8 Best Baby Sunscreens, According to Dermatologists
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When it comes to using sunscreen for babies, especially newborns, the guidelines are different from what's recommended for adults — and it's important to know how to keep baby protected in the sun and the best baby sunscreen.
Babies under 6 months should generally be kept in the shade and out of direct sunlight, according to the American Academy of Dermatology (AAD). They should also be dressed in protective clothing, such as lightweight items that protect their entire arms and legs, plus a hat. Although you should minimize sunscreen use on children under 6 months, it's okay to apply a small amount when you can't keep baby out of the sun, says the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP). Use sunscreen with a minimum SPF 30, as the AAD recommends, to the face, back of the hands and tops of the feet. For babies older than 6 months, you should apply sunscreen with an SPF of 30 or more all over their body.
While it might sound like a challenge to keep babies out of the direct sun for the first six months, it'll be easier than you think. "Unless you have a child way ahead of their developmental landmarks, they aren't mobile and running around," notes Bernard Cohen, M.D., professor of pediatric dermatology at Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine. "You can keep them in a shade tent, under an umbrella and in sun-protective clothing."
Ahead, we've covered some of the most common questions about applying baby sunscreen, plus factors to consider when deciding which one to purchase. Finally, we've included the best baby sunscreens, with suggestions from experts, What to Expect editors and parents.
What sunscreen is safe for babies?
When shopping for baby sunblock, look for a “broad spectrum" formula — that means it will protect against both UVA and UVB rays. You'll likely also want to look for a mineral sunscreen, also known as physical sunscreen, which includes titanium dioxide or zinc oxide as the active ingredient. Unlike chemical sunscreen, mineral sunscreens stay on the surface of the skin and aren't absorbed into the body, explains Marissa J. Perman, M.D., a pediatric dermatologist at the University of Philadelphia. They're also usually free from chemicals like oxybenzone and octinoxate, which we'll address later.
Mineral sunscreen is especially effective on sensitive parts of the body, such as nose, cheeks, tops of the ears and shoulders, the AAP notes, because it acts as a better barrier against the sun.
For these reasons, each of the baby sunscreens we recommend ahead are broad spectrum to protect against UVA and UVB rays and made of a mineral-based formula to provide optimal protection.
Can babies under 6 months wear sunscreen?
Yes, you can apply sunscreen to babies younger than 6 months old, but you'll want to use it in minimal quantities. As mentioned previously, the AAP recommends that you only use sunscreen on small areas of their body, like your little one's face or the tops of their hands and feet. In general, keep babies under 6 months out of the sun and use protective lightweight clothing to cover their skin, including long sleeve shirts, pants and hats. Additionally, you want to avoid putting sunscreen on parts of her body that baby often puts in her mouth.
After 6 months of age, you can apply sunscreen to all exposed areas of your child's body. You'll still want to keep baby in the shade when possible, however, to avoid sunburn.
How to apply baby sunscreen
If baby is under 6 months, keep sunscreen use minimal. Apply a thin layer to small exposed areas like her face when shade and protective clothing are not available.
For babies over 6 months of age, you can apply sunscreen all over her body, making sure to cover any areas that are exposed to the sun.
If you're using a chemical sunscreen, you'll want to apply it 15 to 30 minutes before going in the sun so her skin can absorb it. Mineral sunscreen, however, starts working immediately since it doesn't need to be absorbed. As for reapplying baby's sunblock, you should do so every two hours that you're outside, plus immediately after getting wet or towel drying, according to the AAP.
What to look for in baby sunscreen
There are a few important qualities to keep in mind when buying sunscreen for your baby.
- Ingredients. When it comes to weighing mineral versus chemical sunscreens, mineral is your best bet for sensitive skin. These types of sunscreen contain either titanium dioxide or zinc oxide as the active ingredient which are both less likely to irritate skin. They're also recognized by the FDA as generally safe and effective, unlike ingredients in chemical sunscreens that haven't yet received approval by the agency. Plus, mineral sunscreen isn't absorbed into the skin like chemical sunscreen because it sits on the surface of your skin.
If opting for a chemical sunscreen, which can be more affordable and spread on without leaving a white cast behind, you should make sure that it doesn't contain oxybenzone, an ingredient that might have hormonal effects, says Albert Yan, M.D., chief of pediatric dermatology at the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia. Another reason to pass on oxybenzone? There is some concern that it could be harmful to coral reefs — in fact, Hawaii and some cities in Florida have passed bills banning formulas that contain it. You'll also want to read the ingredient list on any baby sunscreen you're considering buying to see if it contains any fragrances, dyes, PABA (para-aminobenzoic acid), parabens and phthalates, all of which can irritate baby's sensitive skin. - Application type. Baby sunscreens typically come in stick and lotion form, and the best type for you comes down to personal preference. You might even want to have both on hand, as stick sunscreen is easy to apply to the face to avoid baby's eyes and mouth, while cream is better for covering larger parts of baby's body. As for aerosol sunscreen sprays? Even though they might seem convenient for quickly applying SPF on a wiggly kid, Dr. Perman cautions against them. “I worry they are not applied with the appropriate thickness,” she says, particularly if you're on a windy beach, when the spray may blow away before it makes it onto baby. Plus, it's possible your baby could accidentally breathe in the chemicals from the spray. For these reasons, we kept aerosol sprays off of our list and included only lotion and stick options.
- SPF. The AAD recommends using a broad-spectrum sunscreen with a sun protection factor (SPF) of at least 30, as mentioned previously. The difference between sunscreens with SPF 15 and SPF 30 is that SPF 15 can filter out up to 93 percent of UVB rays while SPF 30 can filter out 97 percent. To comply with recommendations from the AAD, all of the baby sunscreens we've included in our list have an SPF of 30 or higher.
- Water resistance. No sunscreen is waterproof, but you can buy water-resistant sunscreen which stays effective for 40 minutes in the water (some extra-resistant brands last up to 80 minutes). Even if your child won't be spending tons of time in the water, the AAD still recommends using a water-resistant sunscreen for optimal protection. For this reason, you'll find that almost all of our picks are water-resistant up to at least 40 minutes.
How we chose the best baby sunscreen
To choose the best baby sunscreen, we looked to the millions of members of the What to Expect community to find products they have tried and loved for their own babies. We also spoke with What to Expect staff members to get their opinions on favorite sunscreens they used for their own children.
All of the sunscreens on this list are broad spectrum, made of a mineral-based formula, and have an SPF of 30 or higher, as recommended by the AAP, AAD and the experts we spoke with.
Check out the best baby sunscreens below.
Why Trust Us?
What to Expect is the world’s most trusted pregnancy and parenting brand for a reason. Our product recommendations are based on expert parent insight, advice from medical professionals and feedback from the millions of parents and parents-to-be in our community. Our editors adhere to the highest research and reporting standards and our team of vetted OB/GYNs, pediatricians and other health professionals ensure our recommended products are safe and effective for you and your baby.
Best Baby Sunscreen Overall
Thinkbaby SPF 50+ Baby Sunscreen
- Free of harmful chemicals
- reef-safe
- vegan formula
- Some found it greasy
A favorite of WTE parents and editors alike is Thinkbaby SPF 50+ sunscreen which uses zinc oxide as its active ingredient and is free of oxybenzone, parabens and phthalates. Unlike some mineral sunscreens which can be thick and hard to spread, Thinkbaby’s sunscreen goes on creamy and blocks 98 percent of UVB rays. It's also extra water-resistant because it lasts up to 80 minutes, so you can head to the pool with baby and know that she's protected. Another nice perk? It absorbs quickly, so your little one won't feel sticky or have a chalky residue on her skin after you apply.
Olivia DeLong, What to Expect's senior health editor, uses Thinkbaby for both herself and her daughter. "I did a lot of research during pregnancy and actually started using it then and loved it," she says. “It goes on super easily, and I always felt like my daughter was protected and I wasn't using anything with lots of chemicals or junk in it." She also notes that the lotion is great for covering her daughter's body, while she uses the stick format for her face, ears and neck.
Joyce Slaton, commerce editor, has also tried Thinkbaby with her family. She noted that it can be harder to find in drugstores and is a little pricier, but she liked the formula. "I thought Thinkbaby's formulation was really silky and easy to rub on, and it stayed on well during a day at the beach," she says.
Size: 6 ounces
Active ingredients: Zinc oxide
Type: Lotion
Best Baby Sunscreen for Sensitive Skin
Baby Bum Mineral Sunscreen Lotion SPF 50
- Vegan
- fragrance-free
- absorbs quickly
- Expensive
Reviewers rave about this creamy, lightweight sunscreen with 20 percent zinc oxide from Sun Bum's baby line, Baby Bum. The compliments that come up over and over again? How well it works on sensitive skin types and how quickly the formula absorbs into their little one's skin. It's hypoallergenic and made with a natural, vegan formula that consists of ingredients like coconut oil and shea and cocoa butter to moisturize her skin, too.
Joyce, who was mentioned previously, has also used Sun Bum Baby Bum with her family for years. "It's not sticky or hard to spread, and it doesn't make you startlingly white," she says.
"The tube is a nice large size so it takes care of my family of three for a week's vacation. We buy one tube and we're set."
Unlike some other sunscreens, this pick won't leave you or baby sticky, as Joyce mentions, and doesn’t leave a white cast behind. And, it's water-resistant for up to 80 minutes so you won’t have to get out of the water too quickly.
Size: 3 ounces
Active ingredients: Zinc oxide
Type: Lotion
Best Baby Sunscreen for Eczema
Aveeno Baby Continuous Protection Sunscreen SPF 50
- Tear-free
- hypoallergenic
- fragrance-free
- Can be a bit sticky
If you're looking for a mild sunscreen that won't irritate baby's skin if she's prone to eczema, look to Aveeno’s Baby Continuous Protection Sunscreen. It boasts a Seal of Acceptance from the National Eczema Association, which, as mentioned before, means it's been evaluated to be free from ingredients that could otherwise aggravate baby's sensitive skin, so you can feel comfortable using it on your little one with eczema. The formula also contains oat extract which is known for being nourishing and relieving for eczema symptoms, plus naturally-sourced zinc oxide to protect her skin against UVA and UVB rays. Like other mineral sunscreens on this list, this one doesn't have parabens, dyes, fragrances or phthalates.
Size: 3 ounces
Active ingredients: Zinc oxide
Type: Lotion
Best Drugstore Baby Sunscreen
Neutrogena Pure & Free Baby Mineral Sunscreen SPF 50
- Tear-free formula
- fragrance-free
- Only comes in 3-ounce size
Neutrogena Pure & Free gives you much more than you'd expect for a sunscreen you can grab at your local drugstore. The main active ingredient is zinc oxide, so it's a great mineral sunscreen that you can buy at a more affordable price point. As a mineral formula, it'll create a natural physical barrier between baby's skin and the sun's harsh UV rays. And, if you're looking for a sunscreen for babies with sensitive skin, you'll like that it also received a Seal of Acceptance from the National Eczema Association. This means that this Neutrogena baby sunscreen has been evaluated and determined to be free from ingredients that would aggravate the skin of someone who suffers from eczema or who has sensitive skin.
The gentle lotion provides even more perks for its affordable price, as it's hypoallergenic and free of dyes, fragrances, parabens, phthalates and PABA. Plus, the formula is water-resistant for up to 80 minutes so you can spend more time in the water before having to reapply. You can also stock up on the stick version for keeping in your diaper bag on-the-go.
Size: 3 ounces
Active ingredients: Zinc oxide
Type: Lotion
Best Baby Sunscreen for the Whole Family
Blue Lizard Australian Sunscreen SPF 30
- Reef-safe
- fragrance-free
- Feels greasy
Blue Lizard Australian Sunscreen is packaged in a unique bottle that's designed to help you stay on top of reapplication, especially when you have more than one child to keep an eye on. The bottle cap turns blue in the presence of harmful UV rays — the brighter blue the bottle gets, the harsher the sun is. It can be a helpful visual reminder of when to keep your little ones out of the sun or make sure they have protective gear on like a hat, especially when you're having a busy day at the beach or even just on a walk outside.
Stephanie Porter, creative director with What to Expect, says the Blue Lizard Australian Sunscreen also goes on easily, which has helped her when it comes to getting sunblock on both of her kids. "It goes on smoother than other mineral sunscreens I had tried," she says. "Spreading goopy sunscreen on wriggly kids who are excited to get out into the sun is a pain. It's challenging for me with two since whoever goes second has to wait." Smooth application is at the top of her list behind protection when buying sunscreen, so the mineral formula plus easy application made this the right pick for her entire family. It's also water-resistant for up to 40 minutes, so your kids can enjoy plenty of time in the water before having to reapply.
Size: 5 ounces
Active ingredients: Zinc oxide
Type: Lotion
Best Moisturizing Baby Sunscreen
Pipette Mineral Sunscreen SPF 50
- Vegan
- safe for sensitive skin
- reef-safe
- Not water-resistant
When you're slathering sunscreen on baby all day long, you want to make sure it's something that not only prevents sun damage, but moisturizes her skin as well. The Pipette Mineral Sunscreen contains sugarcane-derived squalane that makes it so it goes on smooth and will actually moisturize baby's skin. Unlike many mineral-based options, it's surprisingly lightweight while still providing a physical barrier around your little one's delicate skin. It also absorbs quickly, so your child isn't left with a white cast on her skin.
Christine Mattheis, Group VP of Content & Brand Solutions at What to Expect, found that many mineral sunscreens would severely dry out her daughter Rose's cheeks, making them red and chapped. With Pipette, she finally found an option that worked. "No more redness, no more dryness — just soft, squishable cheeks," she says. "We have used Pipette sunscreen heavily for three years now, and Rose has never gotten a sunburn despite spending many hours outside." She also points out that unlike most mineral sunscreens, Pipette is a non-sticky formula that rubs in and doesn't leave a white cast behind.
One important thing to keep in mind is that Pipette is the only sunscreen on our list that isn't water-resistant. Because of this, you'll need to use a water-resistant option if your little one will be spending time in the pool or ocean.
Size: 4 ounces
Active ingredients: Zinc oxide
Type: Lotion
Best Baby Sunscreen Stick
Mustela Mineral Baby Sunscreen Stick - SPF 50
- Fragrance-free
- travel size
- reef-safe
- Some wished it came in a larger size
When baby is dressed from head to toe in sun-protective clothing, a few quick swipes of a sunscreen stick might be all you need to protect her exposed skin. "Sticks are especially nice for the face, as they are easier to control keeping out of the eyes," Dr. Perman says. What makes this Mustela Mineral Baby Sunscreen Stick stand out is that it goes on surprisingly smooth — thanks to the addition of organic ingredients like shea butter, avocado oil and jojoba — whereas other mineral sunscreen sticks can be thick and hard to spread.
Leah Rocketto, associate commerce director at What to Expect, recently used the Mustela sunscreen stick on a beach vacation with her daughter, Olivia. "I like that the stick glided smoothly on Olivia's face and I didn't have to press hard to make it happen," she says. "I also liked the color of it when applied. I could clearly see it was on but it didn't need to be rubbed in which, when you have a wriggly child, can lead to sunscreen in the eye and tears for hours."
The organic formula is also hypoallergenic and approved by the National Eczema Association, making it a great choice for sensitive skin types, too. And, it's water-resistant for up to 80 minutes.
Size: 0.6 ounces
Active ingredients: Zinc oxide
Type: Stick
Best Budget Baby Sunscreen
Coppertone Pure and Simple Baby Sunscreen SPF 50
- Hypoallergenic
- fragrance-free
- Not travel-sized
Many baby sunscreens come in 3-ounce bottles, but Coppertone Water Babies Sunscreen Lotion SPF 50 comes in a 6-ounce bottle for the same price as other baby mineral sunscreens. It has a gentle, hypoallergenic formula and goes on smooth, so you won’t spend extra time trying to spread it on your baby's body. This sunscreen is also water resistant for up to 80 minutes, allowing you more time to play with your child. The formula is free of synthetic fragrance, phthalates, parabens, oxybenzone and octinoxate, so you can feel good about putting it on your little one for a price that won't break the bank.
Size: 6 ounces
Active ingredients: Zinc oxide
Type: Lotion
- American Academy of Dermatology, Infant Sun Protection: How Parents Can Keep Their Baby Safe, Accessed December 2022.
- American Academy of Dermatology, Sunscreen FAQs, September 2022.
- American Academy of Pediatrics, Sun Safety: Information for Parents About Sunburn & Sunscreen, Accessed December 2022.
- U.S. Food & Drug Administration, Should You Put Sunscreen on Infants? Not Usually, August 2021.
- U.S. Food & Drug Administration, Questions and Answers: FDA posts deemed final order and proposed order for over-the-counter sunscreen, December 2022.
- Bernard Cohen, M.D., Dermatologist, Baltimore, Maryland.
- Marissa J. Perman, M.D., Dermatologist, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
- Albert Yan, M.D., Dermatologist, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
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