Is there a reason to get kids' sunscreen?

[Anonymous]

We are traveling to San Diego in a week so happily will be outside a lot. I've ordered an SPF 50 sunhat for our 9-month-old son, but obviously will need to protect the rest of his body. We have perfectly good spray-on regular Coppertone sunscreen (also SPF 50), and I'm just wondering if there's some reason I need the kids type sunscreen instead. Is there something in the sunscreen that's bad for kids' skin? As long as it's "PABA-free" (whatever that is), is it okay? Our son has never had any skin problems--very little diaper rash, no eczema, etc.

[Anonymous]

My son has good skin too, but some sunscreens irritate his skin. Some of the kids' sunscreens are also loaded with frangrance, etc. the coppertone sunbabies (the one in the pink bottles) is the worst, it stinks and my son's skin is red after we use it. Sprays are really onlly good for putting on limbs, not for face, neck, because they really go everywhere.
I would go ahead and buy something specific to babies for a 9 month old. Aveeno makes a great one that doesn't irritate.
Also, the sunscreen sticks are great for putting on little faces--less chance of getting it in eyes, etc. when they squirm. Even with a sunhat you should put sunscreen on face, ears, neck, etc.

San Diego is cool enough that you can do long sleeves and pants, too, esp. in the morning and evening. It's not like Florida.