Top 10 Best Sunscreens for Babies

When it comes to baby’s sensitive skin, you don’t want to mess around—if you’re planning on spending any time outdoors without plenty of shade, then you know sunscreen is a must. Every baby needs her tender skin protected, but as parents we worry about the chemicals we’re putting on our babies’ bodies. Luckily, there is lots of information out there about which types of sunscreen are safest for babies.

Which Types of Sunscreens Are Safest for Babies?

Experts recommend broad spectrum sunscreens between SPF 15 and 50 for babies. Broad spectrum just means that it provides protection from both UVA and UVB rays. You want to make sure there is enough protection, but you also don’t want to get complacent because your sunscreen has such a high SPF that you don’t bother to reapply. Additionally, experts say that creams or lotions are the best formulas for babies. A cream ensures a more even application, and you don’t have to worry about your baby accidentally inhaling the chemicals from a spray formula. Finally, when it comes to ingredients, natural is better—it’s safer to err on the side of avoiding ingredients such as oxybenzone and octisalate in favor of natural UV blockers such as zinc oxide and titanium dioxide.

How Should I Apply Sunscreen to My Baby?

Experts recommend not using sunscreen on babies under six months. Instead, keep their skin covered with long sleeves and pants, hats, etc.

For babies over six months, if you’re applying a new sunscreen to your baby for the first time, test a small patch of skin first to make sure she has no allergic reaction. Undress baby to diaper and apply a generous amount of sunscreen cream all over her body, making sure not to miss her delicate face and head (especially if she doesn’t have hair yet!). Make sure to reapply every one to two hours if you stay out in the sun, and after baby gets wet.

Get advice from a registered nurse on how to apply sunscreen to babies in the video below.

While you’re in search of a sunscreen for your baby, be sure and check out our top 10 best baby swaddles. We’ve also reviewed the top 10 best baby bottles and the top 10 best baby bottle drying racks. If you’re still building your registry, now is the perfect time to add these essential items to your list.

Below, I’ve put together a list of the best sunscreens for babies—these are all included on the Environmental Working Group’s most recent list of recommended sunscreen brands, so you can rest assured they are all safe. Remember to get advice from your baby’s pediatrician if you have any questions about sunscreen and babies.

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1. Best Fragrance Free Sunscreen for Babies: Tom’s of Maine Baby Sunscreen (Fragrance Free)

Tom’s of Maine Baby Sunscreen is a fragrance free, all natural zinc oxide based sunscreen (or sunblock). It offers broad spectrum protection against UVA and UVB rays. This product contains no nano particles, no phthalates, no parabens and no phenoxyethanol. The inactive ingredients include caprylic/capric triglyceride, beeswax, sunflower seed oil and hydrogenated castor oil. The ingredients used are not certified organic. Consumers report that this sunscreen is somewhat thick and difficult to get out of the tube and apply. Once applied, it tends to leave a white residue, due to the zinc oxide. It is only available in the three-ounce tube.

Price: $14.14 (5 percent off MSRP) for 3 ounces

Buy the Tom’s of Maine Baby Sunscreen (Fragrance Free) here.

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Pros:

• Broad spectrum SPF 30
• No nano particles
• Fragrance free
• Natural: no phthalates, no parabens, no phenoxyethanol

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Cons:

• Not organic
• Somewhat thick and difficult to apply
• Leaves a white residue
• Only available in small three-ounce tube

Find more Tom’s of Maine Baby Sunscreen (Fragrance Free) information and reviews here.

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2. Best Drugstore Sunscreen for Babies: Neutrogena Pure & Free Baby Sunscreen Lotion Broad Spectrum

Neutrogena Pure & Free Baby Sunscreen Lotion is a broad spectrum physical sunscreen containing titanium dioxide and zinc oxide. It has an SPF of 60+, which is higher than recommended by the Environmental Working Group and other skin care experts. Experts recommend using SPFs of 15 to 50—if SPF is too high, the risk is that people will not reapply when necessary due to a false sense that they are protected. Neutrogena’s formula is tear free and fragrance free, and it is specially created for baby’s sensitive skin (though anyone can use it!). Most consumers report that even though this product leaves a little bit of a white residue, it is not as chalky or greasy as other physical-barrier sunscreens. There are unfortunately lots of inactive ingredients, including preservatives, in this sunscreen. One ingredient is retinyl palmitate, a form of vitamin A which may speed the development of skin lesions and tumors when exposed to direct sunlight.

Price: $24.97 for 5 ounces

Buy the Neutrogena Pure & Free Baby Sunscreen Lotion Broad Spectrum here.

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Pros:

• Broad spectrum protection
• Tear free and fragrance free formula is specially formulated for baby’s sensitive skin
• Made from titanium dioxide and zinc oxide for physical, not chemical, skin protection
• Not greasy or chalky

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Cons:

• SPF 60+
• Lots of unpronounceable inactive ingredients
• Leaves a thin film of white on skin
• Contains retinyl palmitate, which may speed the development of skin lesions and tumors when exposed to direct sunlight

Find more Neutrogena Pure & Free Baby Sunscreen Lotion Broad Spectrum information and reviews here.

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3. Best Cruelty Free Sunscreen for Babies: Goddess Garden Organics Baby SPF 30 Natural Sunscreen

Goddess Garden Organics Baby Natural Sunscreen is a natural sunscreen made with many organic ingredients. It’s a physical sunscreen with the main ingredient being zinc oxide. The inactive ingredients are mostly natural and include many organic ingredients, including organic aloe vera and organic sunflower oil. Consumers report that this product has a nice, subtle scent and that it works well on sensitive, allergy-prone skin. This product is never tested on animals—it’s completely vegan and cruetly free. Additionally, it has no nano particles, it’s reef safe, non-GMO, biodegradable, alcohol free, as well as free of oxybenzone, parabens and synthetic fragrance. Consumers note that this sunscreen is thick and somewhat difficult to apply due to its texture. It can be gritty and can also leave a white residue, as with most zinc oxide sunscreens. This sunscreen is only available in the small sized tube.

Price: $14.29 for 3.4 ounces (5 percent off MSRP)

Buy the Goddess Garden Organics Baby SPF 30 Natural Sunscreen here.

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Pros:

• Subtle scent
• Works great for sensitive, allergy-prone skin
• Not tested on animals: cruelty free and vegan
• Non-nano, reef safe, non-GMO, biodegradable, alcohol free, free of oxybenzone, parabens and synthetic fragrance

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Cons:

• Only comes in small tube
• Some organic ingredients but not 100% organic
• Somewhat difficult to apply
• Gritty texture, leaves a white residue

Find more Goddess Garden Organics Baby SPF 30 Natural Sunscreen information and reviews here.

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4. Best Bottle-Changing Technology Sunscreen for Babies: Blue Lizard Australian Sunscreen SPF 30+ Baby

Blue Lizard Australian Sunscreen Baby is a broad spectrum sunscreen with an SPF of 30+. The active ingredients in this physical sunscreen are zinc oxide and titanium dioxide. This product is paraben free, chemical free and fragrance free, and it contains none of the potentially harmful ingredients that are listed on the Environmental Working Group website. This product is dermatologist recommended for baby’s sensitive skin. It also has smart bottle technology that turns the bottle pink when harmful UVA rays are present—cool! The price per ounce is one of the lowest for natural sunscreens. Consumers report that this product is on the runny side, it’s not water resistant and babies with eczema sometimes have bad reactions to it. This product is currently available for purchase for Prime members only.

Price: $25.08 for 8.75 ounces

Buy the Blue Lizard Australian Sunscreen SPF 30+ Baby here.

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Pros:

• Broad spectrum protection
• Paraben free, chemical free, fragrance free
• Dermatologist recommended for baby’s sensitive skin
• Smart bottle technology turns pink when harmful UVA rays are present

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Cons:

• Product available for Prime members only
• Formula is fairly runny
• Not water resistant
• Babies with eczema may react to this product

Find more Blue Lizard Australian Sunscreen SPF 30+ Baby information and reviews here.

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5. Best Sensitive Skin Sunscreen for Babies: Bare Republic SPF50 Mineral Baby Lotion

Bare Republic SPF 50 Mineral Baby Lotion is an extra sensitive broad spectrum baby sunscreen that is free of active chemical sunscreens and synthetic fragrances. It is fairly easy to apply, and blends gentle, non-nano zinc oxide, which screens physically not chemically, with soothing ingredients such as aloe, baobab oil, shea butter and chamomile extract. It is designed specifically for babies. This sunscreen is water resistant for up to 80 minutes, so it protects even when skin gets wet. The active ingredient is zinc oxide. Inactive ingredients include adansonia digitata seed oil, aloe barbadensis leaf extract, bisabolol, butyloctyl salicylate, shea butter, safflower seed oil, matricaria flower extract, coconut oil, sunflower seed oil, hydrogenated vegetable oil, jojoba esters, methyl dihydroabietate, avocado oil, apricot kernel oil, silica and tocopherol. This product is non-GMO, cruelty free, paraben free, phthalate free, preservative free, synthetic dye/colorant free, fragrance free and retinyl palmitate free. Some consumers have reported that this sunscreen is greasy and tends to leave a white film on skin. It’s only available in the one, small size. The ingredients are not certified organic.

Price: $14 for 3.4 ounces

Buy the Bare Republic SPF50 Mineral Baby Lotion here.

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Pros:

• Broad spectrum protection
• Water resistant up to 80 minutes
• Unscented and gentle enough for most sensitive skin
• Non-GMO, cruelty free, paraben free, phthalate free, preservative free, synthetic dye/colorant free, fragrance free, free of active chemical sunscreens, retinyl palmitate free

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Cons:

• Only available in small size
• Some consumers report it is greasy
• Tends to leave a white film on skin
• Not organic

Find more Bare Republic SPF50 Mineral Baby Lotion information and reviews here.

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6. Best Water Resistant Sunscreen for Babies: Badger Baby Sunscreen Cream SPF 30

Badger Baby Sunscreen Cream is a broad spectrum sunscreen that protects from both UVA and UVB rays with an SPF of 30; its active ingredient is the safe mineral zinc oxide. This product contains no oxybenzone, octinoxate or other chemical active sunscreening agents. Badger baby sunscreen is water resistant for at least 40 minutes. This product is biodegradable and never tested on animals. It’s made from 100% natural and 94% certified organic ingredients. The inactive ingredients include extra virgin olive oil, organic beeswax, organic jojoba oil, organic cocoa butter, organic shea butter, essential oil of organic roman chamomille, natural vitamin E, Co2 extracts of organic calendula and organic seabuckthom. Some consumers report this sunscreen is greasy and difficult to apply, due to the zinc oxide. It also tends to leave a white residue after application. Some consumers report a strong herbal smell. Finally, some consumers of Badger baby sunscreen have reported burning while wearing this sunscreen.

Price: $13.62 for 2.9 ounces

Buy the Badger Baby Sunscreen Cream SPF 30 here.

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Pros:

• Broad spectrum protection
• Biodegradable and never tested on animals
• Water resistant
• 100% natural and 94% certified organic ingredients

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Cons:

• Some consumers report sunscreen is very greasy
• Some consumers report a strong herbal smell
• Tends to go on white and leave a residue
• Some consumers report burning while wearing this sunscreen

Find more Badger Baby Sunscreen Cream SPF 30 information and reviews here.

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7. Best Chemical-Based Sunscreen for Babies: Aveeno Baby Continuous Protection Lotion Sunscreen With Broad Spectrum

Aveeno Baby Continuous Protection Lotion Sunscreen is a broad spectrum sunscreen with an SPF of 55+. (Experts recommend an SPF between 15 and 55, so make sure that you reapply this sunscreen often—just because it has a high SPF does not mean it will stay effective longer.) This sunscreen is fragrance free and non-greasy. It’s made with natural, soothing oatmeal and is specially formulated for baby’s sensitive skin. This product is water resistant for up to 80 minutes. Aveeno Baby sunscreen has been awarded the AAD Seal of Recognition and the Skin Cancer Foundation Seal of Approval and is the number one baby sunscreen recommended by dermatologists. Active ingredients are avobenzone, homosalate, octisalate, octocrylene and oxybenzone—this is a chemical-based sunscreen, not physical sunblock. Consumers report that this sunscreen tends to clump up and cake when applying. It isn’t tear free, so take care when applying to baby’s sensitive face and make sure to keep it out of her eyes. Finally, some consumers have reported receiving a product that is expiring soon, so be sure to check the expiration date.

Price: from $14.50 for 4 ounces

Buy the Aveeno Baby Continuous Protection Lotion Sunscreen With Broad Spectrum here.

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Pros:

• Specially formulated for baby’s sensitive skin
• Fragrance free and non-greasy
• Made with natural, soothing oatmeal
• Water resistant up to 80 minutes

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Cons:

• 55+ SPF (higher than recommended by the Environmental Working Group)
• Tends to clump up and cake when applying
• Not tear free
• Some consumers report receiving a product that is expiring soon

Find more Aveeno Baby Continuous Protection Lotion Sunscreen With Broad Spectrum information and reviews here.

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8. Best Stick Sunscreen for Babies: Adorable Baby by Loving Naturals SPF 30+ Sunscreen Stick

Adorable Baby by Loving Naturals Sunscreen Stick is a 30+ SPF broad spectrum sunscreen in a convenient, easier-to-apply stick application form. It is made with 100% natural ingredients—no synthetic or chemical ingredients are used. The active ingredient is non-nano zinc oxide, and inactive ingredients include grape seed oil, organic sunflower oil, caprylic/capric triglycerides (from coconut oil), organic beeswax, organic cocoa butter, organic shea butter, stearic acid (from palm oil), organic honey and purified water. This product is water resistant for up to 40 minutes. Consumers report that despite being zinc oxide based, this sunscreen goes on clear and does not leave a white residue. However, there are several consumers who have reported issues with the sunscreen getting stuck in the cap or collapsing, or with the formula being dry/tacky and somewhat difficult to apply. Finally, some consumers do not like the fragrance of this product and find it to be a deal-breaker.

Price: $11.40 for 0.86 ounces

Buy the Adorable Baby by Loving Naturals SPF 30+ Sunscreen Stick here.

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Pros:

• Broad spectrum protection
• 100% natural ingredients, no synthetic or chemical ingredients used
• Convenient, easy-to-apply stick form
• Water resistant for up to 40 minutes

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Cons:

• More expensive per ounce than other sunscreens
• Some consumers report the formula is delicate and tends to collapse off the stick
• Some consumers report it is tacky/dry and somewhat difficult to apply
• Some consumers report not liking the fragrance of the product

Find more Adorable Baby by Loving Naturals SPF 30+ Sunscreen Stick information and reviews here.

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9. Safest Sunscreen for Babies: Thinkbaby Safe Sunscreen SPF 50+

Thinkbaby Safe Sunscreen is a broad spectrum physical sunscreen with the active ingredient being non-nano zinc oxide. Inactive ingredients include aloe barbadensis leaf juice, vitamin C, capric caprylic triglycerides, cranberry seed oil, dimethicone, hyaluronic acid, hydrogenated castor oil, jojoba oil, epsom salt, pine wood resin, papaya, olive oil, vegetable glycerin, raspberry seed oil, sorbitan stearate (coconut based), sunflower oil and tocopherols. Thinkbaby is the first sunscreen to pass whole foods premium care requirements. It’s also been highly rated by the Environmental Working Group for several years. This product is water resistant for up to 80 minutes. It’s free from biologically harmful chemicals. The main complaints have to do with the fact that it goes on thick and is somewhat difficult to apply, as well as leaving a white residue, which is the case with most zinc oxide based sunscreens. Some consumers have also complained about the strong fragrance. Finally, some have complained that this formula tends to separate into liquid and solid.

Price: $10.40 (5 percent off MSRP) for 3 ounces

Buy the Thinkbaby Safe Sunscreen SPF 50+ here.

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Pros:

• First sunscreen to pass whole foods premium care requirements & highly rated by Environmental Working Group
• Water resistant for up to 80 minutes
• Free of biologically harmful chemicals: no avobenzone, oxybenzone or UV chemical absorbers
• Broad spectrum protection

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Cons:

• Zinc oxide leaves white residue on skin
• Somewhat thick and difficult to apply
• Has a strong fragrance
• Some consumers complain it separates into liquid and solid

Find more Thinkbaby Safe Sunscreen SPF 50+ information and reviews here.

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10. Best Hypoallergenic Sunscreen for Babies: Hampton Sun SPF 45 Sunscreen for Baby

Hampton Sun SPF 45 Sunscreen for Baby is a 100% hypoallergenic broad spectrum sunscreen with an SPF of 45, which is well within the expert-recommended range. This product is water resistant for up to 40 minutes. It is made with physical sunscreen ingredients, titanium dioxide and zinc oxide. The inactive ingredients contain no potentially harmful chemicals or ingredients; instead, they include natural moisturizers such as sunflower oil, lavender oil and beeswax, which keep skin soft and protected. However, though it is all natural, the ingredients used are not organic. This is a luxury brand, so it is on the more expensive side of things—$28 for just one ounce of product. Consumers note that this product tends to be thick and somewhat difficult to apply, as well as leaving a white residue—all of which is typical for a zinc oxide based sunscreen.

Price: $28 for 1 ounce

Buy the Hampton Sun SPF 45 Sunscreen for Baby here.

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Pros:

• 100% hypoallergenic
• Broad spectrum protection
• Water resistant for up to 40 minutes
• Natural moisturizers like sunflower oil, lavender oil and beeswax keep skin soft and protected

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Cons:

• Tends to leave a white residue on skin
• Thick and somewhat difficult to apply
• Expensive
• Not organic

Find more Hampton Sun SPF 45 Sunscreen for Baby information and reviews here.

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