LOS ANGELES (KABC) -- For the Sheehan kids, there's nothing like a day at the pool. But first, their babysitter makes sure to cover them in sunscreen.
The sunscreen she chooses?
"It says 'kids' on it so I usually just use the kids, and adult for me. I don't know the difference," Amanda Vasta said.
But Consumer Reports says you don't need to buy a separate formula for babies and children.
"There's no safer ingredient just for kids," Patricia Calvo of Consumer Reports said. "Manufacturers use the same active ingredients in kids' sunscreens as they do in adult sunscreens."
For example, comparing Coppertone Ultra-Guard and Coppertone Water Babies side-by-side shows the ingredients are the same.
And what about Coppertone's claim that it's the No. 1 pediatrician-recommended brand? Coppertone says it surveys pediatricians to find out which brand they recommend.
"You might think that 'pediatrician-tested' or 'pediatrician-recommended' means that the sunscreen is safer, but those terms aren't regulated," Calvo said. "The FDA does not hold kids' sunscreen to a higher safety standard than adult sunscreen."
And while spray-on sunscreens are a popular choice, Consumer Reports says don't spray your kids.
"Kids are likely to squirm around, and that means that they risk breathing in the sunscreen. That can be a lung irritant, and some sprays contain titanium dioxide, and if you breathe in those sunscreens it could be a potential cancer risk," Calvo said.
Another risk: sprays can be flammable, if they haven't dried and you're near an open flame. Consumer Reports says a lotion is a better choice for children.
One to look for: Equate from Walmart. Consumer Reports' tests show it's a good, affordable choice for the whole family.
Consumer Reports also advises parents to check the labels. Sunscreens marketed for children may cost more than adult version, but still contain the very same ingredients. And be aware that even sunscreens that claim to be tear free may still cause stinging if it gets into the eyes.