Here's What To Know Before Applying Sunscreen On Your Little Ones

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When it comes to wearing any kind of SPF, it's important to start the habit young. For kids six months and older (any younger shouldn't be in direct sun at all), playtime outside, days at the pool, and summer sports games should all start with a good slathering of a sunscreen for kids.

"It is estimated that 60 to 80 percent of an individual’s total lifetime sun exposure happens in the first 18 years of life," says dermatologist Marnie Nussbaum, MD. "In fact, according to the Skin Cancer Foundation, just one or two blistering sunburns doubles your child's risk of melanoma, the deadly form of skin cancer."

But when it comes to babies and children, any old sunscreen simply won't do. It's important to look at ingredients, formula, and consistency to find the best SPF for your family. It's also important to think about how and when you apply, Dr. Nussbaum adds. "I prefer mineral sunscreens for children because you can easily see where it's being applied and are less likely to miss a spot. Also, some chemical sunscreens take about 20 minutes to begin working, whereas mineral sunscreens provide protection as soon as they're applied to the skin," she explains.

Luckily there are plenty of SPFs that are safe and easy to swipe onto their mushy baby cheeks. Here's a look at the best sunscreens for kids, per dermatologists.

100% Mineral Sunscreen Stick

Dr. Nussbaum recommends this Supergoop stick because of how well it spreads onto children's faces. Plus, this lil' guy is water resistant for up to 80 minutes. Also note that children should be reapplying *right after* swimming or sweating (even if it's under 80 minutes), since the sunscreen dilutes in water.

Face + Body Sunscreen Stick SPF 30

Sunscreen sticks are essential for the diaper bag, since they're easy to apply to toddlers on the move. This one is made with a whopping 22 percent of non-nano zinc oxide—one of the most protective ingredients, says Nussbaum—to shield your little ones without being irritating. It's also made with coconut oil and cocoa butter so it'll glide on smooth and quick.

SPF 40 Baby Sunscreen Cream

Zinc oxide is already calming to the skin but this SPF, recommended by dermatologist Tsippora Shainhouse, MD, also adds other soothing ingredients like chamomile, calendula, and vitamin E, so their little sensitive skin is extra nourished.

Plus, this sunscreen is also sustainably-made. It's produced using 100-percent solar power.

Premium Baby Sunscreen SPF 30

This mineral sunscreen is made with non-nano zinc, sunflower and jojoba oils, and cucumber extract for an easy-to-apply and fresh-smelling sunscreen that your kids won't mind. Its fast-absorbing, leaving no sticky mess behind, and won't leave a white cast either.

Baby Bum SPF 50 Sunscreen Mineral Lotion

"I like that it contains naturally-moisturizing ingredients, such as coconut oil, Shea butter, and cocoa butter, and that it’s fragrance-free and paraben-free," says Dr. Nussbaum. The lightweight, non-greasy formula is mineral-based and protects from UVA/UVB rays. It should be applied 15 minutes before exposure, and rubbed in until it's absorbed.

Safe Sunscreen SPF 50+

This product gets a lot of love—it has over 2,600 reviews on Amazon. It's easy to see why, since it's totally free of the kid-irritating chemicals—oxybenzone, octinoxate and avobenzone—which Shainhouse recommends avoiding. It's also formulated using natural oils that give it a unique fragrance.

Kids' Sunscreen Stick

Shainhouse recommends avoiding using spray sunscreen on babies, since breathing aerosol particles can be harmful for little ones. Instead, stick sunscreen is a more convenient option that's safer for the younger set. This zinc-based formula is made without chemicals, like parabens, and is non-allergenic and tear-free.

Continuous Protection Sensitive Skin Mineral Sunscreen

Though the concentration isn't quite as high as your average diaper rash cream, this tube can double as a treatment for the common childhood issue, since zinc oxide creates a protective barrier on skin, preventing further irritation, says Shainhouse. It's also packed with soothing oats. So if you need a space-saving solution for packing into your beach or vacay bag, this is it.

Pure & Free Baby Mineral Sunscreen Stick

This portable, oil-free stick is small enough to stash in your purse or diaper bag, so you can keep the kiddos protected on-the-go. It has a weightless, non-greasy feel on the skin and is water-resistant for up to 80 minutes.

Sensitive Mineral Sunscreen

This Australian brand is loved by pediatricians and dermatologists because it provides broad spectrum UV protection with zinc oxide and titanium dioxide. Plus, it's water-resistant, says dermatologist Keira Barr. Not to mention, one of its most unique attributes is its smart bottle technology: The cap turns blue when it’s time to reapply the mineral SPF.

Mineral KidCrème SPF 50

This skin- and reef-safe pick is sheer and lightweight for a barely-there feel kids won't complain about. And because it's free from all the bad stuff (parabens, fragrances, and more) and full of the good stuff (antioxidants, aloe, vitamin C, and more), it's perfect for even the most sensitive skin types.

Sea Star Sparkle Rainbow Party Cake

When it comes to kids, you know most of them love shiny things. This sunscreen is made with bio-degradeable glitter to make it fun to rub on. Finding something your kids will actually enjoy applying is key for helping them build healthy sun safety habits, says Carqueville.

How Our Team Chose The Best Sunscreens For Kids

For the past few months, Women's Health editors, have been researching the best sunscreens for kids to buy online. WH consulted dermatologist Marnie Nussbaum, MD, Jordan Carqueville, MD, founder of the Derm Institute of Chicago, and dermatologist Tsippora Shainhouse, MD, and also vetted thousands of expert reviews to find the very best options available online.

What's the best sunscreen for kids?

There are a lot of sunscreens on the market that claim to be specifically formulated for kids and babies. When you're trying to decode those labels, here are a few things you should look out for.

Formulation

One of the most important things that you want to look for is that the formula is designed to be "broad spectrum," aka designed to provide coverage against UVA and UVB rays. In addition to considering a chemical sunscreen versus a mineral (more on that later), paraben and fragrance-free sunscreens will be less irritating for kids' skin in general.

SPF Protection

The key number here is 30. In general, an SPF of 30 will filter out 97 percent of UVB rays (the more potent of the UV rays). A higher SPF will get you closer to 100 percent, but no sunscreen will ever block all UV rays.

Consistency

Balms and sticks are both great ways to get sunscreen on a kid, as long as you're using them correctly. But, sunscreen sprays on the other hand, come with a big caveat. "Parents love spray sunscreen, but it is the vehicle that I see the most sunburns with," said Jordan Carqueville, MD, founder of the Derm Institute of Chicago. "It's hard to gauge if you have enough of it on." If you're going to use the spray on a child, you don't want to spray them directly in their face, she adds. Instead, spray the sunscreen on your hand and then use your hands to apply.

At what age can babies start wearing sunscreen?

Fun in the sun does have a minimum age—six months. Before then, these very little ones shouldn't just avoid sunscreen, but sun exposure, in general."They shouldn't have that kind of direct sun exposure, and you don't want a bunch of chemicals on your brand-new baby," said Carqueville.

What is the safest sunscreen to use on kids?

For all sunscreens, there are two different kinds—chemical and mineral (sometimes called physical sunscreens as well). Mineral sunscreens have a base made out of zinc and titanium. These ingredients don't penetrate the skin, Carqueville explains, and are less irritating for kids (and adults who have sensitive skin). Because of this, Carqueville recommends using mineral sunscreens for kids over the age of six months and toddlers.

When you make the switch to chemical is really up to the kid and you as the parent. If your child has sensitive skin, you may want to stick with only using mineral sunscreens. "There’s not necessarily an age lip when you can start using chemical sunscreens," says Carqueville. Just make sure your child uses a broad-spectrum sunscreen for maximum protection, she adds. That's more important than what type of sunscreen you ultimately end up using.

Can kids use the same sunscreen as adults?

If you look past the colors and fonts on the labels, most sunscreens for kids are great for adult use and vice versa."We don't want to fall to just the marketing terms," says Carqueville. "When you look at sunscreen that's marketed for kids and sunscreens that are marketed for adults, the ingredients are the same."

Where you should think about this question more is if your child has sensitive skin. If that's the case, you'll want to avoid sunscreen with fragrances and parabens, and potentially even chemical sunscreens altogether.

What’s the best way to apply sunscreen on kids?

The need to apply a thick enough layer of sunscreen and to reapply at least every 90 minutes (more if you’re sweating or in the water) can’t be stressed enough. But getting kids pumped about putting on sunscreen is certainly easier said than done. This is where choosing a sunscreen that your kids “have a positive experience with” can be really important, says Carqueville.

“Some of the kids' sunscreens are made to be more fun, Carqueville says. For example, there are sunscreens that are made with glitter in them, like the Sea Star Sparkle Sunscreen Lotion. "Find something that your kids don’t mind using and that they don’t fight with you to put on their skin and that will lead to a positive experience with sunscreen.”

What are some other ways to practice sun-safety with kids?

A large part of sun safety with kids is making sure there's the least amount of skin exposed to the sun. Wearing a hat, sunglasses, and a sun shirt will all help protect them from getting too much sun.

This is also an area where setting a good example can go a long way. Doing things like wearing sun-protective clothing, wearing sunscreen, and seeking an umbrella at the pool as a parent will teach your children sun safety. "I think that these kinds of health habits are learned habits, and so by setting a good example, kids will make better lifestyle choices," says Carqueville.

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