As responsible parents, keeping our baby’s skin protected from the harmful effects of the sun is of utmost importance. Spending time outdoors, whether it’s for swimming or just to enjoy some fresh air, is a cherished part of parenthood. However, with increased exposure to the sun comes the risk of skin damage, including sunburns and skin cancer. That’s why it’s critical to use high-quality and effective baby sunscreens.
With numerous sunscreens on the market, it can be challenging to choose the right one for your child. To help simplify the process, this article will provide a comprehensive guide to the best sunscreens for babies, detailing the key factors to consider when making a purchase, and highlighting the best options available.
From mineral-based sunscreens to those made with organic ingredients, we’ll help you choose a sunscreen that will provide the highest level of protection for your baby’s skin while being gentle and safe for everyday use.
Our Top Picks
- Best Baby Sunscreen Overall: Blue Lizard Baby Mineral Sunscreen
- Best Value Baby Sunscreen: Coppertone Pure and Simple Baby Sunscreen
- Best Baby Sunscreen For Eczema: Aveeno Baby Continuous Protection Sunscreen
- Best Baby Sunscreen For Sensitive Skin: Neutrogena Pure & Free Baby Mineral Sunscreen
- Best Baby Sunscreen Spray: Sun Bum Baby Bum SPF 50 Sunscreen Spray
- Best Natural Baby Sunscreen: Thinkbaby SPF 50+ Baby Sunscreen
- Best Baby Sunscreen Stick: Mustela Baby Mineral Sunscreen Stick
- Best Baby Sunscreen For Dark Skin: Badger Kids Mineral Sunscreen Cream
- Best Fragrance-Free Baby Sunscreen: Babo Botanicals Baby Skin Mineral Sunscreen
In This Article
HappyBabyHub’s Best Sunscreens For Babies Picks
Blue Lizard Baby Mineral Sunscreen – Best Baby Sunscreen Overall
- The white zinc does prevent sunburns
- Great for sensitive skin
- Spreads easily
- Leaves a silky glow that is not oily
- It does look white when first applied, but once it’s rubbed in that disappears
Blue Lizard’s Baby Sunscreen is a mineral-based, paraben-free, and perfume-free product designed to protect delicate skin like a baby’s bottom. The sunscreen deflects 97% of harmful UV rays using Zinc Oxide and Titanium Dioxide and has an SPF 50+ formula for broad-spectrum protection.
The Smart Bottle and Smart Cap Technology make it easy to teach children about safe sun exposure by turning pink when exposed to UV, reminding them to reapply. This is a great way to instill good sun safety habits in children at an early age.
Coppertone Pure and Simple Baby Sunscreen – Best Value Baby Sunscreen
- Great coverage
- Fewer chemicals than most
- Truly for sensitive skin; absolutely no fragrance
- No sunburn, really works
- It makes skin look chalky white
The Pure & Simple Baby SPF 50 sunscreen lotion is a gentle, yet effective sun protection solution for babies and their delicate skin. With its main active ingredient, zinc oxide, this sunscreen provides 100% mineral-based protection against harmful UV rays. The formula is specially crafted to be kind to a baby’s sensitive skin, free from harmful ingredients like parabens, oxybenzone, octinoxate, PABA, dyes, and scent.
This sunscreen is not only tear-free and hypoallergenic but also enriched with soothing herbal extracts like tea leaves, sea kelp, and lotus to provide additional skin benefits. Plus, the 80-minute water resistance makes it ideal for outdoor activities, ensuring your baby stays protected even after a dip in the pool or a run in the sprinkler.
Aveeno Baby Continuous Protection Sunscreen – Best Baby Sunscreen For Eczema
- It smells great
- Works for sensitive skin
- Lasts for hours
- It’s very thick
- Looks a bit pasty when applied
This amazing sunscreen boasts 100% organic zinc oxide, ensuring complete protection against harmful UVA/UVB rays. The inclusion of oat helps to calm and soothe sensitive skin, making it ideal for even the most delicate little ones.
With its sweat and water-resistant formula, this mineral sunscreen can withstand outdoor activities for up to 80 minutes. The non-greasy and tear-free formula is free from harmful ingredients such as phthalates, parabens, and scents, making it perfect for babies with sensitive skin.
The National Eczema Association has given this infant mineral sunscreen its Seal of Acceptance, and it is also recommended by the Skin Cancer Foundation for its broad-spectrum efficiency. It can be applied to both the face and body and comes in a compact TSA-friendly travel container.
Neutrogena Pure & Free Baby Mineral Sunscreen – Best Baby Sunscreen For Sensitive Skin
- Non-sticky
- Gentle on baby’s skin
- Does not irritate sensitive skin
- Thick but gets the job done
- It takes a while to soak in
This sunscreen offers mineral-based barrier protection with a high SPF of 50, providing a strong shield against harmful UVA and UVB radiation. The active ingredients, zinc oxide, and titanium dioxide work together to deflect the sun’s damaging rays, ensuring that your child’s skin stays protected and healthy.
Many mothers have reported that this formula is non-sticky and non-greasy, leaving no residue behind. It’s also water-resistant for 80 minutes, making it the perfect choice for outdoor play and swimming. No more worrying about constantly reapplying sunscreen to your child’s skin, this formula will stay put even after a dip in the water.
Sun Bum Baby Bum SPF 50 Sunscreen Spray – Best Baby Sunscreen Spray
- Fragrance-free
- Does not feel too heavy
- Spreads well
- Gentle on skin
- Leaves a white film
This compact sunscreen spray from Sun Bum is perfect for on-the-go protection for your little ones. Its mineral-based formula provides full coverage against harmful UVA and UVB radiation. The non-greasy texture makes it easy to apply and absorb on both the face and body. Plus, the natural ingredients, including zinc oxide, coconut oil, shea butter, and cocoa butter, moisturize and nourish all skin types.
It’s vegan, cruelty-free, gluten-free, and free of dyes, ensuring that even the most sensitive skin is protected. Simply spray all exposed skin and massage until absorbed, and reapply every 80 minutes after swimming.
Thinkbaby SPF 50+ Baby Sunscreen – Best Natural Baby Sunscreen
- Leaves shiny, thin layer of sunscreen on the skin
- Very water-resistant
- Smells nice
- More natural compared to others
- Because it isn’t oily, you have to rub it in well, can take some time
Thinkbaby sunscreen provides effective SPF 50+ sun protection for newborns. Its broad spectrum coverage against UVA and UVB rays makes it perfect for daily use on newborns’ delicate skin. The easy-to-apply, fast-absorbing formula is moisturizing and won’t leave skin greasy or sticky.
The sunscreen has no strong chemical odor and is vegan, certified by Leaping Bunny, and meets Whole Foods Premium Care criteria. It’s free from harmful ingredients like PABA, parabens, phthalates, BPA, oxybenzone, avobenzone, petroleum, gluten, and other hazardous chemicals. It is also produced in the USA.
Mustela Baby Mineral Sunscreen Stick – Best Baby Sunscreen Stick
- The stick form makes it easier to spread than a lot of other mineral sunscreens
- Non-toxic
- Not heavy
- Great baby’s face
- A bit greasy
This Mustela Mineral Baby Sunscreen Stick is made with organic formula, enriched with ingredients such as shea butter, avocado oil, and jojoba, and provides a smooth and effortless application that sets it apart from other mineral sunscreen sticks that may be difficult to spread.
Perfect for those busy baby moments, the stick is easy to handle and apply, especially on the face, where you want to avoid getting it into the eyes. With an SPF 50+ rating, this broad-spectrum UVA & UVB sun protection helps shield your baby’s skin from the harmful rays of the sun.
This is also kind to sensitive skin, receiving approval from the National Eczema Association and being hypoallergenic in nature. Additionally, it has a water resistance of up to 80 minutes, ensuring your baby’s skin remains protected even after a splash in the water.
Badger Kids Mineral Sunscreen Cream – Best Baby Sunscreen For Dark Skin
- Great scent
- Rubs on easily
- Zinc ingredient really makes it great for darker skin
- Moisturizing
- The texture is a bit thick
Badger’s commitment to the environment and marine life is evident in the production of their sunscreen. This sunscreen is made with environmentally conscious practices, including the use of pure solar energy and a 50% PCR tube, and has been certified cruelty-free.
With a simple and straightforward formula consisting of 97% organic ingredients, including sunflower oil, jojoba, and beeswax. The all-organic formula is not only gentle on sensitive skin but also nourishing, providing antioxidant benefits for optimal skin health. Additionally, the inclusion of zinc oxide makes this sunscreen suitable for use on dark skin.
Babo Botanicals Baby Skin Mineral Sunscreen – Best Fragrance-Free Baby Sunscreen
- It is fragrance-free
- It’s non-irritating
- Hypoallergenic sunscreen with mineral-based ingredients
- It doesn’t dry out the skin
- A little bit greasy due to the ingredients
Babo Botanicals Baby Skin Mineral Sunscreen SPF 50 offers a gentle and fragrance-free solution, with its chemical-free and allergy-free formula. This water-resistant sunscreen provides up to 80 minutes of protection, ensuring that your little one stays safe under the sun.
The cream’s smooth consistency is attributed to its nourishing ingredients, including calendula, shea butter, sunflower oil, and jojoba, which also help to reduce any white cast. The gentle composition of this odorless sunscreen is further enhanced with calming elements, making it a perfect choice for a baby’s sensitive skin.
How To Choose The Best Baby Sunscreen?
- Sun Protection Factor (SPF): Choose a sunscreen with an SPF of at least 30 to protect your baby’s skin from harmful UV rays.
- Broad-Spectrum Protection: Look for a sunscreen that provides protection against both UVA and UVB rays.
- Ingredients: Avoid sunscreens that contain harmful chemicals like oxybenzone and octinoxate, and opt for sunscreens made with natural, gentle ingredients like zinc oxide and titanium dioxide.
- Application: Consider the application method, whether it is a spray, lotion, or stick, and make sure it is easy to apply to your baby’s skin. We included all options in this guide.
- Skin Type: Choose a sunscreen that is suitable for your baby’s skin type, whether it is sensitive, dry, or oily.
- Water-Resistance: If your baby will be spending time in the water, look for a water-resistant sunscreen that will not wash off easily.
How To Apply Baby Sunscreen?
- Choose a broad-spectrum, water-resistant sunscreen with an SPF of at least 30 for babies over 6 months (1).
- Apply the sunscreen 15-30 minutes before going outside to allow it to fully absorb into the skin.
- Make sure to cover all exposed skin, including the face, neck, arms, legs, and even the tops of the feet.
- Reapply the sunscreen every 2 hours or immediately after swimming or sweating.
- Use gentle, circular motions to apply the sunscreen to avoid irritating delicate skin.
Why Should Your Baby Use Sunscreen?
Sunscreen is important for babies as their skin is more delicate and sensitive compared to adult skin. UV rays from the sun can cause skin damage such as sunburns, and skin aging, and increase the risk of skin cancer (2). By using safe and effective baby sunscreens, parents can protect their child’s skin and ensure that they can enjoy outdoor activities without worrying about potential skin damage.
Can Babies Under 6 Months Wear Sunscreen?
Babies under 6 months old should not wear sunscreen as their skin is very delicate and sensitive and the chemicals in some sunscreens can cause irritation or rashes (3). Additionally, their skin has not fully developed the ability to protect against harmful UV rays. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends keeping babies under 6 months old out of direct sunlight and keeping them covered with protective clothing, sunglasses, tents, and hats to prevent sun exposure (4).
What Is The Best Kind Of Sunscreen For Babies?
The best kind of sunscreen for babies is one that is gentle on their delicate skin and contains active ingredients that are safe for babies to use. Ideally, the sunscreen should have a high SPF, be water-resistant, and contain natural and hypoallergenic ingredients.
Some of the best baby sunscreens contain physical blockers like zinc oxide or titanium dioxide, as these are considered safer for use on infants than chemical sunscreens. Also, look for a broad-spectrum formula that provides protection against both UVA and UVB rays. This type of sunscreen will help prevent sunburns, skin aging, and skin cancer.
What To Avoid In Baby Sunscreens?
When looking for sunscreens for your baby, you want to avoid products that contain retinyl palmitate or oxybenzone. Retinyl palmitate is a form of vitamin A that can be harmful to babies, while oxybenzone can cause skin irritation.
What SPF Should Baby Sunscreen Be?
It’s recommended to use a baby-specific sunscreen with at least SPF 30 and broad-spectrum protection against UVA and UVB rays. Higher SPF values (e.g. 50+) provide better protection, but it’s crucial to reapply sunscreen every 2 hours and after swimming, sweating, or toweling off.
Why Should I Choose A Mineral-based Baby Sunscreen Over A Chemical-based One?
There are a few reasons why you might choose a mineral-based sunscreen over a chemical-based one for your baby. First, minerals like zinc oxide and titanium dioxide provide physical protection from the sun, meaning they sit on top of the skin and reflect UV rays away (5). Chemical sunscreens, on the other hand, work by absorbing UV rays and converting them into heat, which is then released from the skin.
Some parents prefer mineral sunscreens because they are less likely to irritate sensitive skin, and they don’t typically have the strong scent that chemical sunscreens can have. Additionally, mineral sunscreens are less likely to be absorbed into the skin, so they are less likely to cause any internal side effects.
Do I Need To Use Sunscreen If I Keep My Baby Out Of The Sun And In Spf-rated Clothing?
The short answer is yes. Even if you are careful to keep your baby out of direct sunlight and dress them in clothing with an SPF rating, it is important to use sunscreen as well. This is because clothing like swim vests and sun hats can provide only partial protection from the sun, and UV rays can still penetrate through. By using sunscreen, you can ensure that your baby’s skin is fully protected from the harmful effects of the sun.
