Whether your baby is playing in the backyard or is at a beach, sunscreen is a must. Sunburns or rashes and irritated skin are one of the worst things that the sun could do to your baby’s delicate skin. There few best sunscreens for kids listed in this article which is not only safe but also very effective.
The baby skin is so sensitive and prone to damage that you must take care of it every time they are exposed to the sun. The harmful UVA/B rays from the sun and the scorching heat could cause a lot of damage to your baby’s skin. And the best way to deal with it is to slather on the lotion!
Even although we talk about lotions and creams to save your kids from the harmful rays of the sun, doctors also advise using physical barriers for younger kids below 6 months like SPF clothing or umbrellas and shades. Once the kid is above 6 months old, it is simple to protect them from the sun without harming them in any other ways. The little one’s skin is very sensitive and brand new, usually, do not want anything to touch it was good cause potential harm. You must make sure that they are not exposed to harmful chemicals and choose sunscreen wisely is important. Choose a screen that says organic and is a label regulated by the USDA.
But when you use a product on your child, you surely want it to be the best. Such products must not contain potential hormonal disruptors which are considered to harm the baby. Usually, there are inactive ingredients like retinyl palmitate which is the Vitamin E and oxybenzone that the parents must look for in the baby’s cream. There could be a lot of debate about a completely mineral based product which is high in the percent of zinc oxide or some product with the titanium oxide! While the parents go through the debate and are trying to switch from the chemical sunscreen to the mineral version of it, the biggest concern lies with the parents as to how do they use them? Parents are looking for higher and higher SPF valued sunscreen for their babies, however, that product might not be blocking both the UVA and UVB radiations.
Summertime is one of the most awaited ones for the kids to go outside and play freely. When the school gets over, it is time for a day-long fun for every kid. Kids love to build sand castles on the beach and play in the park or go biking in groups feeling energetic in the warm summer. Unfortunately, while they are enjoying the warm outside, their skin has started developing problems slowly and might eventually show several years later. The scorching radiations from the sun damage certain cells in our kid’s skin. Also, you cannot stop the sun from shining but you can always help to prepare integument of your choice from excessive exposure to ultraviolet radiation. We have got everything that you need to know right here and what are the considerations you must do before choosing the best sunscreen for your baby’s needs.
What Should You Look for While Choosing the Best Sunscreen for Children:
- Go for an SPF of 30 to 50: Also SPF 30 will block approximately about 97% of the UVB rays; the additional SPF should be able to block a couple more percentage for your kids. So even though you do apply SPF 60 to all the exposed skin of your child, it does not mean that they can stay out in the sun throughout the day without applying it.
- Always look for “broad spectrum” words in the tube: “Broad spectrum” simply means that a sunscreen which is sufficient enough to block out both UVA and UVB rays. The term SPF is usually associated and used for UVB rays protection only. Since both the type of rays are emitted from the sun, it could cause equal skin damage and lead to skin cancer because of which, using a broad spectrum sunscreen is non-negotiable.
- It is very important to read the label: Although sunscreens either use Chemicals or active ingredient like minerals- zinc or Titanium dioxide, both of these help in protecting against the UV rays. Some of these chemical ingredients have a very bad reputation for causing harm when they are used in excessive dosage I studied on the rats. Nevertheless, the pediatric dermatology talks about the bigger concerns and the harmful effects of the sun. Desi that we should be worried about the sun’s rays which are known as carcinogens. (R) However, if you prefer to ignore the caution or its side effects, that could be plenty of mineral sunscreens available in the market. There are Kids who experience skin reactions due to a certain formula which is used to make the sunscreen irrespective of whether the cream is a mineral one or a chemical one. Even the branded ones could be irritating on your baby’s skin. There are few of those sunscreens with have a very strong fragrance which can also be an irritant to the kids. Thus, it is important that you must be aware of what is the content in the container by reading the label completely.
- You must always consider for the best format: Even though there are spray sunscreens that are very convenient to apply on the skin, and could be good sunscreen for kids, you must know that they are in the ideal ones for your child. The younger kids have a tendency to inhale sprays that could irritate their nose or lungs. Although there is no proven fact about the effects of continuously inhaling these spray sunscreen. However, for the older kids, it should not be a big problem as they know when to hold their breath while applying. Although, if you wish to apply adequately the sunscreen it could be ideal to use a paste or cream rather than using the spray as it is easy to miss the spot and you would not be able to apply extra coating if you spray.
- Apply and reapply: Although the SPF promises on the bottle is only accurate if you apply a good amount to all your kid’s exposed skin. You can go through the bottle and do as per the directions mentioned to make sure you are using it properly. Also, you must reapply the sunscreen every 2 hours especially on or after swimming or after the kid is while playing. Sunscreen is no longer guaranteed to protect to the SPF level listed on the label after that. You must not entirely rely on the sunscreen as recommended earlier as well. Always use other barriers like shades, umbrella, hats or sunglasses and cover the body as much as possible with clothing.
When do you Need to Use Sunscreen?
Every time you kid goes out, they must be protected from the sun. Regardless of the temperature or the clouds with cover the sky, ultraviolet rays are always radiating from the sun and reach your child’s skin. During the cooler temperature, your kid’s body is often covered and the sun is not usually very intense. Although it could be true that ultraviolet rays might not be as strong in the winters, it is still advisable to apply sunscreen on all the exposed areas of your child throughout the year as the race with damaged the skin is still present all year round.
It is recommended that before the age of 6 months, you must avoid using sunscreen on the babies. More than anything, avoiding the extra exposure of the child to the sun during the peak hours is recommended and advised that you must always opt for hats and clothing over sunscreen. Post 6 months, you could you say something that has formulated for babies especially. Although it helps in reducing the chance of irritation, their sensitive skin is still protected from the sun with the applied sunscreen. Arthritis natural to be concerned about chemical guys already mentioned, the sunscreens are widely considered to be safe for human use.
List of Good Sunscreen for Kids:
1. Nurture My Body Organic Baby Sunscreen:
This is one of the best organic sunscreens for kids. The sunscreen has been rated for zero toxicity by the Environmental Working Group what is the lowest rating possible but you can be assured that there are no dangerous ingredients that will come in contact with the skin of your baby. This sunscreen has also been certified as we vegan and is packaged in a BPA free bottle that will not leach Chemicals into the sunscreen even at high heat. It is also made with the certified organic ingredient for extra assurance. However, this sunscreen is more expensive and very thick. You must make sure to shake well before application.
2. Babyganics Mineral Based Sunscreen Spray:
This is the product that offers the convenience using the spray applicator with effective completion of this mineral sunscreen. The product is a blend of both convenience and quality. This spray is not mist like and hence it will not become airborne making your child inhale it. The sunscreen provides a broad spectrum for both UVA and UVB protection and is made up of gentle, nonallergic formula which is not easy on the skin and will not even think your baby’s eye if it gets in. Finally, you can rest assured that there are no phthalates or prabens. The sunscreen gives you confidence that you are in choosing the right product for the safety of your little one.
3. Banana Boat Sunscreen kids Family Size with Broad Spectrum Sun Care:
The Banana Boat kids sunscreen is effective for babies who want to have fun in summers outdoors. It protects from both UVA and UVB radiations. it has a featured unique formulation that will never let the kid’s eyes sting because of its fantastic integumentary protectant that has become a very fast and easy task that even the kids will be able to perform on their own. This reduces the dependency on the parents to apply sunscreen on the kids before they move out. Within SPF of ratings 50, you are guaranteed and less fun for the kids and protection along with that. It has been tested by a recognized ophthalmologist. Even if your kid has any sensitive skin or irritation to fragrance, this sunscreen is fragrance-free and hypoallergenic formulation which adds as a bonus to this. A thick lotion that is one of the best because of the various benefits mentioned above. Many adults as well used to the same because of the feature that the sunscreen possesses which does not irritate the eyes even if they get the sunscreen lotion into the eyes. This location is an everlasting one in water as well. It comes in a convenient pump bottle which is not greasy and safe for kids to apply.
4. Aveeno Baby Natural Protection Stick:
This sunscreen is made with oats and it is developed in a partnership with the dermatologist. The sun screen comes in a stick that keeps your baby’s skin safe in the sun and not causes any irritation or outbreaks. Does mineral based sunscreen create an invisible barrier on the skin of your baby preventing it from the harmful rays with enter the dermis and causes brain damage to the skin. It is a hundred percent naturally It is a hundred percent natural sourced which makes it an option for safe and gentle choice of sunscreen. It is an easy to apply on the baby and is sweat and water resistant.
5. Burt’s Bees Nourishing Mineral Sunscreen:
A mineral-based sunscreen with is trusted with the Burt’s Bees that keeps your little one’s skin protected without making it greasy. Even better than that, it contains ingredients that will have to nourish and hydrate the skin in addition to blocking the harmful rays of the sun. This product offers protection from both the UVA and UVB rays that stay even in water due to its smart water-resistant nature. It is also hypoallergenic and does not contain any potential irritants like prabens, phthalates or petrolatum. Although it is on the water resistant for about 40 minutes.
6. ThinkBaby Safe Sunscreen SPF 50 +:
The ThinkBaby has made something that is safe for baby skin which contains none of the questionable harmful Chemicals but still provides Highly Effective and gentle care and protection from Sun. It has a very low toxicity rating from the EWG – environmental working group but it offers maximum water resistance levels and sun protection levels which are available according to FDA regulations. Reviewers noted that this product is not greasy or sticky and some other options were compared to it, found out that it is easy to wash off the hands after application. Although it is thick to apply and you might need to rub it in, it is still very effective and air travel-friendly. This sunscreen although does not provide any specific broad-spectrum protection.
7. Blue Lizard Australian Baby Sunscreen:
This sunscreen is as per the Australian standard who are the most stringent in the world and from where, the formula of brand origin. A mineral-based cream that provides broad-spectrum protection to your baby without a questionable chemical that has made up this traditional sunscreen. It is also creatively pack in an impressive portal that turns IT Park color based on the number of UV rays present so that it indicates you to reapply the sunscreen to your little one regularly. The formula for the sunscreen is based on the sensitive skin product and you will be glad to know that it really feels gentle on the baby’s skin. However, we have heard some users complain that it is oily or Shiny but you must be happy that it is fragrance-free as well.
8. Neutrogena wet Skin kids Stick Sunscreen Broad Spectrum:
This is a wonderful wet skin stick for kids to apply while going out those as it has a lot of benefits because of the design of this product. As it is in a stick form, kids applied there some screen very easily themselves and do not even lead to any mess up. This sunscreen is good to apply even on the face more easily than any other sunscreen especially around the eyes as it is simple to apply precisely around the eyes and does not sting. This wet skin stick does not leave any trace of a white film either afterward. Although it has the best feature of being the simplest and easiest to apply on wet skin, it is recommended that you apply this often – say every two hours. One of the best sunscreen for kids which provides broad-spectrum security and protection from Sun.
9. Alba Botanical Tropical Fruit Spray:
A sunscreen that is made up of all natural Botanicals and has a great smell. Many reviewers have commented that the fragrance of this sunscreen is indeed pleasant and does not overpower. The pump bottle spray that allows and ease of application of the sunscreen on the kid’s skin without any danger of mist to irritate the eyes and is good for the environment as well. The sunscreen that is biodegradable and gluten free, gives broad-spectrum protection along with 80 minutes of water resistance which is great. This is one of the best sunscreens for kids with the product being no greasy.
10. CeraVe baby SPF 45 Sunscreen:
The label says that it is a baby sunscreen and indeed it is very gentle on the skin. All the ingredients used for making the sunscreen are naturally sourced and has no irritating additives like fragrance, parabens or sulfate. This sunscreen offers a broad spectrum coverage and the feedback has always said that it is the easiest to apply without any irritation to the eyesore skin even for the babies with Eczema. It is a water-resistant sunscreen for kids with 80 minutes protection. Again fragrance-free but few reviewers find it difficult to rub in.
11. MD Mums Baby Scan Baby Sunscreen:
A sunscreen that is Dermatologist approved formula containing no parabens or fragrances or phthalates, lanolin or mineral oil in it. This simply means that it does not contain any ingredients that could cause skin irritation in the children. It is not only gentle on the skin but also gentle on the eyes as it does not irritate the eyes on contact or sting. One of the best mineral based sunscreens offering broad spectrum coverage assuring the parents to be free after they apply this to the kids once they want to go out in sun. In case you need great sun protection without skin irritation, this should be your product. One of the best TSA approved for carryon luggage that contains no allergens but a little sticky when rubbing it in.
12. No ad kids Gentle Sunscreen Lotion SPF 50:
Rich in vitamin E and A sunscreen but also protects the skin from the harmful UVA and UVB rays of the Sun is a great choice to make. Because it is a hypoallergenic as well, it serves as the best protector for sensitive skin for kids. This is created with all the essential oils and mineral water plant based and water resistant lotion that does not create a problem when the kids are out playing. The naturally scent free sunscreen lotion does take a little while to rub into the skin but is worthwhile. It also might leave a little bit of white film after rubbing it in, but is great protection and does not even bother the eyes when in contact.
13. Kiss My Face Kids Defense Continuous Spray Natural Sunscreen SPF 50:
Kiss my face kids defense continuous stray is a great sunscreen for your kids that does not have to be rubbed intently into the skin. It is a lotion that contains several vitamins and essential plant oil that is naturally environment-friendly which is also great for the skin. Best nonaerosol container that also is a big plus point for those concerned about the environment. Even though it is a water-resistant sunscreen, kiss my face must be applied even before which is more than some other sunscreen in case you are in the water activities. It is not a huge drawback although, but it is rubbing free and helps in providing naturally required minerals. This is not a very long lasting sunscreen and must be applied frequently.
Let us know your best sunscreen for kids via the comment section below.
