New babies are a new beginning, a ray of hope and a dream of possibilities. They bring joy, happiness, and love with them. They are to be cherished, loved and cared for. And caring for babies is a huge responsibility. One such responsibility is to make them wear a sunscreen, to protect them from the harsh rays of the sun.
Sunscreen/ Sunblock/ Suntan lotion is a topical product, that absorbs or reflects some of the sun’s UV rays. It helps protect us from sunburn and sun damage.
Parents of little ones need to be extra vigilant about sun protection at all times, as a baby’s skin is much more sensitive than an adult’s. So, we can’t take any chances here, it’s of prime importance to find the right one.
But finding a good baby sunscreen can be a complicated process. In fact, it’s important to have a checklist, to find the best one. But the parameters for buying baby sunscreen will vary from child to child. Parents need to assess their kid’s age, skin type, any skin problems or allergies, and the amount of exposure in the sun before they make up their mind.
Best Baby Sunscreens Buying Guide
Here is a general buying guide to choosing the best sunscreen for your kid:
Let’s elaborate our checklist further:
EWG – Environment Working Group approved
EWG is an American Environmental Organization, that specializes in research and advocacy, to protect public health and environment against any toxic chemicals.
It is of prime importance that the product you choose for your little one does not contain any toxic chemicals. The safest choice here would be to opt for only natural ingredients. Go for the product which claims to have organic ingredients or is natural mineral based.
Broad-Spectrum Sunscreen
The new broad-spectrum sunscreens are the ones, which protect your sweetheart against both UVA and UVB rays of the sun. An SPF 15 plus product works well to keep UVB rays at bay, whereas, for UVA protection, you need to pay attention to the ingredients.
An SPF 15 zinc oxide sunscreen should work well for most toddlers, as it gives protection against both UVA and UVB rays. But if your child is out in the sun for a longer duration, then go for a higher SPF.
Water-resistant Baby Sunscreen
The water-resistant ones are sweat resistant, and most helpful for school going kids as they remain outdoors for a long duration. But, you have to understand that water resistant is not equivalent to water-proof. Even the water-resistant ones need to be reapplied every few hours, to attain maximum benefit out of it.
- For the most up-to-date information on approved sunscreen ingredients, visit the FDA Web site.
Zinc Oxide Sunscreen
Zinc Oxide is the safest and skin-friendly natural mineral that protects us against UVA rays. It is less expensive than most other chemicals, and fairly common and safe bet for a baby sunscreen. It makes the cream thick and white, which might make your little one look pale and ghostly. Therefore, it is ideal to go for the newer compositions, which are much more user-friendly.
Biodegradable Sunscreen
Biodegradable sunscreens are chemical-free eco-friendly products, which do not absorb, rather sit on the surface of the skin. The active ingredient in a biodegradable sunblock, is zinc-oxide mostly. It is good for your baby’s skin as it contains only natural ingredients.
Kids-friendly Sunscreen
Most sunscreens fulfilling the above parameters are kids-friendly as it is. But, the icing on the cake here would be an attractive easy to use bottle, spray-on dispenser and a good flavored fragrance.
Though, all these things are of secondary importance. But, to make a product attractive and exciting for the child is a bonus. This will certainly make all mothers’ life easy.
Now that we know what we are looking for in a baby sunscreen, let’s talk about some of the popular options available online.
Top 10 Best Baby Sunscreens (Reviews and compare)
| Short Reviews | Features | Highlight | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Neutrogena Pure & Free Sunscreen | ▪ Mineral Based ▪ Broad Spectrum ▪ Water Resistant ▪ SPF 50 | ▪ Accepted by National Eczema Association | |
| Coppertone Waterbabies Sunscreen | ▪ Broad Spectrum ▪ Water Resistant ▪ SPF 50 | ▪ Dermatologically Tested | |
| Babyganics Mineral based Sunscreen | ▪ Organic ▪ Broad Spectrum ▪ Water Resistant ▪ SPF 50 | ▪ Pediatrician and Dermatologist tested | |
| Thinkbaby Safe Sunscreen | ▪ 20% Zinc Oxide ▪ Broad Spectrum ▪ Water Resistant ▪ SPF 50 | ▪ Top rated by EWG ▪ Member of Campaign for Safe Cosmetics ▪ Passed whole Foods Care requirements | |
| Banana Boat Baby Sunscreen | ▪ Tear free, Mild ▪ Broad Spectrum ▪ Water Resistant ▪ SPF 50 | ▪ Dermatologist tested ▪ Recommended by Skin Care Foundation | |
| CeraVe Baby Sunscreen | ▪ Mineral Based ▪ Contains Ceramide ▪ Broad Spectrum ▪ Water Resistant ▪ SPF 45 | ▪ Accepted by National Eczema Association | |
| Badger Baby Sunscreen Cream | ▪ Organic, Biodegradable ▪ Broad Spectrum ▪ Water Resistant ▪ SPF 30 | ▪ Pediatrician Tested, safe Choice | |
| Blue Lizard Australian Sunscreen | ▪ Chemical Free ▪ Broad Spectrum ▪ Water Resistant ▪ SPF 30 | ▪ Dermatologically Tested ▪ Unique Packaging | |
| TotLogic Safe sunscreen | ▪ Natural, Plant Based ▪ Broad Spectrum ▪ Water Resistant ▪ SPF 30 | ▪ Rated number one on EWG | |
| Adorable Baby Sunscreen | ▪ Natural, Plant Based ▪ Broad Spectrum ▪ Water Resistant ▪ SPF 30 | ▪ Contains uncoated Non-Nano Zinc Oxide - 24.7% |
Neutrogena Pure & Free -Editor choice, best overall ratings
Neutrogena has been ranked number one dermatologist recommended sun care brand over the years.
It’s Pure and Free Baby Mineral Sunscreen is a naturally sourced 100% mineral based zinc oxide product, formulated especially for babies’ delicate skin. It is also considered safe, and accepted by National Eczema Association of America.
It is dermatologist tested and approved, contains superior broad-spectrum protection against both UVA and UVB rays of the sun. The formula is made with Purescreen technology, that helps absorb, reflect and scatter dangerous sun rays.
It is a tear free hypoallergenic product, free of fragrance, parabens, phthalates, dyes, and irritating chemicals. It is also water resistant, and comes in an easy to use and easy to carry tube.
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Coppertone Waterbabies – Best for the money
This lotion is a chemical-based product, with main active ingredients as Homosalate and Octocrylene.
The company claims that it is dermatologically tested, hypoallergenic, gentle, non-irritating formula. It also states that Coppertone is the number one pediatric recommended sunscreen brand in the USA.
Main features of this product are, it is photostable, provides broad-spectrum UVA/UVB protection and has a high SPF protection of SPF50. Also, it is water-resistant for up to 80 minutes, making it a suitable choice for parents of kids indulging in outdoor activities. It comes in easy to use and easy to carry tube packaging.
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Babyganics Mineral based Sunscreen
Babyganics Mineral based Baby Sunscreen Lotion is a plant-based product with certified organic ingredients. It contains NeoNourish Seed Oil blend, i.e., a blend of tomato, sunflower, cranberry, black cumin and raspberry seed oils; with active ingredients being zinc oxide, titanium dioxide and octisalate.
It’s a dermatologist and pediatrician tested baby sunscreen, with the broad-spectrum protection of SPF 50+, providing protection against both UVA and UVB sun rays.
This sunscreen is the non-allergenic tear-free formula, which does not contain any PABA, phthalates, parabens, fragrances or nano-particles.
It comes in a colorful, vibrant, easy to use and easy to carrytube packaging, which makes it an attractive choice for kids. It is also a great product for all animal lovers out there, as it is not tested on animals.
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Thinkbaby Safe Sunscreen- Best for oily skin
As a dermatologist recommended SPF 50+ product, Thinkbaby Safe Sunscreen has been an EWG rated number 1 since 2010.
It is a mineral based sunscreen with the active ingredient being 20% zinc oxide, it is free of any biologically harmful chemicals, such as avobenzone, oxybenzone or UV chemical absorbers.
It is the first sunscreen to have passed Whole Foods Premium Care requirements. Also, a member of Safe Cosmetics Campaign Compact and Sun Safety Coalition.
The sunscreen has highest SPF, Water Resistance and Broadspectrum coverage as proposed by the 2012 FDA Guideline. It’s a winner of more awards than any other sun care line, including Allure’s “Best of”.
It is a non-nano zinc oxide formulation, absolutely non-oily and easy to apply. It comes in an easy to use and easy to carry tube, not tested on animals.
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Banana Boat Baby Sunscreen-Best for sensitive skin
Banana Boat sunscreen lotion is a pediatrician tested, tear-free, alcohol-free, gentle formula, clinically tested to be mild on baby’s sensitive skin.
It is a broad spectrum UVA and UVB protection product, water resistant for up to 80 minutes.
The active ingredients of this product are Homosalate, Octinoxate, octisalate and only 2.4% Titanium Dioxide.
It is recommended to be safe as an effective broad-spectrum lotion, by the Skin Cancer Foundation.
It is quite economical, and comes in an easy to use and easy to carry tube packaging.
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CeraVe Baby Sunscreen- Best for young kids
This is a naturally sourced product, with essential ceramides and soothing aloe, to protect delicate skin from sun’s damaging UVA and UVB rays.
It is formulated with essential ceramides, to help repair and restore the protective skin barrier.
This product is a broad spectrum sunscreen, with 100% naturally sourced active ingredients, i.e., physical sunscreens Titanium Dioxide and Zinc Oxide.
It is a fragrance-free, hypoallergenic formula; free of parabens and sulphates.
CeraVe Baby sunscreen is designed with dermatologists, especially for young kids. It is suitable for all skin types and offers water resistance of upto 80 minutes at SPF 45. It is also accepted by National Eczema Association, as a safe product.
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Badger Baby Sunscreen Cream
Badger Baby sunscreen is a 100% certified natural and 94% certified organic cream for kids. It’s a safe and effective pediatrician tested broad spectrum sunscreen.
As a non-Nano UVA/UVB, biodegradable sunblock, this product is a mineral based SPF 30 chamomile and calendula cream, with the active ingredient being zinc oxide.
It is water resistant at up to 40 minutes. Comes in convenient tube packaging. It is not tested on animals.
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Blue Lizard Australian Sunscreen- Safe choice
This is a broad spectrum sun block, which uses transparent Zinc Oxide along with Titanium Dioxide, to provide broad spectrum protection from both UVA and UVB rays.
Blue Lizard contains 10% zinc oxide and 5% titanium dioxide as it’s natural ingredients. It is dermatologist recommended sunscreen, gentle for baby’s sensitive skin.
It is Paraben-Free, Fragrance-Free and Chemical Free, making it a safe choice for younger kids and kids with skin allergies.
The product comes in two sizes of 3-ounce tube and 8.75-ounce bottle.
One thing unique to this sunscreen is that it is packed in a Smart bottle, i.e., a technology that turns the bottle pink when harmful UVA rays are present. A very exciting feature to attract children.
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TotLogic Safe Sunscreen -Suitable for all ages
This is a natural zinc oxide mineral sunscreen, with a non Nano and hypoallergenic formula. It does not contain any paba, paraben and phthalate.
It offers Broad Spectrum, UVA and UVB protection for face and body.
A safe and effective formula for babies over 6 months, and suitable for people of all ages.
It is water resistant and sweat resistant for up to 80 minutes.
Made in the US, it is rich in anti-oxidants, and does not contain any artificial flavors, colors or fragrances.
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Adorable Baby Sunscreen
Adorable Baby Sunscreen is a 100% Natural, physical/mineral lotion, made of all natural ingredients to ensure a natural and healthy feeling among consumers.
It contains uncoated Non-Nano Zinc Oxide – 24.7%, without harmful synthetic or chemical ingredient. Also, it offers water resistance of up to 40 minutes.
This is a broad spectrum lotion, when applied frequently it can effectively protect your child from sun damage and increased risk of skin cancer.
It is designed especially for babies, though it is an excellent and safe choice for all ages.
Every ingredient in this product carries a low hazard score by the EWG, making it a safe choice for your skin and the environment.
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- You may also like: Best Best Body Wash
In Closing
Almost all sunscreens have been claimed to be dermatologically tested or pediatrician approved. The brands boast of their accreditation and certificates, but only a handful are as safe as they claim to be.
The golden rule here is to go for only natural mineral based sunscreen, mostly zinc oxide, making sure that the product is as much chemical free as possible.
Each one of the lot is a broad-spectrum sunscreen, and all of them are offering an SPF protection of more than SPF30. Most are water resistant as well. But, each one comes with its own pros and cons.
What matters here is what is important to you, whether it is the SPF or the consistency or the water resistance threshold of the lotion. You must prioritize your list of parameters essential to you.
All in all, it makes sense to invest in a good sunscreen, finding the best match as per your needs. A parent knows what is best for his/her child, therefore find your best sunscreen and make sure you always make your child wear a sunscreen during daytime.
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