As we head outdoors this summer, one of our top priorities as parents is to protect our babies from skin damage. Sunscreen is important to put on your baby every time you take them outside.
Studies have shown that enduring 5 or more bad sunburns in your younger years makes your risk of skin cancer 80% greater. While no parent wants their child to get sunburnt, the thought of cancer is even scarier.
This is why sunscreen is so important. And following the directions for each sunscreen you use is also important to ensure your baby’s skin is always being protected in the sun.
Even on cloudy days, the skin can still burn. Do not underestimate the power of the sun’s rays. Always apply sunscreen to your child’s skin if you plan to be outside for any period of time. It is best to reapply every two hours to keep the full strength of sunscreen protecting your child’s delicate skin.
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When should I put sunscreen on my baby?
It is suggested to keep babies 6 months and under out of the sun. Also, sunscreen should be avoided for babies under 6 months.
If you must bring your baby outside for an extended period of time before 6 months of age, it would be best to dress them in SPF full coverage clothing, a wide-brimmed SPF hat, and sunglasses.
Keep the baby in the shade and keep watch on their skin to make sure it is not burning. If you notice their exposed skin turning pink or red, bring them inside.
For babies 6 months and older, apply sunscreen any time they go outside and apply every two hours while outside. Even if they have been in the shade, the sunscreen must be reapplied every two hours to keep its strength.
If your baby is too young to be spending time in the sunshine, try some of these activities with them that are perfect to do inside at 0-3 months, or 3-6 months.
Spray-on Or Lotion?
When choosing a sunscreen for yourself or your child, a sunscreen lotion is always better than the spray-on version.
Stay away from the sprays, as the mist can be inhaled by your baby, which is damaging to the lungs early on.
Though the spray-on may seem easier, faster, and less messy to apply, it doesn’t give as good of coverage as a lotion and can leave your child under-protected and sunburnt (even when applied every 2 hours). It is easier to miss large sections of the skin when using a spray.
The lotion option provides thicker protection. By applying with your hands, you are less likely to miss a spot. The white sheen you get from wearing sunscreen isn’t all that bad either. By seeing the white cast of sunscreen, you can better spot where it has or has not been applied. Helping you better protect your baby’s sensitive skin.
Common Places We Forget to Apply
There are many places we often forget to apply sunscreen to ourselves and our children, leaving opportunity for burnt skin.
Don’t forget to apply on the:
- Ears
- Lips (use a sunscreen for lips)
- Backs of knees
- Tops of feet
- Toes
- Under the edges of clothing as the clothes may ride up
- Forehead/hairline
- Armpits
- Hands
- Face (tear-free formulas, such as Aveeno Baby Continuous Protection work great for babies and toddlers who may rub their eyes)
What to look for in baby sunscreen?
The best sunscreen for a baby is at least 30 SPF in a cream or lotion formula.
Try to use unscented sunscreen on baby’s sensitive skin.
It is best to look for the main ingredient being zinc oxide. Dermatologists recommend this to be the best active ingredient available in a sunscreen.
The Best Baby Sunscreens Are:
- Babo Botanicals Baby Skin Mineral Sunscreen
- Thinkbaby Safe Sunscreen
- Aveeno Baby Continuous Protection Mineral Sunscreen Lotion
- Baby Bum Mineral Sunscreen Lotion
Babo Botanicals Baby Skin Mineral Sunscreen
Babo Botanical baby sunscreen has one of the best ratings on the Think Dirty App, coming in at a “0” rating, which is the best rating a product can receive.
Think Dirty App rates on a scale of 0-10, 0 being the cleanest (safest ingredients), and 10 being the dirtiest (most harmful in terms of the chemicals in the product).
This is a huge factor to most parents when choosing a great product for their baby. That is why Babo Botanicals made it at the top of the list for the best baby sunscreen this year.
- SPF 50
- 100% non-nano zinc oxide (contains 20%)
- Broad-spectrum UVA and UVB coverage
- For very sensitive skin
- Water resistant for 80 minutes, non-greasy
- Free of Formaldehyde, MEA, DEA, TEA, Fragrance, oxybenzone and octinoxate, sulfate, paraben, phthalate, mineral oil, gluten, soy, dairy, peanut, almond and walnut
- Made in USA
- B Corp Certified, Cruelty free, Reef friendly, Vegan
- EWG rating: 5
Thinkbaby Safe Sunscreen
This particular sunscreen is the most popular I’ve seen lately. But for good reason. They really go the extra mile making sure their product is trustworthy and safe for anyone who needs it.
Thinkbaby Safe is the first sunscreen to pass Whole Foods Premium Care requirements and has a “4” rating on Think Dirty App.
- SPF 50
- Non-nano zinc oxide (contains 20%)
- For sensitive skin
- Water resistant for 80 minutes
- Broad-spectrum UVA and UVB coverage
- Free of biologically harmful chemicals (avobenzone, oxybenzone, paraben, phthalates, PABA, 1,4 dioxane, and UV chemical absorbers)
- Reef Friendly, Cruelty Free, Gluten free, and Vegan
- BPA-free packaging
- EWG rating: 5
Aveeno Baby Continuous Protection
Aveeno is my pick for my baby’s skin. I have used Aveeno baby products her whole life and this sunscreen has worked perfectly. It is a tear-free formula, so it doesn’t irritate her eyes if her face happens to get wet.
We took this on our beach trip and applied it as instructed on the bottle and she stayed sun burn free! It has a small amount more zinc oxide than other brands, making it a little thicker. But I like that aspect, knowing my baby is safe and protected from the sun.
- SPF 50
- Naturally-sourced 100% zinc oxide (contains 21.6%)
- No stinging
- Tear free formula
- For sensitive skin
- Non-greasy
- Sweat and water resistant for up to 80 minutes
- Broad-spectrum UVA and UVB coverage
- Paraben-free, phthalate-free and fragrance-free
- EWG Rating: 5
Baby Bum Mineral Sunscreen
Baby Bum sunscreen was made by parents for their own little ones. The creators of this brand live at the beach and their families spend most of their days out in the harsh sun.
These parents created this sunscreen to protect their babies skin and you can tell it was made with love by the ingredients included (and the ones they omitted).
I love products that are plant-based and work better than products filled with chemicals! This is one of the best natural baby sunscreens available.
- SPF 50
- Natural Zinc Oxide (contains 20%)
- Non-greasy
- Broad spectrum UVA/UVB coverage
- Water resistant for 80 minutes
- Plant-based formula – containing natural zinc oxide, coconut oil, shea butter and cocoa butter.
- Vegan, Cruelty Free
- Free of Fragrance, Gluten, Dye, Parabens, Sulfate, Silicone and Phthalate.
- EWG rating: 5
