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Sure, any sunscreen is better than no sunscreen — and there are plenty of ways to add to your kid’s sun protection using clothing with SPF. But there’s no substitute for sunscreen, and it’s a known fact that not all sunblock is created equal. Every year, the Environmental Working Group digs up all the details on commercial sunscreens for kids and gives them a rating based on safety. They take into consideration product packaging, the usability of each sunscreen and the amount of harmful chemicals used in the product. For instance, EWG filtered out products with ingredients that it considers worrisome, like formaldehyde-releasing chemicals.
The watchdog nonprofit researches, scrutinizes and tests hundreds of sun protection offerings with one goal: to tell consumers which sunscreens specifically marketed for use on babies and kids belong on children’s skin and which ones are better left on the shelf.
So, before you put a bottle of sunscreen in your cart (it’s the perfect time to stock up as May is Skin Cancer Awareness Month), make sure you flip it over and check the ingredient list to ensure you aren’t rubbing an ineffective sunscreen with troublesome ingredients onto your child’s skin. We’ve taken the EWG’s recs into account and have rounded up some of the best and safest sunscreens out there right now, for your little one’s sensitive skin.
From Pipette’s non-nano zinc oxide sunscreen (celeb mom-approved!) to plenty of your favorite brands available on Amazon and Ulta Beauty, you’ve got plenty of gentle and effective sunscreen picks to choose from for your kid and baby. Take a look, and play safe!
Our mission at SheKnows is to empower and inspire women, and we only feature products we think you’ll love as much as we do. Target is a SheKnows sponsor, however, all products in this article were independently selected by our editors. Please note that if you purchase something by clicking on a link within this story, we may receive a small commission of the sale.
A version of this article was originally published in May 2016.
Sun Bum Baby SPF 50 Sunscreen Stick
Sun Bum’s baby sunscreen stick received a 2 ranking from the EWG, meaning that it’s a “yes” when it comes to safety for your little one. The formula offers a 100 percent mineral base recommended by dermatologists. The sunscreen stick is also convenient and makes applying sunscreen a breeze. Just roll the stick up and use it all over your baby’s skin.
Earth Mama Baby Face Mineral Sunscreen Face Stick
This reef-safe face stick contains shea butter for nourishing the skin and calendula extract, which is antifungal and anti-inflammatory. The sunscreen stick is water-resistant for up to 40 minutes.
All Good Kid’s Sunscreen, SPF 30
EWG’s five criteria for “good” sunscreens include a look at potential safety or health hazards in a sunscreen’s ingredient list, UVA protection, UVB protection, UVA/UVB balance and the sunscreen stability on a scale of 1 to 10, with 1 being the best possible ranking.
This lotion from All Good got a scoring of 2.
Ultimate Sun Protection Lotion Broad Spectrum SPF 50+ WetForce for Sensitive Skin and Children
Ulta Beauty’s a great spot to stock up on trusted sun care for baby and yourself. This sensitive broad spectrum sunscreen with SPF 50 for children earns an EWG score of 2, is water-resistant for up to 80 minutes, and is formulated with soothing aloe extract.
Baby Bum SPF 50 Sunscreen Lotion
This fragrance-free mineral sunscreen with SPF 50 has an overall EWG rating of 2 and is water-resistant up to 80 minutes. You can have peace of mind knowing it’s plant-based, non-nano and vegan too. Shop it in a face stick, spray or lotion.
Supergoop! Sunny Screen SPF 50
Your little one can get in on the Supergoop! bandwagon with this effective and easy-to-use mineral sunscreen that gets an EWG rating of 2. It has SPF 50, is fragrance-free, and water-resistant up to 80 minutes.
Pipette Mineral Sunscreen Broad Spectrum SPF 50
Supermodel Rosie Huntington-Whiteley is a fan of Pipette for her and her little one, so naturally, the brand’s fragrance-free mineral sunscreen is one of our top picks. It’s non-nano and EWG-certified, and suitable for the entire family.
Raw Elements Sunscreen
This derm-recommended tin o’ goodness has an EWG rating of 1 and is water-resistant for more than an hour and is made with calendula, chamomile, sunflower and coconut for extra soothe factor. Babies, kids, and adults alike swear by it.
Attitude Hypoallergenic Mineral Sunscreen SPF 30
Attitude’s natural, hypoallergenic sunscreens are good for your skin and the environment. This one is top-rated by EWG, iunscented so it’s safe for baby’s delicate skin, and the brand is climate-pledge friendly. Reminder: a high SPF isn’t a guarantee, and if you’re not applying sunscreen lotion 30 minutes before you hit the pool and every 60 minutes after that, you need to start.
Thinksport Kids Sunscreen, SPF 50+
Another huge benefit to grabbing one of EWG’s best kids’ sunscreens — besides healthy skin, of course — is that many of them use organic and all-natural ingredients. If that’s one of your concerns, a great sunscreen, like this thinksport sunscreen, can kill two birds with one stone.
TruKid Sunny Days Sport Sunscreen, SPF 30
So, to sum it up, a good sunscreen is going to have a broad range of protection with a moderate SPF, use a mineral-based formula and come in a lotion or stick form. Always do an ingredient check when you’re scoping a new sunscreen, but if you want to save yourself some time, you can pick a #1 pick off this list, like TruKid Sport.
Blue Lizard Baby Mineral Sunscreen Stick, SPF 50+
Blue Lizard’s SPF stick also received a two ranking from the EWG. It’s sweat and water-resistant — plus, it’s also paraben-free, fragrance-free, dye-free, and 100% vegan.
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