Step into just about any pharmacy in America right now, and you’ll see an aisle filled with neon-colored sunscreen bottles—and a bewildered-looking mom or two standing in front of it. I’ve been there—just last week, in fact, when I realized that my boys needed to pack their own sunscreen bottles for camp. But what was supposed to be a five-minute stop at CVS turned into a 30-minute morning-spoiler, in which I alternately studied labels and scanned scary website reports about how listed ingredients might throw my kids’ hormonal development out of whack.

We all know by now that sunscreen is essential for protecting our kids from skin cancer and future sun damage (after a childhood spent comparing sun blisters with my cousins every July 4th, I count this as major progress). But it remains frustratingly difficult to find straightforward information about what formulations, among the sea of choices at the store, we should be using (or avoiding). In search of some trustworthy advice, I reached out to Albert Yan, M.D., the chief of dermatology at Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, with whom I’ve worked on articles about kids’ skin problems in the past. Thanks to insights from Dr. Yan and my friend Julie Karen, M.D., a mom as well as a dermatologist at CompleteSkinMD in New York City, I’ve come up with five facts every parent should know before stocking up on sunscreen for summer’s most scorching month.

1. Narrow your choices down to sunscreens with SPF 30 and “broad-spectrum” coverage.
Theoretically, the higher the SPF, the longer you’re protected against sunburn-causing UVB rays; but beyond SPF 30, especially, gains are negligible. “Broad-spectrum” sunscreens are essential for protecting skin not just from sunburn-causing UVB rays, but also dangerous UVA rays. Sunscreens that provide broad spectrum protection will say so on the label (the FDA monitors this), but you can also check for zinc oxide, titanium oxide, Mexoryl SX, or certain chemical combos (such as homosalate or octisalate with avobenzone) in the list of active ingredients. Don’t assume you have to buy ‘kids’ sunscreens: these formulas aren’t necessarily different than others.

2. Mineral-based sunscreen is ideal if your kids tolerate it, but chemical sunscreens are also safe for most.
Because titanium dioxide and zinc oxide work by providing a physical barrier on top of the skin rather than being absorbed into it, sunscreens made from them are great for those with sensitive skin (like babies and children with eczema). But many kids dislike titanium and zinc’s thick feel and the white-ish cast they leave on the skin—and as a result, they or their parents may apply formulations hastily, and resist reapplication. If this tends to be the case, and sensitivity isn’t an issue, Drs. Yan and Karen recommend chemical sunscreens instead. “Above all, I ask families to buy something that their kids will tolerate and be willing to use,” says Dr. Yan.
What about the chemical ingredient oxybenzone, which the recent Environmental Working Group (EWG) report on sunscreens was chiefly concerned about? “When administered at high doses to animals, it has shown to mimic the effects of estrogen, but the doses were extremely high and used over a long period of time,” says Dr. Yan. A recent editorial on the website of the Skin Cancer Foundation reported on a CDC study that found that oxybenzone is already prevalent in our bodies and “has not been associated with adverse health effects,” but did note that researchers called for more studies into the chemical’s effect on human bodies. For parents who are skeptical, Dr. Yan recommends sticking with zinc or titanium or choosing a chemical sunscreen that doesn’t contain oxybenzone. (Our current household favorite is Ocean Potion Protect & Nourish SPF 30, which spreads well, smells great—like lemon layer cake—and contains no oxybenzone.)

3. Sunscreen sprays can be used—with caution.
Sprays have gotten a bad rap lately, mostly over concerns that children might inhale aerosol particles when they’re being applied. The FDA is in the process of investigating the safety of aerosol sprays, but has yet to come out with definitive guidelines on their use. In the meantime, my doc sources say they like sprays for their ease of use and light feel, but with some caveats. Dr. Karen worries about how well they cover the entire body, so usually starts with a good lotion-based sunscreen on her kids, and relies on sprays for easy reapplication. When kids are in and out of water, Dr. Yan prefers the thicker coverage of a lotion or gel, but in other circumstances, gives parents the green light on sprays. To reduce the possibilities of inhalation when using on facial areas, he does suggest that people apply aerosol sprays to their own hands and then rub it on the face, or look into newer, non-aerosol sprays (they look like pump bottles).

4. Reapply more than you think.
When patients’ parents say their kids are burning even though they’re putting on sunscreen, Dr. Yan usually discovers they aren’t reapplying often enough. Diligent reapplication every 2 to 4 hours, especially during water-based activities, is key. And don’t skimp when it’s cloudy. According to the Skin Cancer Foundation, 70-80 percent of the sun’s rays—above all, UVA rays—go through clouds and fog.

5. Don’t rely on just sunscreen for sun safety.
Warwick Morison, M.D., chair of the Skin Cancer Foundation’s photobiology committee, calls sunscreen “just a part of a package of protection.” Hats, rash guards or tightly woven shirts, and frequent breaks from the sun can go a long way toward keeping kids safe and happy during a long day at the beach, park, or pool.