The Best Baby Sunscreens to Protect Their Skin

When it comes to protecting your little one from the sun, sunscreen remains the best way to guard their skin while swimming or enjoying the warm weather. Here we’ve gathered the best sunscreens for your next day outside!

Purchasing Baby Sunscreen

When it comes to purchasing sunscreen, there are a few important things to keep in mind:

• SPF Rating: Baby skin is super delicate and sensitive, so it needs the best protection it can get! Opt for a sunscreen around 50+ to help make sure they get all the sun protection they need, although a higher SPF rating is never a bad thing!
• Sensitivity Rating: You already know your baby’s skin is extra delicate, but some little ones have extra sensitive skin. There are sunscreens created particularly to not worsen or irritate that super-sensitive skin.
• Application Type: From sprays to sticks to creams, the type of application comes down to personal preference. Sprays are easy to apply without all the rubbing; sticks are less messy and convenient to travel with, and creams offer superior coverage but require more work.
• Main Ingredients: You obviously want effective sunscreen. There are powerful chemical sunscreens and then there are also mineral sunscreens that offer all the effectiveness of chemical sunscreens without any additional chemicals. Both are approved and safe for use: personal preference should determine the sunscreen you feel best about using.

Top Choice: Thinkbaby Baby Sunscreen Natural Sunblock

Made of a mineral-based formula without an oily feel, this broad-spectrum sunscreen effectively protects against UVA and UVB light. It’s water-resistant for 40 to 80 minutes and available in a range of SPFs as well as both in cream and stick formulas.

Best for Sensitive Skin: Aveeno Kids Continuous Protection

Made with naturally sourced 100% zinc oxide as the active ingredient, this sunscreen also features nourishing oats and is designed to provide an SPF 50 superior broad-spectrum to help protect that delicate and sensitive skin from both harmful UVA and UVB rays. This hypoallergenic sunscreen is mild on the skin and both water- and sweat-resistant without a greasy feel. It’s free of parabens, phthalates, and fragrance. And the best part is that it’s tear-free!

Best Smart Technology: Blue Lizard Baby Mineral Sunscreen

This smart technology sunscreen makes sure you always know when you should be wearing sunscreen, thanks to the specially designed bottle that changes color when exposed to harmful rays. Pop open the top and apply this mineral sunscreen anytime the bottle turns pink! With an SPF of 50+, this formula is made of zinc oxide and titanium dioxide for protection from both UVA and UVB rays. Featuring resistance from both sweat and water for up to 80 minutes, this sunscreen is not only great for delicate and sensitive skin but is also reef-friendly!

Best Stick: Babyganics SPF 50 Travel Size Kids Sunscreen

Available in either a stick, spray, or lotion and a variety of pack sizes, this SPF 50+ sunscreen offers gentle sun protection and is water-resistant for up to 80 minutes. The all-mineral formula protects against both UVA and UVB rays. Made to glide on smoothly, the portable stick sunscreen is both non-allergenic and tear-free.

Best Spray: Neutrogena Wet Skin Kids Sunscreen Spray

Specially designed for wet skin, this spray sunscreen offers impressive SPF 70+ protection and is water-resistant. Hypoallergenic, oil-free, and PABA-free, this formula is great for all skin types and is formulated with Helioplex for superior sun protection that is easy to apply.