Dermatologists Say These Are the 9 Best Sunscreens for Babies & Their Sensitive Skin
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Sure, any sunscreen is better than no sunscreen — and there are plenty of ways to add to your babies’ sun protection using clothing with SPF. But there’s no substitute for sunscreen, and it’s a known fact that not all sunblock is created equal. Every year, the Environmental Working Group digs up all the details on commercial sunscreens for kids and gives them a rating based on safety. They take into consideration product packaging, the usability of each sunscreen and the amount of harmful chemicals used in the product. For instance, EWG filtered out products with ingredients that it considers worrisome, like formaldehyde-releasing chemicals.
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The watchdog nonprofit researches, scrutinizes and tests hundreds of sun protection offerings with one goal: to tell consumers which sunscreens specifically marketed for use on babies and kids belong on children’s skin and which ones are better left on the shelf.
So, before you put a bottle of sunscreen in your cart, make sure you flip it over and check the ingredient list to ensure you aren’t rubbing an ineffective sunscreen with troublesome ingredients onto your babies’ skin. We’ve taken the EWG’s recs and dermatologist advice into account and have rounded up some of the best and safest sunscreens out there right now, for your little one’s sensitive skin.
Best Sunscreen for Babies at a Glance
Best Overall: California Baby Everyday Year Round Broad Spectrum SPF 30+ Sunscreen, $26
Best Fragrance-Free Sunscreen for Babies: Pipette Mineral Sunscreen Broad Spectrum SPF 50, $13
Best Sunscreen on Amazon for Babies: Earth Mama Baby Face Mineral Sunscreen Stick SPF 40, $11
Best Drugstore Sunscreen for Babies: La Roche Posay Anthelios Body and Face Soft Finish Mineral Sunscreen Lotion SPF 50, $32
Best Stick Sunscreen for Babies: Tubby Todd Mineral Sunstick SPF 30, $18
Most Affordable Sunscreen for Babies: Blue Lizard Baby Mineral Sunscreen Stick, SPF 50+, $10
Best Sunscreen for Babies with Sensitive Skin: Shiseido Ultimate Sun Protection Lotion Broad Spectrum SPF 50+, $42
Best Spray Sunscreen for Babies: Supergoop! Sunnyscreen SPF 50 Spray, $30
Best Sunscreen for Babies with Darker Skin: Black Girl Sunscreen Kids Broad Spectrum SPF 50, $12
What to Look for in Baby Sunscreen, According to the Pros
When looking for a sunscreen for your baby, Dr. Karan Lal, DO, MS, FAAD, and Society for Pediatric Dermatology member stresses to make sure you look for mineral sunscreens only. “Mineral sunscreens are approved for use in babies six months of age and older. They contain zinc oxide and titanium dioxide. Because mineral sunscreens sit on top of the skin there must adequate coverage for true protection,” he explains. You also want to purchase an SPF 30 and up.
What Ingredients to Avoid in Baby Sunscreen, According to the Pros
Pros recommended staying away from fragrances since tiny skin can react to scents. And most importantly, Dr. Lal cautions against selecting ones with skin irritants and disruptors like avobenzone, oxybenzone, homosalate, octocrylene, ecamsule, octinoxate, and octyl methoxycinnamate.
What Type of Sunscreen Is Best for Babies?
Sunscreens that are as natural as possible are best for babies. Like Dr. Lal mentioned above, seek out options that are fragrance-free and free from harsh chemicals like oxybenzone. It’s even better if the sunscreen is dermatologist tested and approved, like many of the options on our list.
Can Babies Under 12 Months Wear Sunscreen?
A common question that dermatologists and pediatricians receive is “can babies under 12 months wear sunscreen?” While many think that SPF can harm babies’ skin, it’s actually recommended to protect them while in the sun or outside in general. “The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends children start using mineral sunscreen at six months of age,” Dr. Lal says. “Babies under six months of age should not be using sunscreen and should have minimal to no sun exposure.”
When Can I Start Putting Sunscreen on My Baby?
Babies can wear sunscreen starting at six months old. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends applying one if your baby is exposed to the sun. If they are not, there’s no need to lather them up in a lotion.
From Pipette’s non-nano zinc oxide sunscreen (celeb mom-approved!) to plenty of your favorite brands like California Baby and Tubby Todd, you’ve got plenty of gentle and effective sunscreen picks to choose from for your baby. Take a look, and play safe!
Our mission at SheKnows is to empower and inspire women, and we only feature products we think you’ll love as much as we do. California Baby is a SheKnows sponsor, however, all products in this article were independently selected by our editors. Please note that if you purchase something by clicking on a link within this story, we may receive a small commission of the sale.
BEST OVERALL
California Baby Everyday Year Round Broad Spectrum SPF 30+ Sunscreen
$26
California Baby’s award-winning sunscreen for babies is free of gluten, oat, soy, sesame, dairy, and nuts (except coconut). Better yet, it’s never crafted with oxybenzone, avobenzone, octisalate, octocrylene, homosalate, octinoxate, vitamin A, retinyl palmitate, and synthetic fragrances which can cause skin disruptions. The gentle formula is mineral absorbed, but blends seamlessly, making it our best overall pick for applying to your little one daily.
Type of Sunscreen: Mineral
Active Ingredients: Essential oils: Lemongrass and gardenia flowers
Water-resistance: Yes
Scent: Yes (with essential oils)
Pros:
Best for everyday wear, for any season
Blends easily
Cons:
Over $20
BEST DRUGSTORE SUNSCREEN FOR BABIES
La Roche Posay Anthelios Body and Face Soft Finish Mineral Sunscreen Lotion SPF 50
$32
La Roche Posay is known for its gentle and effective skincare products that are derm-tested and suitable for all skin types. This pick is a 100 percent mineral sunscreen and also contains clay, which adds soft dry finish and blends effortlessly into the skin.
Type of Sunscreen: Mineral
Active Ingredients: Cell-Ox Shield technology with zinc oxide and titanium dioxide
Water-resistance: Yes—up to up to 80 minutes
Scent: No
Pros:
Dermatologist tested
Fragrance-free
Cons:
Takes times to blend
BEST FRAGRANCE-FREE SUNSCREEN FOR BABIES
Pipette Mineral Sunscreen Broad Spectrum SPF 50
$13
Supermodel Rosie Huntington-Whiteley is a fan of Pipette for her and her little one, so naturally, the brand’s fragrance-free mineral sunscreen is one of our top picks. It’s non-nano and EWG-certified, and suitable for the entire family.
Type of Sunscreen: Mineral
Active Ingredients: sugarcane-derived squalane
Water-resistance: No
Scent: No
Pros:
Vegan and cruelty-free
Sustainably made
Cons:
Can leave a greasy finish
BEST STICK SUNSCREEN FOR BABIES
Tubby Todd Mineral Sunstick SPF 30
$18
A sunscreen formula in stick form is elite. It makes it a breeze to apply the SPF generously to gentle skin that needs coverage while spending time in the sun. The Tubby Todd Mineral Sunstick is made with a blend of non-nano zinc oxide, coconut oil, sunflower seed oil, and more nourishing ingredients that never irritate the skin. The SPF 30 is also water resistant for up to 80 minutes, but thanks to its compact design, reapplying to your little one’s nose, face, and ears only takes a few minutes.
Type of Sunscreen: Mineral
Active Ingredients: Non-nano zinc oxide, coconut oil, sunflower seed oil, and more
Water-resistance: Yes—up to 80 minutes
Scent: None
Pros:
No mess application
Great for travel
Cons:
Not offered in larger sizes
MOST AFFORDABLE SUNSCREEN FOR BABIES
Blue Lizard Baby Mineral Sunscreen Stick, SPF 50+
$10
Blue Lizard’s SPF stick also received a two ranking from the EWG. It’s sweat and water-resistant — plus, it’s also paraben-free, fragrance-free, dye-free, and 100 percent vegan.
Type of Sunscreen: Mineral
Active Ingredients: Mineral zinc oxide, aloe vera, shea butter, sunflower seed oil, and vitamin E
Water-resistance: Yes and sweat-resistant for up to 80 minutes
Scent: Yes
Pros:
Affordable
Non-sticky finish
Cons:
Does have a light coconut scent
BEST SUNSCREEN ON AMAZON FOR BABIES
Earth Mama Baby Face Mineral Sunscreen Stick SPF 40
$11
This reef-safe face stick contains shea butter for nourishing the skin and calendula extract, which is antifungal and anti-inflammatory. The sunscreen stick is water-resistant for up to 40 minutes.
Type of Sunscreen: Mineral
Active Ingredients: Non-nano zinc, organic cocoa butter, and aloe
Water-resistance: Yes—up to 40 minutes
Scent: Yes
Pros:
Voted EWG’s Best Recreational, Baby & Kids’ Sunscreen
Available in two sizes
Cons:
Some shoppers say it’s tough to get an even application
BEST SUNSCREEN FOR BABIES WITH SENSITIVE SKIN
Shiseido Ultimate Sun Protection Lotion Broad Spectrum SPF 50+
$42
This sensitive broad spectrum sunscreen with SPF 50 for children earns an EWG score of 2, is water-resistant for up to 80 minutes, and is formulated with soothing aloe extract.
Type of Sunscreen: Physical
Active Ingredients: Zinc oxide and titanium dioxide
Water-resistance: Yes—up to 80 minutes
Scent: No
Pros:
Ophthalmologist and dermatologist tested
Long-lasting bottle
Cons:
Suited for children over six months old
BEST SPRAY SUNSCREEN FOR BABIES
Supergoop! Sunnyscreen SPF 50 Spray
$30
Your little one can get in on the Supergoop! bandwagon with this effective and easy-to-use mineral sunscreen that gets an EWG rating of 2. It has SPF 50, is fragrance-free, and is water-resistant for up to 80 minutes. And the best feature? It’s in a spray form, meaning you get to cover a ton of area in just minutes!
Type of Sunscreen: Mineral
Active Ingredients: Calendula and chamomile extracts, coconut oil, and mango butter
Water-resistance: Yes—up to 80 minutes
Scent: No
Pros:
Spray
Top-rated formula
Safe for sensitive skin
Cons:
Thicker formula
BEST SUNSCREEN FOR BABIES WITH DARKER SKIN
Black Girl Sunscreen Kids Broad Spectrum SPF 50
$10
The Black Girl Sunscreen Kids Broad Spectrum SPF 50 is specially formulated for little ones with darker skin. The lotion goes on smoothly and doesn’t leave pesky white residue behind. The sunscreen is suited for the face and body, which means you can make sure your baby’s skin has an ample dose of protection and moisturization.
Type of Sunscreen: Physical
Active Ingredients: Homosalate
Water-resistance: Yes—up to 80 minutes
Scent: No
Pros:
Under $10
No white residue
Cons:
Not for oily skin
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