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Sunscreen Recommendations for Kids (Babies, Toddlers and Older)
Wearing sunscreen is essential for preventing skin damage. Babies and children have sensitive skin and shouldn’t go outside without wearing a child-friendly lotion. The best sunscreen for kids should contain ingredients that won’t irritate your child’s skin, and your child should wear sunglasses, a hat, and other protective clothing all year round.
Source: Thoughtco
How to Choose the Best Sunscreen for Kids
Here is what to look for when choosing sunscreen for your child:
SPF: The Sun Protection Factor indicates how long the product will protect your skin from UVB rays. We recommend choosing a sunscreen with an SPF of 30 or higher.
Safe ingredients: Look for a sunscreen with zinc oxide or titanium dioxide since these ingredients won’t irritate your child’s skin.
Easy application: You should reapply sunscreen as needed. Think about using a stick for your child’s face, or choose a spray-on lotion.
Our Sunscreen Recommendations
Whether you’re headed to the beach or ski slopes, make sure you pack some child-friendly sunscreen.
Best Chemical Sunscreen for Kids
Chemical sunscreen is effective and lasts a long time.
1. Neutrogena Wet Skin Kids Water Resistant Sunscreen Stick
ChildFun Favorite
SPF: 70 Main ingredient: Homosalate
We like this sunscreen because the stick and formula allow for quick and easy application, even when your child’s skin is wet. The hypoallergenic formula is ideal for sensitive skin, and the SPF 70 is ideal for a day at the beach or pool.
The non-comedogenic and oil-free formula of this SPF 50 lotion is ideal for kids with sensitive or oily skin. The product provides excellent broad-spectrum protection against UVA and UVB rays, and it’s one of the products recommended by the Skin Cancer Foundation.
The best sunscreen for kids contains natural ingredients that won’t irritate their skin.
1. Aveeno Kids Continuous Protection Sunscreen
ChildFun Favorite
SPF: 50 Main ingredient: Zinc oxide
This lotion protects from sun rays and prevents skin damage thanks to its zinc oxide content. It contains oats to soothe the skin, and the formula will lock in moisture to avoid making your child’s skin dry.
2. Banana Boat Simply Protect Mineral-Based Sunscreen Lotion for Kids
SPF: 50+ Main ingredient: Zinc oxide
This sunscreen is a great option for the value-conscious shopper, and it contains zinc oxide and titanium dioxide to protect your child’s skin. It’s a broad-spectrum formula that will last for two hours.
An SPF 30+ sunscreen is ideal for limited exposure to sun rays.
1. Miami Cool Kids LaPlaya Zinc Organic Sun Stick
ChildFun Favorite
SPF: 30 Main ingredient: Zinc oxide
We like this sunscreen because it contains organic ingredients that are safe for your skin and the environment. The stick formula is perfect for young children who don’t like lotion, and the product contains coconut oil to nourish and hydrate your child’s skin.
Downsides:
Higher SPF is preferred for prolonged exposure to the sun
This broad-spectrum sunscreen contains natural ingredients. It has a pleasant aroma of orange and vanilla and will protect your child’s skin thanks to its zinc oxide content.
Downsides:
Not as effective as products that have a higher SPF
It’s best to choose a product with an SPF of 50 or higher to reduce risks of skin damage.
1. Australian Gold Botanical Sunscreen Mineral Lotion for Kids
ChildFun Favorite
SPF: 50 Main ingredient: Titanium dioxide, zinc oxide
This mineral lotion delivers UVA and UVB protection. It has a pleasant citrus smell and contains plant extracts with antioxidants. The titanium dioxide and zinc oxide will form a protective layer that isn’t greasy on your child’s skin.
Downsides:
Botanical extracts aren’t ideal for babies
Young children might not like the citrus fragrance
This water-resistant lotion is perfect for a day at the beach or pool. It contains aloe vera extract to prevent irritation, jojoba oil, and vitamins that nourish the skin. The product has excellent ratings in the EWG database.
We recommend using products designed with babies in mind since they tend to have sensitive skin, and some products can cause eczema.
1. Neutrogena Pure & Free Baby Mineral Sunscreen Stick
ChildFun Favorite
SPF: 60 Main ingredient: Titanium dioxine, zinc oxide
This sunscreen stick is ideal for babies thanks to its SPF 60+ and its natural ingredients. The stick formula is convenient for applying sunscreen on a fussy baby, and the product doesn’t have a long list of ingredients like most sunscreen lotions. The National Eczema Association recommends this product!
Downsides:
Application can take longer because of the stick formula
This broad-spectrum sunscreen is water-resistant and protects your baby’s skin with its zinc oxide, octisalate, and titanium dioxide content. The levels of active ingredients are lower than what you will find in other products to prevent irritation.
Downsides:
Contains some chemical ingredients
Some shoppers say the lotion has a thick consistency
Toddlers need long-lasting protection in a convenient formula for a quick and easy application.
1. La Roche-Posay Anthelios Dermo Kids Sunscreen
ChildFun Favorite
No products found.
SPF: 60 Main ingredient: Homosalate
The SPF 60 rating of this lotion is ideal for young children who are more likely to get sunburnt while playing on the beach or by the pool. It’s a water-resistant formula that is gentle on the skin. We feel confident recommending this sunscreen since the Skin Cancer Foundation has endorsed it!
Downsides:
Application can be messy
Contains more chemicals than other products
No products found.
2. Blue Lizard Baby Mineral Sunscreen
No products found.
SPF: 30+ Main ingredient: Zinc oxide
Choosing a sunscreen with a recognizable cartoon character on the bottle could be the key to getting your fussy toddler to sit still long enough for you to apply sunscreen. This broad-spectrum lotion doesn’t contain any active chemical ingredients and uses zinc oxide and titanium dioxide to protect your child’s skin from UVA and UVB rays.
Downsides:
Some of the inactive ingredients aren’t natural
Your child might need a product with a higher SPF
No products found.
Best Sunscreen for Ages 5-12
It’s important to choose a broad-spectrum product that your child can apply by themselves for that age range.
1. Neutrogena Wet Skin Kids Sunscreen Spray
ChildFun Favorite
No products found.
SPF: 70+ Main ingredient: Homosalate
Neutrogena offers a broad-spectrum spray-on sunscreen with a high SPF of 70. We think it’s a great value since you can purchase a two-pack, and the sunscreen won’t wash off if your child swims in the pool or ocean.
Downsides:
Contains chemical ingredients
Young children might have a hard time applying the sunscreen properly
No products found.
2. Australian Gold Botanical Sunscreen Natural Spray
SPF: 50 Main ingredient: Homosalate
This spray-on sunscreen promotes healthy skin with its antioxidant content and mineral ingredients. Your child will love the pleasant citrus fragrance, and the spray-on application is a quick and easy way to reapply sunscreen every 80 minutes.
Downsides:
Some of the botanical extracts might be too harsh for children with sensitive skin
You can recognize the best sunscreen for kids by taking a quick look at the ingredients. Avoid any product with a long list of chemicals that could irritate your child’s skin, and make sure you choose a broad-spectrum product with high SPF for optimal protection.
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Source: Thoughtco
