A bit of sunshine is good for all of us as it lifts our mood, helps our bodies make vitamin D, and makes outdoor adventures even more enjoyable. But when it comes to little ones, their skin needs extra care and protection under the sun.

Even though sun protection is important for everyone, it’s especially crucial during childhood, and here’s why.

A baby’s or toddler’s skin is thinner and more sensitive than adult’s skin. It contains less melanin: the pigment that helps protect skin from harmful UV rays. That means UV radiation can penetrate deeper and cause more damage in a shorter amount of time.

Studies show that a child’s skin barrier is still developing during the first few years of life, making it more vulnerable to sunburn and long-term effects.

Experts estimate that up to 80% of a person’s total lifetime sun exposure happens before the age of 18. That means the skin damage that leads to wrinkles, sunspots, and even skin cancer often begins in childhood.

Just one or two serious sunburns during childhood can double the risk of developing skin cancer later in life. Protecting your little one’s skin early helps lay the foundation for lifelong skin health.

Since kids spend a lot of time outdoors, they’re often exposed to the sun more frequently and for longer periods than adults realize. And to make things trickier, reflected sunlight from surfaces like water, sand, or pavement can increase exposure even further, especially for babies in strollers, where the light bounces up toward their face and arms.

It’s a common myth that sun protection is only necessary on hot or sunny days. In reality, up to 80% of UV radiation passes through clouds. That’s why we say: sun protection isn’t a season — it’s a daily habit. More information on sun protection beyond summer can be found here.

While sunscreen is useful, especially for exposed areas, clothing is the most effective and consistent way to protect the skin. UV-protective fabrics like Cloby’s naturally offer UPF 50+ protection, blocking more than 98% of harmful UV rays, without needing to reapply sunscreen all the time. 

Our mission is to make that protection easy, practical, and comfortable, so families can enjoy every adventure safely, all year round.