – it’s the UV rays, not the temperature, that pose the risk.

5. Make Sure You’re Not Using Expired Sunscreen

It’s perhaps a little-known fact that sunscreen does expire. Some sunscreens expire after just one year, although some can last for up to three. Make sure you’re getting the most from your family’s sunscreen by always checking the expiry date on the bottle. Using expired sunscreen could mean you’re not getting adequate UV protection and could therefore be exposed to the associated dangers. Are you feeling a little bit more empowered with your sun protection now?

As summer rolls in, Banana Boat’s new Moisturising Sunscreen Lotion SPF 50+ range makes it easy for Aussies to keep their skin safe and hydrated every day. Whether you're looking for a sunscreen for the whole family, a lightweight option for your face, or a skincare-inspired formula for your body, Banana Boat has got you covered!

The Banana Boat sunscreen range is available in-store and online at Woolworths, Coles, Chemist Warehouse, Priceline, Big W, Amazon and leading retailers nationally. 

More Summer Essentials

Six of The Best Kids Sunglasses For Summer
The Coolest Beach Carts in Australia
10 of the Best Beach Umbrellas

Have you signed up for our newsletter? Join ellaslist to get the best family and kid-friendly events, venues, classes and things to do NEAR YOU!