The 10 Best Sunscreens for Babies of 2023, Approved by Parents and Dermatologists

Before heading outdoors, protecting your baby's skin from the sun is probably one of your top priorities. And while little ones should be kept out of direct sunlight to avoid sunburn, heatstroke, and other adverse effects from UVA and UVB rays, it's still important to find the bestsunscreen for babies6个月及以上。也很好的利用其他r protective measures, such as SPF clothing to shield their skin if avoiding the sun is impossible.

Aside from selecting an appropriate SPF (a minimum of SPF 30, per the American Academy of Pediatrics), sunscreens should include safe and baby-friendlysunscreen ingredients. In 2019, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) named two ingredients as generally recognized safe and effective (GRASE) for general use: titanium dioxide and zinc oxide.The good news is these ingredients are found in many brands and are available in various forms, such as sticks and lotions. But this does require parents to take the time to read a sunscreen label carefully before purchase.

To select the best sunscreen for babies, we interviewed three pediatric dermatology specialists and researched guidelines issued by the American Academy of Dermatology Association (AAD),the Skin Cancer Foundation,and the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP).We also surveyed dozens of parents to gain further insights into how practical and effective these products are in the real world. We then researched dozens of top-rated sunscreens and analyzed their ingredients before narrowing our list down to the best options. And because applying sunscreen to a wiggly little one is not an easy feat, we also considered ease of application and how quickly it rubs into the skin.

Our Top Picks

Best Overall:

Sun Bum Baby Bum Mineral SPF 50 Sunscreen at Amazon

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Best Organic:

Badger SPF 40 Kids Mineral Sunscreen Cream at Amazon

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Best for Eczema:

Aveeno Baby Zinc Oxide Mineral Sunscreen at Amazon

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Best for Face:

Sun Bum Mineral SPF 50 Sunscreen Face Stick at Amazon

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Best for Easy Application:

Babo Botanicals Baby Skin Mineral Sunscreen at Amazon

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Best for Darker Skin:

Black Girl Sunscreen Kids SPF 50 at Walmart

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Best Stick:

Blue Lizard Baby Mineral Sunscreen Stick at Amazon

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Best Water Resistant:

Coppertone Pure & Simple Baby at Amazon

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Best for Sensitive Skin:

Thinkbaby Safe Sunscreen SPF 50 at Amazon

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Best Value:

Babyganics Sunscreen Lotion at Amazon

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In This Article

Our Picks
How We Selected
What to Look For
FAQ
Why Trust Verywell Family

Sun Bum Baby Bum Mineral SPF 50 Sunscreen

Walgreens

View On Amazon View On Target View On Academy.com

Pros

Goes on easily
Good for sensitive skin
Pleasant texture

Cons

White residue if not rubbed in

This broad-spectrum mineral sunscreen lotion uses zinc oxide to protect your little one's sensitive skin from UVA/UVB rays while playing outdoors. Sun Bum is our best overall pick because while providing that excellent protection, the lotion applies easily and doesn't leave behind an oily texture or sticky feel. It is formulated with coconut oil, shea, and cocoa butter to hydrate their skin, too.

Like many mineral sunscreens, Sun Bum Baby Bum Mineral Lotion may leave behind a white cast if you don't rub it in thoroughly. But once applied, this unscented, lightweight lotion is water-resistant and sweatproof for up to 80 minutes. Not to mention it's also paraben- and sulfate-free.

Price at time of publication: $17

^{Key Specs:
SPF:50|Active Ingredients:Zinc oxide |Application:Lotion}

Badger-spf-40-kids-mineral-sunscreen-cream

Amazon

View On Amazon View On Target View On Nhc.com

Pros

Pleasant fragrance
Sustainable
Water-resistant for 80 minutes

Cons

Thick consistency
Some may be sensitive to fragrance

Unlike many natural sunscreens formulated without fragrance, Badger SPF 40 Kids Mineral Sunscreen offers a slight tangerine and vanilla scent and plenty of sun protection. It’s developed from 97% organic ingredients, is cruelty free, and offers broad-spectrum protection. In addition to being GMO-free, this sunscreen moisturizes the skin with beeswax, jojoba, and sunflower oil.

Price at time of publication: $18

^{Key Specs:
SPF:40|Active Ingredients:Uncoated zinc oxide|Application:Lotion}

Aveeno-baby-continuous-protection-zinc-oxide-mineral-sunscreen

Amazon

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Pros

Designed for sensitive skin
National Eczema Association Seal of Acceptance
Fragrance-free

Cons

Can be hard to apply to fidgety babies
Might leave a white cast

Finding a sunscreen that is strong enough to protect Baby's skin from outside elements and UVA/UVB rays but gentle enough to not cause skin irritation is a must if your baby has sensitive skin or eczema. Aveeno Baby Continuous Protection Sensitive Skin has you and your baby covered thanks to a broad-spectrum formulation that boasts natural ingredients, like zinc oxide and oat. This hypoallergenic mineral sunscreen has earned the National Eczema Association Seal of Acceptance and is recommended by the Skin Cancer Foundation.

We also love that this lotion is non-greasy and free of chemical ingredients parents prefer to avoid, like parabens and phthalates. It's also kind to baby's sensitive eyes and provides 80 minutes of water resistance. However, applying this thick, creamy lotion to a squirmy baby may be challenging, since you have to spend some time lathering the product onto your little one's skin to avoid a white cast.

Price at time of publication: $23

^{Key Specs:
SPF:50 |Active Ingredients:Zinc oxide |Application:Lotion}

Sun Bum Mineral SPF 50 Sunscreen Face Stick | Vegan and Reef Friendly (Octinoxate & Oxybenzone Free) Broad Spectrum Natural Sunscreen with UVA/UVB...

Amazon

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Pros

Glides on smoothly
Convenient size
Hypoallergenic, vegan, and fragrance-free
Water resistant up to 80 minutes

Cons

Leaves a slight white cast on skin

Another Sun Bum pick, this SPF 50 Mineral Sunscreen Face Stick is recommended by the parents in our survey because it's small enough to carry in a diaper bag or purse and glides on smoothly, which minimizes the struggle of applying it to Baby's face.

The hypoallergenic formula is vegan, fragrance-free, and made with 19.2% zinc oxide, plus other natural ingredients like coconut oil, avocado oil, and shea butter. The result is a water-resistant sunscreen stick that can be safely applied to the lips, nose, and ears. Because it is denser, this sunscreen leaves behind a slight white cast, which some kiddos may not like. If you prefer a product that rubs in completely, theBaby Bum Roll-On Sunscreenoffers similar protection and is not as thick.

Price at time of publication: $13

^{Key Specs:
SPF:50 |Active Ingredients:Zinc oxide |Application:Stick}

Babo-botanicals-baby-skin-mineral-sunscreen

Amazon

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Pros

Sheer and lightweight
Reef-safe
Made for sensitive skin

Cons

Some dislike the smell

Because babies’ skin is so delicate, it's essential to use sunscreen that doesn’t irritate it.Babo Botanicals Baby Skin Mineral Sunscreen SPF 50 has a gentle formulation without harsh chemicals or common allergens. We love that it provides 80 minutes of water-resistant coverage. It's also unscented and contains soothing ingredients, such as calendula, shea butter, sunflower oil, and jojoba, all of which help it spread easily on the skin and leave a minimal white cast.

Price at time of publication: $17

^{Key Specs:
SPF:50 |ActiveIngredients:Zinc oxide |Application:Lotion}

Walgreens

View On Walmart View On Target View On Blackgirlsunscreen.com

Pros

No white residue
Free of parabens, oxybenzone, and octinoxate
Water resistance for up to 80 minutes

Cons

May be greasy for some skin types
Chemical sunscreen with ingredients some try to avoid

This fragrance-free broad-spectrum SPF 50 sunscreen lotion is specially designed for darker skin tones. Unlike mineral sunscreens, which can leave behind a white residue, this chemical sunscreen does not leave a white cast when applied to the skin. It's also infused with several natural ingredients, like avocado, sunflower seed oil, and chamomile. It doubles as an everyday moisturizer for your little one's face and body. However, this sunscreen does contain three active ingredients that get absorbed into the bloodstream—avobenzone, homosalate, and octisalate—and though they haven’t been proven to be harmful, the FDA has asked for more research on them.

Price at time of publication: $10

^{Key Specs:
SPF:50 |Active Ingredients:Avobenzone, homosalate, octisalate |Application:Lotion}

Blue-lizard-baby-mineral-sunscreen-stick

Amazon

View On Amazon View On Walgreens

Pros

Easy to pack
Elmo label appeals to little ones
Blends in easily

Cons

Small size

Being able to reach into a diaper bag and pull out an easy-to-apply, broad-spectrum sunscreen that hasn’t spilled on anything is one of the perks of using a sunscreen stick. This sunscreen is free of parabens, oxybenzone, and octinoxate, which can be irritating to babies’ skin. Instead, it has zinc oxide and nourishing ingredients, like aloe vera, vitamin E, shea butter, and sunflower seed oil. The stick form is super easy to apply and blends in quickly. Plus, any older baby who recognizes Elmo’s face will have happy associations when it’s time to re-apply.

Price at time of publication: $10

^{Key Specs:
SPF:50+ |Active Ingredients:Zinc oxide |Application:Stick}

Coppertone-pure--simple-baby-spf-50-sunscreen-lotion

Amazon

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Pros

Low cost
Mineral-based
Fragrance-free

Cons

White cast
Lotion can be runny

This tear-free, broad-spectrum, mineral-based sunscreen is made with nourishing botanicals, tea leaf, sea kelp, and lotus to keep baby’s skin moisturized. Unlike most Coppertone sunscreens we grew up with, this version is fragrance-free and does not contain oxybenzone, octinoxate, PABA, parabens, or dyes. The sunscreen provides 80 minutes of water resistance and is easy to apply, though some have complained that the bottle doesn’t always stay closed in bags, so watch out for spills.

Price at time of publication: $10

^{Key Specs:
SPF:50 |Active Ingredients:Zinc oxide |Application:Lotion}

Thinkbaby SPF 50+ Baby Sunscreen â Safe, Natural Sunblock for Babies - Water Resistant Sun Cream â Broad Spectrum UVA/UVB Sun Protection â Vegan Mineral Sun...

Amazon

View On Amazon View On Walmart View On Herbspro.com

Pros

Reef-friendly
Not oily

Cons

Leaves a white cast
Thick

This UVA/UVB broad-spectrum mineral sunscreen uses non-nano zinc oxide and is free of PABA, parabens, avobenzone, oxybenzone, and other chemicals. Once applied to the skin, this lotion offers 80 minutes of water resistance. Another thing we love about this sunscreen? It's cruelty free and reef-friendly. You will need to take a few seconds to thoroughly massage the lotion into the skin because it is thick and creamy. The upside of a thick sunscreen is that you can tell where you’ve applied it to your baby and where you’ve missed a spot.

Price at time of publication: $22

^{Key Specs:
SPF:50+|Active Ingredients:Zinc oxide |Application:Lotion}

Amazon

View On Amazon View On Walmart View On Target

Pros

Great value
Non-allergenic
Broad spectrum

Cons

Applies white

For parents who worry about sunscreen potentially burning their baby’s eyes, this sunscreen is water-resistant, sweatproof, and tear-free. Aside from being tear-free, Babyganics Mineral Sunscreen provides UVA/UVB broad-spectrum protection and offers 80 minutes of water resistance. In addition, it does not contain parabens, PABA, phthalates, nanoparticles, or fragrances. We love that this lotion is not greasy, but it does go on thick and white, so be prepared to spend some time applying it to your little one’s skin before heading outdoors. Another plus: It’s non-allergenic for even the most sensitive skin types.

Price at time of publication: $23

^{Key Specs:
SPF:50+ |Active Ingredients:Zinc oxide, titanium dioxide |Application:Lotion}

How We Selected the Best Sunscreen for Babies

First, we spoke with pediatric dermatologistElaine Siegfried, MD,a professor of pediatrics and dermatology in the Department of Pediatrics,Division of Dermatology, at Saint Louis University School of Medicine in St. Louis;Sophie J. Balk, MD, attending pediatrician at the Children’s Hospital at Montefiore in New York and a member of the executive committee of the AAP Council on Environmental Health and Climate Change; andAndrew Garner, MD, PhD, FAAP儿科临床教授,CWRU学院Medicine, to determine what sunscreens are safe and effective for babies. Then, we took their advice, researched various brands and applications, and selected them based on active ingredients, price, and general reviews.

What to Look for in Sunscreen for Babies

First, remember that sunscreen should never be your baby’s only protection from the sun, especially if they’re younger than 6 months old. The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) suggests that if a younger baby absolutely can’t be kept out of the sun and protected by clothing, shade, and/or a hat, you may apply a small amount of sunscreen on exposed skin.

"It's important to use a combination of sun protection methods, not just sunscreen: Wearing clothing and hats, timing activities outside of peak sun hours (10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Daylight Saving Time, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Standard Time), seeking shade and consulting the Ultraviolet (UV) Index," Dr. Balk tells Verywell Family. Other accessories to use include:

Sunglasses (look for a label that states the product absorbs 99%–100% of the full UV spectrum)
Long-sleeved, lightweight cotton shirts and pants
Wide-brimmed hats that shade the cheeks and back of the neck
Swimwear with a high-protection rating

When selecting a sunscreen, there are a few things to look for. First, opt for broad-spectrum sunscreens as they offer protection from UVB rays, which cause sunburn, and UVA rays, which penetrate deeper into the skin and are associated with more long-term damage. Second, pick an SPF 30 or higher. Then, take time to read the ingredients label.

Ingredients

Zinc oxide and titanium dioxide are the two active ingredients that the FDA has deemed “safe for use” in sunscreen. These ingredients, known as mineral sunscreen or physical sunscreen, work by blocking the sun’s rays. Chemical sunscreens with ingredients such as oxybenzone, avobenzone, and octinoxate, absorb the rays instead. The issue is that because these ingredients are also absorbed into the bloodstream, there is a bigger concern about whether they are harmful. A 2019 report stated that there is still insufficient data for the safety of the following 12 active sunscreen ingredients:

Oxybenzone
Avobenzone
Cinoxate
Dioxybenzone
Ensulizole
Homosalate
Meradimate
Octinoxate
Octisalate
Octocrylene
Padimate O
Sulisobenzone

It’s important to note that the FDA and the AAD have not yet told consumers to avoid those ingredients, as the top priority is still to make sure people use sunscreens to prevent skin cancer.

Application

Sunscreen sticks and lotions or creams are the preferred application types when used correctly. While easy and quick to apply to a squirming baby, sprays make it easy for a parent to miss spots on the baby's skin and do not always result in even application. Inhalation of aerosols is another concern.

“FDA没有批准防晒湿巾,towelettes, powders, body washes, or shampoos, so these should be avoided,” Dr. Balk says. "Sprays are convenient, but parents need to make sure children don't inhale them. They can spray their hands first, then apply them to the children. In general, sunscreen is applied to uncovered skin while avoiding the mouth and eyes.”

Taking time to apply sunscreen to exposed skin is key to the proper application and the best way to keep your baby safe from sunburn. Before you leave the house for a day at the park or any time spent outdoors, take time to apply sunscreen on their exposed skin. This application includes the back of the hands, ears, back of the neck, feet, back of the knees, and the top of the head if your baby has patches of hair that leave skin vulnerable to the sun. Make sure to read the sunscreen label for directions on how long it takes to absorb into the skin since you’ll want to apply it before heading outside (typically 15 minutes). Then, remember to reapply sunscreen throughout the day to avoid sunburn. Most sunscreens should be reapplied every two hours, but check the product’s label for more direction.

“Apply sunscreen frequently—too often is seldom a problem, but too infrequent can make for an uncomfortable tomorrow,” Dr. Garner says.

Skin Type

Baby’s skin is sensitive and delicate, making it imperative to lather them in a sunscreen that does not aggravate baby eczema or irritate their skin. For babies who experience eczema, moisture is a must.

"One way to think about eczema is to consider it an ‘allergy’ [to] dry skin,” Dr. Garner explains. “If you are allergic to cats, you avoid cats. If you are allergic to dry skin, you avoid dry skin. Moisturizers are the first-line treatment, and continued use will prevent recurrences. Hypoallergenic formulations like Aveeno or CeraVe can be very helpful, but my experience is that what really matters is notwhichmoisturizer is used buthow oftenit is being used.”

The National Eczema Association (NEA) provides a list of approved sunscreens that play nicely with a baby's sensitive skin. To earn the NEA Seal of Acceptance, sunscreen must use mineral-based ingredients (titanium dioxide and zinc oxide), be alcohol-free, protect from UVA and UVB rays (also known as broad-spectrum), and be SPF 30 or higher.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can babies under 6 months wear sunscreen?

Yes, babies under 6 months can wear sunscreen if absolutely necessary. The AAP suggests sunscreen be used on small areas of the body's skin when a baby cannot be kept out of direct sunlight.However, your first line of defense for babies under 6 months should be to avoid UV exposure altogether and use protective clothing.

One crucial reminder: To avoid ingestion, parents need to ensure that they're not putting sunscreen-covered body parts into their mouth, Dr. Balk notes.

If you have questions about when it's safe to use sunscreen on your baby or need recommendations on sunscreens, you should reach out to your pediatrician for help.
What SPF should I use on my baby?

Look for an SPF of at least 30, and make sure it provides broad-spectrum protection, which prevents damage from both UVA and UVB rays. It’s also important to make sure to apply sunscreen thoroughly and reapply frequently.
我需要使用太阳吗screen if I keep my baby out of the sun and in SPF-rated clothing?

是的,你应该使用的组合措施,protect a baby’s delicate skin. If you’re in the sun, find some shade or use a stroller canopy to avoid sunburn, heatstroke, and other adverse effects from UVA and UVB rays. Use sunscreen along with lightweight long-sleeve shirts, hats, pants, SPF clothing, and sunglasses. Another suggestion: Time activities outside of peak sun hours.

Why Trust Verywell Family

Ambrosia V. Brodyis a California-based editor, journalist, and mother to three. She has worked as a professional journalist for more than 16 years. When she isn't writing, you can find her at the library, Starbucks, or the park with her kids.