Every year on 16 September, the world marks World Ozone Day — a reminder of one of the quietest, most important jobs on the planet. High above our heads, the ozone layer blocks around 98% of the sun's harmful ultraviolet (UV) radiation before it ever reaches us.
That's an extraordinary amount of protection. But it's not 100% — and that small gap is exactly why sun protection habits matter for children all year round, not just on the hottest days of summer.
What does the ozone layer actually do?
The ozone layer sits in the stratosphere, roughly 10 to 40km above the Earth's surface. It's made up of ozone molecules that absorb most of the sun's UVB and UVA radiation — the same rays responsible for sunburn, premature skin ageing, and long-term skin damage.
Since the 1987 Montreal Protocol began phasing out ozone-depleting substances, the ozone layer has been steadily recovering, which is genuinely good news for everyone's skin. But even at full strength, it was never designed to block everything. The 2% of UV radiation that gets through is still enough to cause sunburn on unprotected skin — especially delicate children's skin, which is thinner and more vulnerable to UV damage than adult skin.
Why UV doesn't stop when summer does
It's a common assumption that once the school holidays end and the weather cools down, the need for SPF fades with the sunshine. In reality, UV exposure is far less connected to temperature than most parents realise:
• Cloud cover doesn't block UV. Up to 80% of UV rays can pass straight through cloud, so a grey September day can still cause sun damage.
• Autumn sun sits lower in the sky, which can mean more direct UV exposure to the face during school runs, sports days, and playground time.
• Children spend just as much time outdoors in September — PE lessons, after-school clubs, and playtime don't stop because the calendar flips to autumn.
This is the gap the ozone layer leaves open, and it's the gap that daily sun protection habits are designed to close.
Meet Ozzy, Orla and Ollie: the Solar Buddies explaining it best
At Solar Buddies, we think the best way to teach children about sun safety is to make it part of their world, not a lecture. That's where Ozzy (blue), Orla (pink), and Ollie (green) come in — our trio of sun-safety characters who help little ones understand why "topping up" their SPF matters, rain or shine.
Ozzy likes to remind kids that the sky is always working hard to protect them — but that everyone needs a bit of backup, every single day the sun is out (which, in the UK, is more days than you'd think).
Making daily protection actually happen
Knowing that UV protection matters year-round is one thing. Getting a wriggling, independent-minded child to actually apply it consistently is another challenge entirely — which is exactly the problem Solar Buddies was built to solve.
Solar Buddies is the world's first children's sunscreen applicator, and for over 10 years we've been helping families make sun protection quick, mess-free, and something kids can genuinely do themselves. Simply fill the refillable applicator with your sunscreen of choice, roll it on, and there's no sticky hands, no fuss, and no excuses — whether it's a beach holiday in July or a windy walk to school in September.
That independence matters beyond convenience, too. Schools with strict "no-touch" policies around applying products to children can make reapplying sunscreen during the day genuinely difficult for staff — but a child who can apply their own Solar Buddies doesn't need to wait for help.
The takeaway for World Ozone Day
The ozone layer is doing an incredible job protecting us — but it was never meant to do it alone. This World Ozone Day, it's worth remembering that sun protection isn't a summer-only habit. Cloudy skies, cooler temperatures, and shorter days don't mean UV rays have clocked off.
Keep a Solar Buddies applicator topped up and in the school bag as September rolls in — because the sky's defences are strong, but they're not the whole story.
Shop the Solar Buddies Ultimate Kids Sun Care Bundle — 20% off throughout September.