Aside from selecting an appropriate SPF (a minimum of SPF 30, per the American Academy of Pediatrics), sunscreens should include safe and baby-friendly sunscreen ingredients. In 2019, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) recognized two ingredients as generally recognized safe and effective (GRASE) for general use: titanium dioxide and zinc oxide. The good news is these ingredients are found in many brands and are available in various forms, such as sticks and lotions. But this does require parents to take the time to read a sunscreen label carefully before purchase. “As a general rule, don’t buy a product, and certainly don’t put it on your baby, unless the ingredients are on the label and you understand what those ingredients are, and you don’t want to be unduly impacted by marketing hype—for example, labels touting products as natural, fragrance-free, or dermatology tested—because it doesn’t really mean anything,” explains Elaine Siegfried, MD, professor of pediatrics and dermatology of Saint Louis University Health Sciences Center in St. Louis. We carefully read all the labels, used our experience with our own babies, and took doctors’ advice and the latest research into account when choosing the baby sunscreens for this list. Here are the 10 best sunscreens for babies to help you select the perfect one for your little one. This broad-spectrum mineral sunscreen lotion uses zinc oxide to protect your little one’s sensitive skin from UVA/UVB rays while playing outdoors. Sun Bum is our best overall pick because while providing that excellent protection, the lotion applies easily and doesn’t leave behind an oily texture or sticky feel. It is formulated with coconut oil, shea, and cocoa butter to hydrate their skin, too. Like many mineral sunscreens, Sun Bum Baby Bum Mineral Lotion may leave behind a white cast if you don’t rub it in thoroughly. But once it’s applied, this unscented, lightweight lotion is water-resistant and sweatproof for up to 80 minutes. Not to mention it’s also paraben- and sulfate-free. Price at time of publication: $17 SPF: 50 | Active Ingredients: Zinc oxide | Application: Lotion Price at time of publication: $18 SPF: 40 | Active Ingredients: Uncoated zinc oxide | Application: Lotion We also love that this lotion is non-greasy and free of chemical ingredients parents prefer to avoid, like parabens and phthalates. It’s also kind to baby’s sensitive eyes and provides 80 minutes of water resistance. Applying this thick, creamy lotion to a squirmy baby may also be challenging since you have to spend some time lathering the product onto your little one’s skin to avoid a white cast. Price at time of publication: $23 SPF: 50 | Active Ingredients: Zinc oxide | Application: Lotion Price at time of publication: $17 SPF: 50 | Active Ingredients: Zinc oxide | Application: Lotion Price at time of publication: $10 SPF: 50 | Active Ingredients: Avobenzone, homosalate, octisalate | Application: Lotion Price at time of publication: $10 SPF: 50+ Active Ingredients: Zinc oxide Application: Stick Price at time of publication: $10 SPF: 50 | Active Ingredients: Zinc oxide | Application: Lotion Price at time of publication: $22 SPF: 50+ | Active Ingredients: Zinc oxide Application: Lotion Price at time of publication: $23 SPF: 50+ Active Ingredients: Zinc oxide, titanium dioxide Application: Lotion
What to Look for in Sunscreen for Babies
First, remember that sunscreen should never be your baby’s only protection from the sun, especially if they’re younger than 6 months old. The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) suggests that if a younger baby absolutely can’t be kept out of the sun and protected by clothing, shade, and/or a hat, you may apply a small amount of sunscreen on exposed skin. “It’s important to use a combination of sun protection methods, not just sunscreen: Wearing clothing and hats, timing activities outside of peak sun hours (10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Daylight Saving Time, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Standard Time), seeking shade and consulting the Ultraviolet (UV) Index,” Dr. Balk tells Verywell Family. Other accessories to use include:
Sunglasses (look for a label that states the product absorbs 99–100 percent of the full UV spectrum)Long-sleeved, lightweight cotton shirts and pantsWide-brimmed hats that shade the cheeks and back of the neckSwimwear with a high-protection rating
When selecting a sunscreen, there are a few things to look for. First, opt for broad-spectrum sunscreens as they offer protection from UVB rays, which cause sunburn, and UVA rays, which penetrate deeper into the skin and are associated with more long-term damage. Second, pick an SPF 30 or higher. Then, take time to read the ingredients label.
Ingredients
“I would stick with zinc oxide as the active sunscreen ingredient,” Dr. Siegfried advises. Zinc oxide and titanium dioxide are the two active ingredients that the FDA has deemed “safe for use” in sunscreen. These ingredients, known as mineral sunscreen or physical sunscreen, work by blocking the sun’s rays. Chemical sunscreens with ingredients such as oxybenzone, avobenzone, and octinoxate, absorb the rays instead. The issue is that because these ingredients are also absorbed into the bloodstream, there is a bigger concern about whether they are harmful. A 2019 report stated that there is still insufficient data for the safety of the following 12 active sunscreen ingredients:
OxybenzoneAvobenzoneCinoxateDioxybenzoneEnsulizoleHomosalateMeradimateOctinoxateOctisalateOctocrylenePadimate OSulisobenzone
It’s important to note that the FDA and the American Academy of Dermatology have not yet told consumers to avoid those ingredients, as the top priority is still to make sure people use sunscreens to prevent skin cancer.
Application
Sunscreen sticks and lotions or creams are the most preferred application types when used correctly. While easy and quick to apply to a squirming baby, sprays make it easy for a parent to miss spots on the baby’s skin and do not always result in even application. Inhalation of aerosols is another concern. “The FDA has not approved sunscreen wipes, towelettes, powders, body washes, or shampoos, so these should be avoided,” Dr. Balk says. “Sprays are convenient, but parents need to make sure children don’t inhale them. They can spray their hands first, then apply them to the children. In general, sunscreen is applied to uncovered skin while avoiding the mouth and eyes.” Taking time to apply sunscreen to exposed skin is key to the proper application and the best way to keep your baby safe from sunburn. Before you leave the house for a day at the park or any time spent outdoors, take time to apply sunscreen on their exposed skin. This application includes the back of the hands, ears, back of the neck, feet, back of the knees, and the top of the head if your baby has patches of hair that leave skin vulnerable to the sun. Make sure to read the sunscreen label for directions on how long it takes to absorb into the skin since you’ll want to apply it before heading outside (typically 15 minutes). Then, remember to reapply sunscreen throughout the day to avoid sunburn. Most sunscreens should be reapplied every two hours, but check the product’s label for more direction. “Apply sunscreen frequently—too often is seldom a problem, but too infrequent can make for an uncomfortable tomorrow,” Dr. Garner says.
Skin Type
Baby’s skin is sensitive and delicate, making it imperative to lather them in a sunscreen that does not aggravate baby eczema or irritate their skin. For babies who experience eczema, moisture is a must. “One way to think about eczema is to consider it an ‘allergy’ [to] dry skin,” Dr. Garner explains. “If you are allergic to cats, you avoid cats. If you are allergic to dry skin, you avoid dry skin. Moisturizers are the first-line treatment, and continued use will prevent recurrences. Hypoallergenic formulations like Aveeno or CeraVe can be very helpful, but my experience is that what really matters is not which moisturizer is used but how often it is being used.” The National Eczema Association (NEA) provides a list of approved sunscreens that play nicely with a baby’s sensitive skin. To earn the NEA Seal of Acceptance, sunscreen must use mineral-based ingredients (titanium dioxide and zinc oxide), be alcohol-free, protect from UVA and UVB rays (also known as broad-spectrum), and be SPF 30 or higher.
Why Trust Verywell Family
Ambrosia V. Brody is a California-based editor, journalist, and mother to three. She has worked as a professional journalist for more than 16 years. When she isn’t writing, you can find her at the library, Starbucks, or the park with her kids. One crucial reminder: To avoid ingestion, parents need to ensure that they’re not putting sunscreen-covered body parts into their mouth, Dr. Balk notes. If you have questions about when it’s safe to use sunscreen on your baby or need recommendations on sunscreens, you should reach out to your pediatrician for help.
