Can Sunscreen Be Used for Babies?

[Emily Clarke]

Summer is here, and you’re probably ready to head outside for some fun in the sun! However, if you have a little one, protection from the sun is likely to be top of mind. So how do you get out and enjoy the weather while also protecting your baby’s skin from the harshness of the sun? Can you safely use sunscreen on your baby? At what age is sunscreen safe and appropriate?

We’ll dive into these questions below.

Babies Under the Age of Six Months: Use alternative forms of protection from the sun

Doctors and health experts do not recommend using baby sunscreen on a baby who’s younger than six months. Instead, parents with younger babies should use other forms of protection from the sun, such as:

• Lightweight, protective clothing
• A hat with a brim (to protect your baby’s face from the sun)
• Sunglasses
• An umbrella for extra shade

Babies Over the Age of Six Months: Sunscreen is recommended

On the other hand, if you have a baby who’s older than six months, health experts and doctors say it’s okay to use sunscreen on them. Just make sure to choose wisely! A broad-spectrum sunscreen with an SPF of at least 30 is best. Tip: Sunscreen that contains zinc oxide or titanium dioxide won’t irritate your baby’s skin or eyes. If you need to buy baby sunscreen, visit this website.

Baby skin is much more sensitive to the sun than our adult skin, so you’ll want to apply that sunscreen very generously and re-apply every two hours. If you’re at the pool or splash pad, plan on re-applying even more often for adequate coverage and protection from the sun.

What is the best natural baby sunscreen for kids?

Many parents are also concerned about the ingredients found in popular sunscreen brands, and they want the cleanest, most natural option. (Some sunscreens contain oxybenzone, which can affect hormones and allergies in humans.) Fortunately, there are plenty of great natural sunscreen options for concerned parents.

Here are some of the top-rated brands for babies and kids with sensitive skin:

• Thinkbaby Safe Sunscreen
• Bare Republic Mineral Baby Sunscreen
• Waxhead Zinc Oxide Sunscreen
• California Baby Sunscreen Lotion
• Neutrogena Pure & Free Baby Mineral Sunscreen
• COOLA Mineral Baby Organic Sunscreen Stick
• Babyganics Mineral-Based Baby Sunscreen

Read a similar article about the best baby shampoo here at this page.