Did you know that lots of baby sunscreens actually contain nasty chemicals and toxins that can be absorbed through skin? After thorough research I found some great SAFE alternatives and in this article I’m going to share with you my favorite non toxic baby sunscreens that really protect little ones from harmful sun rays!
Article by Macy Tollefson – doula, breastfeeding specialist & prenatal yoga teacher
Skin cancer is the most common cancer in the United States1, and even one bad burn in childhood can DOUBLE your chances of developing it in adulthood. Your little one’s delicate skin is especially vulnerable to UV radiation2.
It is so important to protect your baby from the sun’s harmful rays, however many sunscreens (even ones marketed for babies) can be just as harmful to their growing bodies.
Choosing sunscreen for babies can feel like a daunting task. There is an overwhelming amount of information and brands claiming to be “safe” for children, when they actually contain dangerous chemicals.
Even non toxic baby sunscreens can have ingredient lists that are long and hard to understand, and it can be dizzying trying to pick the safest one.
I’m here to help you make it less overwhelming. I’ll show you which ingredients you should look out for (as well as avoid!) and answer definitively whether chemical or mineral sunscreen is safest for babies.
This article is not a substitute for medical advice. It may contain affiliate links.
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Of course the obvious form of protecting your young baby’s skin is to limit sun exposure, use sun protective clothing and stay in the shade, but sometimes that isn’t possible and they need to wear sunscreen.
Parents need to be careful when choosing sunscreens for their babies and kids, but how do you know which one is the best choice?
Keep reading to see my list of the best baby sunscreens!
Best Non Toxic Sunscreens For Babies And Kids
Choosing a natural sunscreen is important to keep your baby safe and protect them from those harmful uv rays, while not exposing them to harsh chemicals.
Here are my favorite best non toxic sunscreens for babies over 6 months, that parents love!
1. Earth Mama Organics Baby Mineral Sunscreen Lotion
This mineral baby sunscreen SPF 40 is made with super moisturizing organic shea butter and calendula, to leave your child’s skin feeling soft and protected. It also has organic red raspberry seed oil (a naturally occurring high-value SPF) as well as organic pomegranate seed oil, to help boost the UV protection.
What Moms Love About It
This non chemical sunscreen is made without oxybenzone, octinoxate, artificial fragrance or parabens – meaning it’s reef safe and gentle on sensitive skin. They even have this stick sunscreen version for face which is super convenient to use!
Moms agree that this sunscreen does an amazing job protecting their kids skin and are happy that they aren’t covering them with harmful chemicals. Parents also love that a little goes a long way with this formula.
Keep In Mind
The formula is made with non-nano zinc, which means it is designed to sit on top of the skin as a barrier to the sun and has a white tint, so you can see where it’s been applied.
Because the natural ingredients make the consistency a little thick, some parents found hard to rub in.
2. Earth Mama Organics Kids Sensitive Mineral Sunscreen
This is a non-toxic sunscreen SPF 40 from Earth Mama, designed for kids who have very sensitive skin.
This formula is made with calming organic colloidal oatmeal, organic shea butter, coconut oil, organic jojoba oil and other great ingredients, and has the Seal of Acceptance™ by the National Eczema Association3.
What Moms Love About It
It’s fragrance-free, non-irritating, moisturizing and very gentle on sensitive skin.
Moms agree that this sunscreen is a game-changer for their kids who usually break out or experience rashes from other formulas.
Parents love the organic ingredients and find that it is great at protecting their kids from the sun’s rays.
Keep In Mind
Like Earth Mama’s other baby mineral sunscreen, this too is designed to sit on top of your baby’s skin, as opposed to being rubbed in. Some parents don’t love the thick consistency or slightly white cast it can leave behind. I guess it’s a tradeoff for truly safe baby sunscreen free of toxic chemicals.
3. Pipette Mineral Sunscreen Baby Sunblock With Non-Nano Zinc
Like many other mineral sunscreens on this list, Pipette’s baby sunblock is also made with reef-friendly, non-nano zinc oxide that provides safe broad-spectrum UVA/UVB protection.
What Moms Love About It
What is unique to this formula is that it is also made with a super restoring and moisturizing, sugarcane-derived version of squalene.
Squalene is naturally found in your baby’s vernix- aka their first built-in moisturizer that coated them in the womb! The squalene in this formula helps provides deep but lightweight moisture, while protecting your child’s skin.
This unique formula also contains Bisabolol and wild gooseberry extract, which both work to calm skin irritation from infrared light or heat. It is hypoallergenic, dermatologist tested and pediatrician approved.
Moms love the moisturizing, clean ingredient list, and say it smoothes onto the skin easily. Other moms (especially those with darker skin tones) love that it doesn’t leave a white cast behind.
Keep In Mind
This sunscreen is NOT water resistant, so it would not be ideal to use if your baby was sweating a lot or spending time in the water.
4. Mustela Baby Mineral Sunscreen Stick SPF 50
This travel-friendly sunscreen stick contains 70% organic ingredients, including shea butter, avocado oil, sunflower seed oil, and jojoba.
What Moms Love About It
It is actually recommended by the Skin Cancer Foundation and it’s also National Eczema Association certified, meaning it is fragrance free and safe for sensitive skin types.
Moms love that it is easy to apply on their babies, and think the stick sunscreen is very convenient for re-applying on-the-go. They say that it glides on smoothly and requires minimal rubbing to have the white cast from the zinc blend in.
Keep In Mind
Some parents, however, did feel that the packaging was too small and therefore not worth the price. A few parents felt that the formula was a little greasy, but the majority of parents disagreed with that.
5. Supergoop! Sunnyscreen 100% Mineral Stick SPF 50
This broad spectrum sunscreen is pediatrician-tested, hypoallergenic, and made with non-nano zinc oxide.
What Moms Love About It
It is a stick sunscreen, which allows for faster application and it is spill-proof in your bag. Supergoop! also makes a spray sunscreen version with similar ingredients.
IMPORTANT INFO: Non-Nano means that its particles are at least 100 nanometers big, and therefore it cannot penetrate the skin. It is the safest UV filter to use for adults and kids, and it has also been shown to be the safest option for marine life and coral reefs.
Moms love that this formula doesn’t dry out their kid’s skin and glides on smoothly. They also said that the stick format makes it much easier to apply on their squirmy toddlers, when they are on-the-go.
Keep In Mind
For the price, some parents think you don’t get enough product. Also, while it is free of artificial fragrance, many moms said that this sunscreen does have a light, pleasant scent. That being said, it didn’t seem to bother their children with sensitive skin.
6. All Good Baby & Kids Sunscreen Lotion For Face & Body
Made with organic chamomile, as well as organic cocoa butter and coconut oil, All Good’s baby and kids sunscreen is lightweight, smooth and safe for sensitive skin. Its inactive ingredients include certified organic products such as aloe leaf juice, shea butter, calendula, chamomile and olive fruit oil.
While there are synthetic ingredients found in this sunscreen, there are no harmful chemicals. It does not contain any chemical UV absorbers and is considered safe for coral reefs and soothing on sensitive skin.
What Moms Love About It
Moms rave that this sunscreen goes on smoothly and is non-greasy. Some parents also claimed that this one was less thick than other mineral sunscreens they had tried, and didn’t leave as much white residue.
On the contrary, multiple moms claimed this sunscreen did not work for them and their children experienced sunburns while using it. If you’re searching for the best baby sunscreen it may be a good idea to choose a different one from this list!
Keep In Mind
Parents also seemed to be divided, as some complained it had a strong smell, while others loved that it was “scent free.”
7. Babo Botanicals Baby Skin Mineral Sunscreen Lotion SPF 50
Babo Botanical’s has created a baby safe sunscreen that claims to be sheer and non-whitening, like many other mineral sunscreens can be. It is vegan and includes calendula, chamomile, sunflower oil and watercress, as some of the inactive ingredients.
What Moms Love About It
It is a broad spectrum sunscreen, protecting from both UVA and UVB rays, while also being fragrance free, hypoallergenic, dermatologist and allergy tested. This brand also has a spray (SPF 30) version of this sunscreen.
With thousands of reviews, this sunscreen has a nearly perfect 5 star rating. Moms love that it rubs in easily, doesn’t leave a white cast, and it is free of artificial fragrance.
Many also said that it didn’t feel sticky or greasy, and never transferred over onto their children’s clothes (it an important thing, because those white stains are sometimes hard to remove).
Keep In Mind
On the other hand, a handful of parents did not agree that it was totally scent free, and claimed that was the sole reason they did not like the product. Speaking from my personal experience: it smells like… mineral sunscreen!
Other moms also complained that is wasn’t able to TOTALLY rub into the skin, but keep in mind that because this is a mineral-type sunscreen, it is designed to sit on top of the skin, not be absorbed.
8. Hello Bello Mineral SPF 50 Sunscreen Lotion For Babies And Kids
This baby sunscreen from Hello Bello is made up of one active ingredient, non nano zinc oxide, as well as moisturizing cocoa seed butter, avocado, cucumber, chamomile.
What Moms Love About It
It is vegan, cruelty free, reef safe and water resistant. This SPF also provides both UVA and UVB protection.
Parents rave about the great smell of this product. In fact, even the moms who did not enjoy the sunscreen all around, still said they loved the smell of it. Moms also said it was very effective in protecting their kids from sunburns.
Keep In Mind
This sunscreen uses both vanilla planifolia and orange peel oil to add natural fragrance, so it is NOT scent free. If your baby is sensitive to added scent in products, this may not be the best choice for you. The good news is that there are no synthetic fragrances!
9. TruBaby Daily Eczema SPF 30+ Sunscreen
TruBaby is a brand designed specifically for children with eczema, meaning they focus on calming, non-irritating ingredients.
What Moms Love About It
Along with non-nano minerals, this formula contains soothing organic aloe vera, green tea oil and pomegranate juice. It is also phthalate-, vitamin A – and paraben-free.
So many moms said that this sunscreen is very effective for their children who have eczema-prone skin (when other sunscreens gave them rashes). Mamas also love that it absorbs quickly and is virtually scent-free.
Keep In Mind
Keep in mind that this sunscreen is only SPF 30, which is lower compared to others on this list.
It also contains a small amount of Polyaminopropyl Biguanide (an ingredient that is used as a disinfectant) which is widely accepted as “safe” in the United States, but is banned for cosmetic use (including creams and lotions) in Europe4.
10. Thinkbaby SPF 50+ Baby Sunscreen
This reef-safe and BPA-free sunscreen is made up of non-nano zinc oxide, glycerin, castor oil, sunflower oil and jojoba seed oil.
What Moms Love About It
It is free of harmful chemicals and it’s pediatrician and dermatologist tested.
While it is free of synthetic fragrances, this sunscreen is lightly scented with papaya fruit extract, which many parents love. Moms also love that it is water resistant for up to 80 minutes!
Keep In Mind
It’s important to note that this sunscreen contains dimethicone (a form of silicone) that people with sensitivities or allergies to silicone may find irritating.
It also contains Polyglyceryl-4 Isostearate – a comedogenic that clogs the pores of your skin, so be sure to wash it off well after your baby is done being in the sun.
11. Blue Lizard Baby Mineral Sunscreen With Zinc Oxide
Blue Lizard baby sunscreen is made with the active ingredients non-nano zinc oxide and titanium dioxide, that is safe for coral reefs.
It includes inactive ingredients such as beeswax, castor oil and vitamin E. They also have this version available as a spray sunscreen.
What Moms Love About It
Moms love the unique packaging of this mineral sunscreen brand, which is specifically designed to teach kids about sun safety.
When the bottle is exposed to harmful uv rays, the cap will turn pink, showing kids (and parents) that it’s time to apply sunscreen!
Keep In Mind
Keep in mind that this formula contains multiple silicone ingredients. These help create a nicer texture in the cream, however people with silicone allergies or sensitivities should avoid this.
Like the Thinkbaby SPF, this formula also contains the pore-clogging Polyglyceryl-4 Isostearate, so be sure to wash it off well.
Final Decision: What Is The Best Baby Sunscreen?
While there are many great options to choose from, it is always safest to stick with organic and natural ingredients. In my opinion, the best organic baby sunscreen is this Earth Mama’s Baby Mineral Sunscreen Lotion SPF 40.
With certified organic ingredients, this natural sunscreen provides broad spectrum protection from UVA and UVB rays without using harsh chemicals or synthetic preservatives. Every single ingredient in this formula is carefully considered and ethically sourced. Each ingredient is safe for your baby, and benefits them in some way- whether it be adding to the UV protection, or simply moisturizing their skin.
Just because an ingredient is hard to pronounce, doesn’t necessarily mean it’s not “safe” or even natural. With that being said, I do love that Earth Mama products always have short ingredient lists that are full of organic and recognizable substances.
On top of the active ingredient: non-nano zinc oxide, this formula utilizes red raspberry and pomegranate seed oil to NATURALLY boost the UV protection. This makes them unique from all of the other non toxic sunscreens on this list.
Because they focus on having limited ingredients and no unnecessary additives (such as silicones or other ingredients that make the cream a certain texture), their formula is likely a bit thicker than other sunscreens you may be used to. With that being said, I do think the tradeoff is well worth it, to keep your baby as safe as possible.
For all of these reasons and more, I believe it is the best natural sunscreen to use for your baby!
By the way, Earth Mama Organics also makes one of the best and all-natural diaper rash creams, that it’s free from harmful toxins and helps to treat rash on baby’s bum. The best thing about it, is that it works well for repairing skin after sunburns and healing chapped skin.
What Is The Safest Baby Sunscreen For Sensitive Skin?
From my experience, the best mineral sunscreen for babies with sensitive skin, is the Earth Mama Uber-Sensitive Mineral Sunscreen Lotion SPF 40. This sunscreen also passed the National Eczema Association’s rigid standards and has a slightly shorter ingredient list than other sunscreens (e.g. Mustela). It contains more “natural” and almost entirely certified organic ingredients.
Like Earth Mama’s other mineral sunscreen discussed above, this formula uses only carefully considered ingredients that will naturally benefit your baby. The star of the show for this sensitive skin sunscreen, is the naturally skin soothing organic colloidal oatmeal, as well as moisturizing, organic oils like shea butter and coconut oil.
The Mustela’s SPF 50 Mineral Sunscreen Stick is another great choice for babies with sensitive skin. It has the seal of approval from the National Eczema Association and the Skin Cancer Foundation.
This sunscreen is 100% mineral based, with no harsh chemicals, and made with 70% organic ingredients. It is entirely fragrance free, and is dermatologist and pediatrician tested – so you can rest assured that it will be gentle on your baby’s skin.
Are There Any Sunscreens Safe For Infants?
Because babies are more prone to side effects of ingredients in sunscreen (such as rash or irritation), the FDA strongly recommends you do not use sunscreen on babies under 6 months of age5. Babies are also more prone to sunburn, as their skin is much more delicate than adults, so the best sun protection method is to avoid the sun altogether.
The Cancer Council actually recommends avoiding direct sun exposure for all babies under 12 months old, and instead encourages staying in the shade6. With that being said, there are sunscreens that are SAFE for infants.
Always talk with your pediatrician before using an SPF on your newborn, but if you must use one, it’s best to stick with a certified organic baby sunscreen, made with natural ingredients. It is also best to use it only on sun exposed skin.
Some of the best natural sunscreens for babies are:
- Earth Mama’s Baby Mineral Sunscreen Lotion SPF 40
- Babo Botanicals Baby Skin Mineral Sunscreen Lotion SPF
- Pipette’s Mineral Sunscreen Baby Sunblock With Non-Nano Zinc (although it is not water resistant, this one is packed with good ingredients)
Any of these would be a great option for a fragrance free, broad spectrum mineral sunscreen for babies.
Each of these sunscreens share the active ingredient non-nano zinc, but the rest of their inactive ingredients are individualized to make their own unique formulas. Take a look at their entire ingredient lists to see which one appeals to you more and discuss your choice with your pediatrician.
Is Baby Sunscreen Toxic?
Not all sunscreens are safe for babies – or even adults!
Even sunscreens that are marketed for kids and babies may contain toxic ingredients (such as parabens and phenoxyethanol) that cause irritation and pose serious health risks. It’s so important to look at the full ingredient list of baby products.
There are common ingredients you will find in a conventional chemical sunscreens who claim to be “baby-friendly” (think Coppertone, Banana Boat, Hawaiian Tropic etc.) that are artificial and potentially dangerous. I wouldn’t risk to put these creams on my babies.
I know that this can be so overwhelming, so here is a breakdown of some other chemical UV filter ingredients you should avoid:
- Oxybenzone
- Octinoxate
- Octisalate
- Octocrylene
- Homosalate
- Avobenzone
When you use sunscreens with these ingredients, these toxic chemicals are absorbed into your body and can disrupt your hormones7.This is not ideal for adults, but baby’s especially need to be protected from these harmful chemicals.
Instead of chemical options, look for mineral-based sunscreens that use zinc oxide (but only NON-NANO!) or titanium dioxide as the active ingredient.
Active sunscreen ingredients that are SAFE for babies to use include:
- Non-nano zinc oxide
- Non-nano titanium dioxide
Other good inactive ingredients to look for in baby sunscreens include:
- Organic shea butter
- Organic cocoa butter
- Organic coconut oil
- Organic jojoba oil
- Organic sunflower oil
- Organic chamomile
Mineral Sunscreens Vs. Chemical Sunscreens
Active ingredients in sunscreens come in two forms: chemical and mineral.
Chemical sunscreens use risky chemical UV absorbers like oxybenzone and octinoxate – ingredients that can be harmful to our bodies and marine life (ex. coral reefs). These types of sunscreens go INTO your baby’s skin, where they absorb the UV light, break it down into heat, and then release it from the body.
Mineral sunscreen, on the other hand, sits on top of the skin to BLOCK and reflect the sun UV rays off of the body. For this reason, no mineral sunscreen can truly be sheer, translucent or absorb into the skin.
As babies’ skin is much more absorbent than adults, a mineral sunscreen is the safest option for our little ones, to ensure their bodies do not take in any harmful chemicals.
Non-Nano Zinc Oxide – What Is It & Is It Safe For Babies?
Non-nano zinc oxide is made out of zinc oxide particles that are at least 100 nanometers big, meaning they cannot be absorbed into your bloodstream or lungs8.
Because of this, a non-nano zinc oxide based sunscreen is SAFE to be used on babies and kids.
Not all zinc oxide is non-nano, so it is important to use sunscreen that ONLY use non-nano active ingredients.
Medically Reviewed By Macy Tollefson
Macy Tollefson is a full spectrum doula, breastfeeding specialist and prenatal yoga teacher. She is passionate about guiding the modern mama on her journey through the beautiful (and wild) transformation of pregnancy, birth and postpartum. Macy envisions a world where every mother has access to the resources she needs, and follows her intuition to make the best decisions about what is right for her and her baby.
The purpose of this article is informative. It’s not a substitute for professional medical advice or medical care. Remember: safety first! Consult your doctor/pediatrician in case of any doubts. The author of this article does not accept any responsibility for any liability, loss or risk, personal or otherwise, incurred as a consequence, directly or indirectly, from any information or advice contained here.
Resources:
https://www.aad.org/
https://www.nhs.uk/
https://b-ac.co.uk/
https://www.cancercouncil.com.au/
https://www.ewg.org/
https://www.babobotanicals.com/
https://www.fda.gov/
Hello Moms! I am Zooey. I am a wife and a mother of three amazing kids: almost 5-year-old Haley and 2-year-old twins Jesse and Matthew. I am a jogger, cooker and blogger.If you have a question or a comment, do not hesitate to write to me! 🙂
Hello, what about weleda edelweiss 30?
hi,
Is the Hello Baby SPRAY the same as lotion? Would you recommend the spray?
Thanks.
Yes! They have the same ingredients (mineral sunscreen lotion and mineral sunscreen spray SPF50). The only different product is this: mineral sunscreen with prebiotics – it has one additional ingredient.