The 10 Best Baby Sunscreens for Newborns to Toddlers

Editor Tip: Even if your baby doesn't have eczema, this is a great sunscreen for sensitive skin. It's free of parabens, phthalates, and fragrances. It also contains dimethicone, which creates "a protective barrier on the skin's surface so that water can't escape and environmental irritants are kept out," Patricia Ceballos, MD, a board-certified dermatologist in Prescott Valley, Arizona, previously told Allure.

Key Ingredients: Zinc oxide, oat flour, dimethicone

Best Sunscreen Stick: Aveeno Baby Continuous Protection Sensitive Skin Zinc Oxide Sunscreen Stick SPF 50

Why It's Worth It: Aveeno's Baby's Continuous Protection Sensitive Skin mineral sunscreen also comes in a stick formula, which is recommended by both Dr. Greenfield and Dr. Chang. It's particularly good "for those with wiggly babies who refuse to put on sunscreen lotion or need a quick reapplication," says Dr. Chang. Make sure you rub it in to fully cover any exposed skin, adds Dr. Greenfield.

Editor Tip: The compact size makes this sunscreen perfect for travel or throwing in the diaper bag so you never get caught without SPF.

Key Ingredients: Zinc oxide, oat flour, dimethicone

Best Sunscreen Spray: Babyganics SPF 50 Mineral Sunscreen Spray

Why It's Worth It: While spray sunscreens can be easier to apply to a moving target, Dr. Greenfield recommends avoiding aerosol formulas which are more likely to be inhaled or can irritate your little one's eyes. If you do opt for a spray formula, look for a sunscreen that comes in an easier-to-control pump bottle like Babyganics SPF 50 Mineral Sunscreen Spray. "As with all sunscreen sprays, make sure to apply a thick enough layer to get full coverage," says Dr. Chang.

Editor Tip: This plant-derived sunscreen is tear-free, according to the brand, to reduce the risk of irritation if it accidentally gets in baby's eyes.

Key Ingredients: titanium dioxide, zinc oxide, sunflower seed oil, glycerin

Best for Sensitive Skin: Vanicream Sunscreen Broad Spectrum SPF 50+

Why It's Worth It: While not technically formulated for babies, Dr. Chang likes this hypoallergenic formula for little ones with sensitive skin. "It's a pure mineral sunscreen with broad spectrum protection SPF 50+ that does not contain sensitizing chemical sunscreen ingredients, botanical extracts, or essential oils," she says, which can sometimes be irritating. It's free of dyes, fragrances, parabens, gluten, and lanolin, to boot. To help moisturize, it also contains squalane, a hydrator that can help treat skin barrier concerns like eczema.

Editor Tip: Vanicream's formula is non-comedogenic so it won't clog pores and is safe to use on the face, body, and even on mom or dad.

Key Ingredients: Zinc oxide, squalane

Best Baby Sunscreen for Dry Skin: Baby Bum Mineral Sunscreen Lotion SPF 50

Why It's Worth It: Babies' thin skin loses moisture more easily than thicker adult skin, according to the American Academy of Pediatrics, which means your little one will likely deal with dry skin at some point. Baby Bum's Mineral Sunscreen Lotion is formulated with ultra-hydrating ingredients including coconut oil, cocoa butter, and shea butter to keep their skin soft and healthy. It's also free of nanoparticles, making it safe for coral reefs.

Editor Tip: Baby Bum's formula is water-resistant for up to 80 minutes. Just remember to reapply and rub in completely after toweling off.

Key Ingredients: Zinc oxide, coconut oil, shea butter, cocoa butter

Best Roll-On Sunscreen: Baby Bum Mineral Sunscreen Roll-On SPF 50

Why It's Worth It: Baby Bum's Mineral Sunscreen Roll-On SPF 50 also comes in a roll-on version that's fragrance-free and hypoallergenic. Instead of cocoa and shea butters, this lightweight sunscreen is formulated with glycerin, a powerful humectant that helps skin attract and retain water, as well as vitamin E, which works as an antioxidant to help prevent sun damage at the cellular level.

Editor Tip: Many parents find roll-on sunscreens easier to apply than sticks or lotions, particularly for squirmy babies. Plus, they're less likely to spill in a diaper bag.

Key Ingredients: Zinc oxide, glycerin, vitamin E

Best Lightweight Sunscreen: Blue Lizard Baby SPF 50 Mineral Sunscreen Lotion

Why It's Worth It: Dr. Chang recommends Blue Lizard's Baby SPF 50 Mineral Sunscreen Lotion for parents looking for a non-greasy formula. "It's lightweight, fragrance-free, and water-resistant for great protection," she says. It uses both zinc oxide and titanium dioxide to reflect harmful UV rays, is free from parabens and fragrances, and is reef-safe.

Editor Tip: The clear cap turns pink in harmful UV light to help clear up any confusion about whether you really need to apply SPF on an overcast day.

Key Ingredients: Zinc oxide, titanium dioxide, beeswax, dimethicone

Best Organic Sunscreen: Badger Baby Mineral Sunscreen Cream SPF 40

Why It's Worth It: Less is more with Badger's 98% organic Baby Mineral Sunscreen Cream, which is made with just seven ingredients. It has chamomile and calendula to soothe sensitive baby skin and vitamin E and sunflower oil to help hydrate. It also contains organic jojoba oil, a powerful emollient with anti-inflammatory properties to moisturize and soothe sensitive skin.

Editor Tip: Badger's sunscreen is water-resistant for up to 40 minutes so be sure to reapply often and rub in well.

Key Ingredients: Zinc oxide, chamomile, vitamin E, jojoba oil

Best Reef-Safe Formula: Thinkbaby SPF 50+ Baby Sunscreen

Why It's Worth It: Thinkbaby's mineral sunscreen is formulated to reduce its environmental impact. Namely, it's free of nanoparticles and chemicals that can damage coral reefs and ocean life, vegan, and ships in eco-friendly recyclable packaging. It's also highly rated by the Environmental Working Group, which analyzes all ingredients for risks to you and the environment. While it's water-resistant for up to 80 minutes, don't forget to reapply after towel drying and at least every two hours.

Editor Tip: Thinkbaby also offers a Clear Zinc option if you're worried about white cast as well as sunscreen sticks for fuss-free application.

Key Ingredients: Zinc oxide, glycerin, dimethicone

Best EWG-Verified: Babo Botanicals Sensitive Baby Mineral Sunscreen Lotion SPF 50+

Why It's Worth It: This EWG-verified Babo Botanicals Sensitive Baby Mineral Sunscreen Lotion is certified cruelty-free, vegan, and not tested on animals. It also gets the job done offering broad-spectrum protection with SPF 50+. Formulated for sensitive skin, it omits all fragrances and essential oils in favor of a soothing blend of coconut oil, calendula, and shea butter.

Editor Tip: This sunscreen is safe to apply to the face and body and is also a great option for adults with highly sensitive skin.

Key Ingredients: Zinc oxide, coconut oil, shea butter, calendula, sunflower oil, glycerin

Frequently Asked Questions

The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommends waiting until your little one is six months old before using baby sunscreen. "Infants younger than six months old have more sensitive skin and more potential risks associated with certain sunscreen ingredients," explains Dr. Chang. Until they can safely wear sunscreen, she recommends keeping newborns in the shade as much as possible," especially during peak hours when the sun's rays are the strongest."

Of course, your newborn will be exposed to at least some sun. (Your pediatrician may even recommend a few minutes of sun exposure, which research shows can help prevent vitamin D deficiency in the first six months of life.) If your newborn is going to be exposed to the sun for more than a few minutes, "a rash guard, hats, and shade are the best options," to prevent sunburn says Nava Greenfield, MD, a board-certified dermatologist with Schweiger Dermatology Group in New York. "I recommend dressing your baby in lightweight, long-sleeved shirts and pants or a rashguard, wide-brimmed hat, and sunglasses with UV protection to protect their skin," Dr. Chang adds.

So, what if you find you accidentally forgot to pack the sun hat before heading to the park? Preventing infant sunburns, which are linked to increased rates of skin cancer later, according to The Skin Cancer Foundation, is the number one priority. "If you cannot avoid direct sunlight or certain areas of the body are not covered by the sun, I still recommend applying some sunscreen," says Dr. Chang. The risk of irritation on a small surface area of the body is better than the risk of a sunburn, she explains. Just be sure to use a sunblock formula designed for babies.

Sunscreens prevent sun damage by using either chemical or mineral-based formulas. "Chemical sunscreens use chemicals that absorb damaging UV rays and convert them to non-damaging heat," Sejal Shah, MD, board-certified dermatologist and founder of SmarterSkin Dermatology in NYC previously told Allure. Mineral sunscreen contains either zinc oxide or titanium dioxide which physically block both visible and UV light. They sit on the surface of the skin, rather than being absorbed into the skin, and act as a barrier to reflect harmful UV rays before they can do any damage, Dr. Chang explains.

For adults, both options are safe and effective. But for babies who have much more delicate skin, Dr. Chang says you'll want to opt for a fragrance-free mineral sunscreen, "which has a lower risk of allergic or irritant reactions, and avoid chemicals, including oxybenzone and retinyl palmitate"

Every sunscreen, mineral or chemical, comes with a sun protection factor rating. "SPF 15 guards against 93% of UVB rays, SPF 30 protects against 97%, SPF 50 is about 98%, and SPF 100 blocks 99% percent," Joshua Zeichner MD, a board-certified dermatologist from New York City, previously told Allure.

The best sunscreens for babies are "broad-spectrum," meaning they block both UVA and UVB rays and are at least SPF 30, says Dr. Chang. "It is also important to reapply sunscreen every two hours for continuous protection," she adds.

Even with a higher SPF, you shouldn't necessarily ditch all those cute sun hats and rash guards. "Even when babies start wearing sunscreen, they should continue to wear UV-protective clothing and hats for extra protection," Dr. Chang says. "The more protection, the better."

In your quest to find the best baby sunscreen, you'll likely come across formulas labeled for "babies" and others labeled for "kids." "Baby and kid sunscreens are generally similar in formulation…both are formulated to be gentle and often use mineral sunscreen ingredients," says Dr. Chang. While you can technically use them interchangeably, some baby formulas may be "thicker and harder to wipe or wash off," which may make them more protective for babies on the move, says Dr. Greenfield.