There are a lot of sunscreens on the market that claim to be specifically formulated for kids and babies. When you’re trying to decode those labels, here are a few things you should look out for.

Formulation

One of the most important things that you want to look for is that the formula is designed to be “broad spectrum,” aka designed to provide coverage against UVA and UVB rays. In addition to considering a chemical sunscreen versus a mineral (more on that later), paraben and fragrance-free sunscreens will be less irritating for kids’ skin in general.

SPF Protection

The key number here is 30. In general, an SPF of 30 will filter out 97 percent of UVB rays (the more potent of the UV rays). A higher SPF will get you closer to 100 percent, but no sunscreen will ever block all UV rays.

Consistency

Balms and sticks are both great ways to get sunscreen on a kid, as long as you’re using them correctly. But, sunscreen sprays on the other hand, come with a big caveat. “Parents love spray sunscreen, but it is the vehicle that I see the most sunburns with,” said Jordan Carqueville, MD, founder of the Derm Institute of Chicago. “It’s hard to gauge if you have enough of it on.” If you’re going to use the spray on a child, you don’t want to spray them directly in their face, she adds. Instead, spray the sunscreen on your hand and then use your hands to apply.