The Best Sunscreen for Babies to Protect That Precious Brand-New Skin

How We Selected the Best Sunscreen for Babies

First, we spoke with pediatric dermatologist Elaine 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; and Andrew Garner, MD, PhD, FAAP, clinical professor of pediatrics, CWRU School of 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 percent 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

“I would stick with zinc oxide as the active sunscreen ingredient,” Dr. Siegfried advises.

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 American Academy of Dermatology 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 most 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.

“The FDA has not approved sunscreen wipes, 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 not which moisturizer is used but how often it 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.

Why Trust Verywell Family 

Ambrosia V. Brody is 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.