Sun Protection

hey, you should go for the highest SPF possible. Because obviously, in the tropics, the sun—and UV rays—hits hard

Hi there. I have exactly the same issue for myself and my kids. We all have extremely sensitive skin in our family. To answer your question, I think the safest option is to buy sunscreen with a maximum SPF 50+ protection factor, whether here or in Thailand—it makes no difference as long as it's a trusted brand. Here are some tips for choosing the right sunscreen: https://www.quechoisir.org/guide-d-achat-creme-solaire-n4471/

Also, keep in mind that sunscreen isn’t everything—you should still avoid the sun during certain hours and wear slightly protective clothing (long sleeves, hats, etc.). Here are a few extra tips: https://wellness.doktorabc.com/wellness/sun-protection-essential-tips-to-protect-your-skin-this-summer/

LyamR, if you're planning to visit national parks with coral reefs, check out my thread "final preparations". Sorry, we’re talking about sunscreen at the same time. ;)

Sunscreen is great, but you have to reapply it constantly, especially when you're sweating. In my family, we have sensitive skin and a history of skin cancer among the older members, including one fatal case that really traumatized my kids (removal of an eye and nose, which still didn’t prevent the cancer from reaching the brain). So now, my grandkids are very well protected: they wear UV-proof T-shirts, some with long sleeves specifically for swimming. That leaves just the rest of their bodies to protect—swimming with a cap when possible and maximum SPF sunscreen for any exposed skin.

You can get seriously sunburned really quickly in the clear waters of Thailand or even under a parasol due to reflection. Thai kids and adults usually swim in T-shirts—not just to avoid tanning, but also to protect against sunburn, which can lead to skin cancer.

You can find UV-protective clothing in sports stores, and good sunscreens for kids too (check out Que-Choisir tests).

Safe travels!