Yahoo LifestyleHow to Choose a Pregnancy-Safe Sunscreen
- 1/12
How to Choose a Pregnancy-Safe Sunscreen
The need for sun protection doesn’t go away when you're pregnant. It's important to do everything you can to prevent UV rays from harming your skin. Fortunately, choosing a pregnancy-safe sunscreen isn’t hard. While there are certain ingredients in cosmetics you should avoid when you’re pregnant (like retinol), there’s not much in sunscreens that’s off limits.
Is it safe to use sunscreen while pregnant?
Yes! “Sunscreen is generally regarded as very safe and effective in protecting against skin cancer,” says Steven Q. Wang, M.D., chair of The Skin Cancer Foundation’s Photobiology Committee and Chief of Dermatologic Oncology & Dermatologic Surgery at Hoag Memorial Hospital Presbyterian in Newport Beach, California.
It’s understandable that people who are pregnant may be more cautious about what they put in and on their bodies. “I think for anyone who is concerned, especially about the organic sunscreens that have systemic absorption, the recommendation is a using mineral sunscreen,” says Dr. Wang. “That includes titanium dioxide and zinc oxide.”
When it comes to the delivery method, lotion, cream, liquid and gel sunscreens are all safe to use while pregnant, according to explains Valencia Thomas, M.D., a professor of dermatology at The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center. “As long as the individual is careful not to inhale sunscreen sprays during application, sprays may be used during pregnancy,” she adds.
Sunscreen is a great help for protecting your body from harmful UV rays, but it’s just one part of a comprehensive approach. Dr. Thomas recommends avoiding the sun during peak hours (usually 12 to 4 p.m.), wearing sun-protective clothing and seeking shade to prevent skin cancer. It's also important to schedule your annual skin cancer screening. “For individuals who have a history of skin cancer, especially melanoma, they should not forgo their annual exam,” Dr. Wang says. If you see something abnormal, schedule a visit with your dermatologist because they can follow pregnancy-specific guidelines to ensure safe care.
Below, top dermatologists answer your biggest questions around sunscreen that’s safe to use during pregnancy. We also have a list of the best sunscreens to use during pregnancy, according to the Good Housekeeping Institute. However, it's important to note that the best sunscreen is actually one you'll use every day. Remember, skin cancer is a known risk of exposing yourself to UV rays, but there are no proven risks to using sunscreens that are currently sold in the U.S.
Our top picks:
cdwheatley - 2/12
Mineral Skin Nourishing Milk SPF 50
Hawaiian Tropic
amazon.com
$9.98
Unlike most mineral sunscreens, this one from Hawaiian Tropic doesn’t leave behind a lot of white residue — it was the least likely to stain clothing or furniture of all the mineral ones the Good Housekeeping Institute tried. Testers loved the light, beachy fragrance and the easy-to-use pump. “Even though I was not near water while using this product (other than my garden hose) the scent was reminiscent of being at the beach,” one said.
Hawaiian Tropic - 3/12
Mineral Sunscreen Face Lotion SPF 30
Sun Bum
amazon.com
$16.99
This non-tinted, fragrance-free, mineral-based sunscreen had a smooth and silky finish that testers loved (one even described the luxe feel on the face as “velvety”). Even more important, with your pregnant skin already prone to some splotchiness, this product had almost a perfect score for not causing redness or irritation.
Sun Bum - 4/12
Pure & Simple SPF 50
Coppertone
amazon.com
$8.97
From a brand you’ve probably used for years, this hypoallergenic, fragrance-free formula contains tea leaf, sea kelp and lotus extracts and won’t hurt your wallet when you’re saving up for baby gear. “For a mineral sunscreen, it rubbed in easily and was dry to the touch shortly afterward,” said one tester. “One of the easiest mineral sunscreens I’ve tried.”
Coppertone - 5/12
Mineral Sunscreen Lotion Face SPF 30
Bare Republic
amazon.com
$14.99
Infused with shea butter and antioxidant-rich raspberry, grape, and carrot seed oils, this modestly priced cream-to-powder formula had the highest overall score for its scent and for being gentle on skin. “It felt wonderful when applying—super soft and billowy,” one tester raved. “My skin felt really nice after application.”
Bare Republic - 6/12
Botanical Sunscreen Mineral Lotion SPF 50
Australian Gold
amazon.com
$14.48
This sunscreen contains botanicals from Down Under, including Kakadu plum, eucalyptus and red algae, and has a “citrus oasis” scent that some testers loved, while others found it overwhelming. However, protection was felt through "the rigor of sweat and salt water.”
Australian Gold - 7/12
Mineral Sunscreen Body Lotion SPF 50
ULTA
ulta.com
$14.99
Ulta’s body lotion, with 4% titanium dioxide and 4% zinc oxide, got high marks in our tests for having a “smooth and silky” texture. Though some testers mentioned that it took a little extra scrubbing to get it off at the end of the day, it still won raves: “It’s easy to apply, applies evenly, stays on in the water and Texas summer heat, and prevents sunburn,” said one satisfied tester.
Ulta - 8/12
Mineral Moisture Defense Body
MDSolarSciences
amazon.com
$39.00
Made with a blend of ceramides and humectants, this luxe sunscreen won raves for its gentle touch — it got a perfect score from our testers for not causing any stinging or irritation. It’s so gentle, you can use it on the entire family, including any little ones over six months old. “It felt elegant and moisturizing,” one tester said.
RELATED: 11 Best Sunscreens for Kids and Babies 2022, According to Experts
MD Solar Sciences - 9/12
Mineral Anthelios Sunscreen Gentle Lotion SPF 50
La Roche-Posay
amazon.com
$24.99
Testers loved how quickly lotion absorbed into the skin. Though the formula is technically fragrance-free, one tester commented, “It had a very light, pleasant smell,” while another praised its “smooth, almost powdery finish.”
La Roche-Posay - 10/12
Sheer Mineral Sunscreen SPF 50
Babo Botanicals
amazon.com
$16.99
If your pregnancy nose is extra sensitive, you might prefer this fragrance-free sunscreen with 20% zinc oxide. It spreads on smoothly and rinses off easily at the end of the day. Testers appreciated that it feels light, doesn’t leave a white film on skin, and absorbs quickly. “I forgot I had it on!” was one typical remark.
Babo Botanicals - 11/12
Mineral Sunscreen Face Gel-Lotion SPF 30
Bare Republic
amazon.com
$15.99
If you like to feel like you’re wearing nothing at all on your face, try this gel-lotion, which got the highest scores for not leaving the face oily or shiny. Testers also loved that it left an appealing matte finish and created a silky base for makeup. “This product truly shocked me in how well it went on, how it felt on my face…and that there were no ill effects like burning, stinging, or breakouts,” said one tester.
Bare Republic - 12/12
Regenerist Mineral Sunscreen Face Moisturizer
Olay
amazon.com
$46.99
Winner of the Good Housekeeping Seal, this sheer sunscreen from Olay includes vitamin B3 + peptides and is fragrance-free with no greasy residue. Best of all, it does double duty by hydrating your skin for up to six hours.
amazon.com
