Trying to figure out the best sunscreen for kids and babies in 2024? We’ve got you covered!
Protect those babies! ☀️
On the hunt for the best sunscreen for kids and babies? These are the top-rated ones for 2024 that are safe as they are effective. Get ready for summer fun!
When choosing the best (and worst) sunscreens on our lists below, we compiled reputable feedback from Consumer Reports and EWG to give you the highest-rated & best-tested sunscreens on the market.
*Keep in mind, it’s recommended to consult with your family physician when considering any sun protection for babies under the age of 6 months.
Tips for using kids and baby sunscreen…
According to the Skin Cancer Foundation, while having the best baby sunscreen is super important, it’s just as important to apply it correctly for the ultimate effectiveness.
Here are the steps to follow when protecting all children against the sun:
- Use a broad-spectrum sunscreen of SPF 30 or higher.
- Limit sun exposure and the amount of time outside.
- Always check the expiration date to make sure it’s still good.
- Apply it generously – 1 shot glass is the average amount used to cover your body.
- Make sure to apply sunscreen thoroughly and be sure to cover hard-to-reach places (scalp, ears, back of the neck, etc.)
- Apply about 15 minutes before going out in the sun.
- Reapply sunscreen every 2 hours when out in the sun.
- Wear sunscreen every day – regardless of the weather, the sun can damage your skin, so stay protected.
Hip Tip: SPF sunscreen is eligible for reimbursement with FSA, HSA, and HRA accounts. A broad-spectrum sunscreen with SPF 15+ protection (and above) is FSA and HSA-eligible! And to make shopping for these products even easier, Amazon now has an FSA & HSA Store!
*For more information on sun safety for children and babies, head over to skincancerinfo.org.
Here are the best sunscreens to buy for kids & baby:
1. Blue Lizard is the best baby sunscreen and the #1 recommended brand by pediatricians.
Best unique sunscreen
Blue Lizard Baby Sunscreen – $14.98
Opt to Subscribe & Save (5-15% off + free shipping for Prime members)
Final cost $14.23 shipped (5% off) OR $12.73 shipped (15% off)!
Looking for the best baby sunscreen? Make no mistakes and start buying this baby sunscreen for your kiddos if you’re big on listening to whatever the doctor ordered. A top choice among many other options on the shelf, this sunscreen is also known to be the #1 mineral-based sunscreen brand by pediatricians.
This Blue Lizard formula contains absolutely no fragrances or parabens, so it’s suitable for even the most sensitive baby skin. Best of all, the “smart bottle” itself turns pink wherever there are harmful UV rays, so you’ll always know when it’s time to reapply. 😱
2. Badger Baby Mineral Sunscreen is pediatrician-tested and meets all of EWG’s criteria.
Best sustainable sunscreen
Badger Baby Mineral Sunscreen – $15.29 (regularly $17.99)
Opt to Subscribe & Save (5-10% off + free shipping for Prime members)
Final cost $14.53 shipped (5% off) OR $13.76 shipped (10% off)!
This pediatrician-tested sunscreen is gluten-free, hypoallergenic, formulated with 98% organic ingredients, and meets all of EWG’s requirements. It’s also just as effective as it is gentle on your skin with the active ingredient, zinc oxide, and nourishing ingredients like sunflower oil, jojoba, and beeswax leaves.
This mineral sunscreen is a great choice for any parent if your goal is to find quality sunscreen from a trusted and reputable brand. It often makes the list of the best sunscreen for kids and babies. Even better, it’s a sustainable choice considering it’s reef-friendly, certified cruelty-free, packaged in a 50% PCR tube, and made with clean solar power. WOW! 🤯
3. Trader Joe’s sunscreen has the best ratings of all the sunscreens.
Best spray sunscreen
Trader Joe’s offers an effective spray-on sunscreen and is surprisingly one of the best sunscreens for kids on the market according to many research sites. While it’s not necessarily marketed for kids, it’s great for anyone with its easy spray design. It provides UVA & UVB protection, contains skin-nourishing ingredients like aloe, vitamin E, and coconut oil, is water-resistant, and the SPF more than meets the Skin Cancer Foundation standards!
The best part? It’s only $9.99 a can in Trader Joe’s stores. However, you can get a 2-pack shipped right to your door on Amazon for around $22. This sunscreen sells fast so scoop up a pack while you can!
4. Baby Bum Sunscreen Face Stick is made in the USA and is a great travel-friendly sunscreen.
Best stick sunscreen
Baby Bum Sunscreen Face Stick – $11.49 (regularly $12.49)
Opt to Subscribe & Save (5-15% off + free shipping for Prime members)
Final cost $10.92 shipped (5% off) OR $9.77 shipped (15% off)!
Headed for a family vacation and need something travel-friendly? The Baby Bum sunscreen stick is perfect for little ones’ faces and will make application a cinch. It’s also moisturizing (without being oily) and is fragrance-free, hypoallergenic, pediatrician-tested, and dermatologist-tested so it’s a great option for all skin types.
To top it off, this dye-free and vegan sunscreen is also cruelty-free and packed with restorative oils. Even better, it’s free from gluten, parabens, formaldehyde glycol, propylene glycol, petrolatum, petroleum, phthalate, sulfates, silicone, talc, and mineral oils! 😱
5. Thinkbaby sunscreen is vegan and is the #1 best-seller in baby sun protection.
Best vegan sunscreen
Rated as the #1 best seller in baby sun protection on Amazon and boasting over 6,000 5-star reviews on Amazon, this baby sunscreen is already a no-brainer if you’re looking for the best sunscreen for kids! This broad-spectrum UVA & UVB sunscreen has 50 SPF and is astoundingly water-resistant for up to 80 minutes which means more fun in the sun!
With stellar reviews, it also has many other impressive qualities such as being vegan and Leaping Bunny certified which means this sunscreen contains no PABA, parabens, phthalates, BPA, oxybenzone, avobenzone, petroleum, gluten, dairy, or toxic chemicals. 👏🏻
Here’s one popular kid’s sunscreen to totally avoid:
This popular sunscreen formulated for babies fell wildly short of the 50 SPF claim as it tested under SPF 10! It was also reported to have below-average protection against UVA rays and cast a white, greasy film on the skin. In fact, it performed the absolute worst out of all the tested sunscreens on Consumer Reports. No, thank you!
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