Sun Protection for Kids With Eczema: Why UPF Clothing Can Be a Game Changer

If your child has eczema, sunny days can feel complicated.

You want them outside. You want them protected. But sunscreen, which is meant to help, often makes things worse. Stinging skin, flare-ups, redness and discomfort can turn a simple beach day into a stressful experience.

This is something I understand deeply, not just as a brand owner, but as a mum.

My son has eczema. I’ve stood in the sunscreen aisle reading labels, hoping the next “gentle” formula might finally work. I’ve watched his skin react. I’ve washed it off, soothed it, and felt that familiar frustration of trying to do the right thing but still feeling stuck.

That experience is one of the reasons Sol & Tide exists.

Why Sunscreen Can Be Hard on Eczema-Prone Skin

Many children with eczema have compromised skin barriers. This means their skin is more reactive, more sensitive, and more likely to sting or inflame when exposed to certain ingredients.

Even mineral sunscreens, often recommended for sensitive skin, can feel heavy, drying or uncomfortable when reapplied multiple times a day, and especially if mixed with salt (and sand) water or chlorine. And for kids who already dislike the feeling of sunscreen, the process can quickly become a daily battle.

The truth is, sunscreen isn’t always wrong — but it isn’t always enough, and it isn’t always gentle.

How UPF Clothing Helps Reduce Irritation

UPF-rated clothing works differently to sunscreen. Instead of sitting on the skin, it blocks UV rays through tightly woven fabric.

A UPF 50+ sun shirt blocks over 98% of harmful UV rays without needing to be reapplied. Once it’s on, protection stays consistent, even through sweat, sand and water play.

For eczema-prone kids, this can be a huge relief.

Less sunscreen on the body means less irritation. Less rubbing, less washing off, less disruption to already sensitive skin. Sunscreen can still be used where needed, like faces and hands, but the overall load on the skin is dramatically reduced.

Why Fabric Choice Matters

Not all sun shirts are suitable for sensitive skin.

Some are stiff. Some are scratchy. Some trap heat and moisture, which can aggravate eczema even further, especially when as most parents know it is often worse in summer.

At Sol & Tide Sunwear, softness was non-negotiable. Our sunwear is designed to feel gentle against the skin, breathable enough for warm days, and comfortable enough for kids to actually keep on.

No rough seams. No heavy, plastic-feeling fabric. Just sun protection that feels like clothing, not equipment.

Designed by a Mum Who Gets It

I didn’t design these shirts because it was trendy. I designed them because I needed a better option for my own family.

When your child has eczema, you’re constantly balancing protection and comfort. You’re always thinking ahead. Always trying to reduce triggers. Always hoping today is a good skin day.

Sol & Tide sunwear is about making that balance easier. It’s about giving families an option that protects without adding another layer of stress.

Because kids with sensitive skin deserve to enjoy the sun too - comfortably, confidently, and without compromise.