Experts Explain Why Mineral Sunscreen Is a Must for Kids and Babies' Sensitive Skin

We updated this guide in April 2022 to add new featured products made by ThinkBaby and Babo Botanicals based on extensive testing and evaluations out of the Good Housekeeping Institute. Our best sunscreen for babies, Neutrogena Pure & Free Baby SPF50, remains the same, as does our kid's pick made by ThinkSport.

Finding the best sunscreen for kids and babies can be tricky, as every child may have different reactions to certain ingredients, consistencies or application methods. Our skincare experts have already established optimal sunscreens for sensitive skin as well as products made with entirely better-for-you natural formulas. But you may be wondering if these same picks are engineered with children in mind, especially since there are so many products marketed as safe for children in any given pharmacy or beauty aisle.

Experts and analysts within the Good Housekeeping Institute's Beauty Lab conduct thorough tests on all types of sunscreens for adults, including those made with natural and mineral formulas, zinc oxide SPF, sunscreens for the face as well as more recommendations for body application. While our experts didn't explicitly test sunscreens on kids or babies in lab environments, experts used established criteria and expertise when evaluating the products below, as well as consulting with real parents and dermatologists to curate a list of the best sunscreens for little ones. Verified public reviews from previous customers were also taken into account.

If you've been worried about recent headlines relating to sunscreen safety, you're not alone — in fact, officials within the Food and Drug Administration recently made updates to guidelines for sunscreen production. Because there is still room for future regulation and further restriction on active ingredients that may enter the bloodstream, "we recommend that parents use sunscreens with mineral actives such as zinc oxide and titanium dioxide on their kids," says Birnur Aral, Ph.D., executive director of the Beauty, Health and Sustainability Lab.

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