Best Baby Sunscreen

July 10, 2020

Updated: December 17, 2021

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Infants Younger than 6 Months should not Wear Sunscreen

Use Other Forms of Sun Protection as Much as Possible

Sunburns in infants and children greatly increase their risk of skin cancers such as melanoma later in life.⁶ In their first few months, babies do not yet have a normal amount of melanin (the molecule that causes tanning and helps protect against UV radiation) in their skin. Infants younger than six months should be kept out of the sun as much as possible. If going out in the sun, use these methods to keep your child safe from solar rays:^2-5

Dress your baby in tightly-woven but loose-fitting clothing that covers their torso, arms, and legs (but make sure they do not overheat)
Give your baby a brimmed hat that shades their face and neck
Put sunglasses on your baby (you can find sunglasses made specifically for infants and toddlers)
Keep your baby under a natural source of shade like a tree or under their stroller canopy or an umbrella
Avoid going outdoors when the sun’s rays are the most intense, between 10 am and 2 pm
Keep your baby hydrated
Watch for signs of sunburn including fussiness, redness, or excessive crying, and get out of the sun right away if you notice any of these signs

Mineral Sunscreens are Safest for Infants 6 Months and Older

When old enough to wear sunscreen, babies may still be especially sensitive to certain chemicals in some sunscreens. For starters, they are in an important period of major growth and development. At this time, substances which disrupt their hormones or other developmental signals can have particularly damaging effects. With their small size, they also have a higher surface area to body weight ratio than adults and older children, meaning that chemicals on their skin can be absorbed into the interior of their bodies at a higher rate.²

Recent evidence has uncovered some health concerns regarding chemical sunscreen ingredients such as oxybenzone, octinoxate, and octocrylene. Some of these molecules are shaped similarly to the hormone estrogen. Because of this, they can also bind to estrogen receptors on cells. This can disrupt normal hormone signalling, lowering testosterone levels and dysregulating thyroid hormone levels.^7,8 Chemical sunscreens also can cause skin irritation or allergic reactions. Delicate baby skin and eyes are especially susceptible to chemical irritation.⁹

Mineral sunscreen ingredients, like zinc oxide and titanium dioxide, are much safer.¹⁰ In fact, zinc oxide is an ingredient in baby powder to help manage diaper rash.¹¹ Zinc oxide also provides full protection against both types of harmful UV radiation - UVA and UVB - which most chemical ingredients do not.¹²

California Baby Super Sensitive 30+ Sunscreen Lotion

Sunscreens for Babies

REFERENCES

[1] Visscher MO, Adam R, Brink S, Odio M. 2015. “Newborn infant skin: physiology, development, and care.” Clin Dermatol. May-Jun; 33(3):271-280. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/25889127

(see more References)

[2] AAP. 2018. “Sun Safety and Protection Tips from the American Academy of Pediatrics.” American Academy of Pediatrics. https://www.aap.org/en-us/about-the-aap/aap-press-room/news-features-and-safety-tips/Pages/Sun-Safety-and-Protection.aspx

[3] FDA. July 6, 2016. “Should You Put Sunscreen on Infants? Not Usually.” U.S. Food & Drug Administration. https://www.fda.gov/ForConsumers/ConsumerUpdates/ucm309136.htm

[4] Gibson LE. June 27, 2018. “When is it OK for a baby to wear sunscreen?” Mayo Clinic. https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/infant-and-toddler-health/expert-answers/baby-sunscreen/faq-20058159

[5] Amarelo M, Pestano P. June 21, 2017. “19 Best-Scoring Sunscreens for Babies and Kids.” Environmental Wellness Group. https://www.ewg.org/enviroblog/2017/06/19-best-scoring-sunscreens-babies-and-kids

[6] Olivera SA, Saraiya M, Geller AC, Heneghan MK, Jorgensen C. 2006. “Sun exposure and risk of melanoma.” Arch Dis Child. Feb; 91(2):131-138. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/?term=Oliveria+SA%2C+Saraiya+M%2C+Geller+AC%2C+et+al.+Sun+exposure+and+risk+of+melanoma.+Arch+Dis+Child.+2006%3B91%3A131-138

[7] Burnett ME, Wang SQ. 2011. “Current sunscreen controversies: a critical review.” Photodermatol Photoimmunol Photomed. Apr; 27(2):58-67. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21392107

[8] Kim S, Kim S, Won S, Choi K. 2017. “Considering common sources of exposure in association studies- Urinary benzophenone-3 and DEHP metabolites are associated with altered thyroid hormone balance in the NHANES 2007-2008.” Environ Int. Oct; 107:25-32. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/28651165

[9] Deleo VA. 2004. “Photocontact dermatitis.” Dermatol Ther. 17(4):279-288. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/15327473?dopt=Abstract

[10] Schneider SL, Lim HW. 2018. “A review of inorganic UV filters zinc oxide and titanium dioxide.” Photodermatol Photoimmunol Photomed. Nov 16; [Epub] doi: 10.1111/phpp.12439. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/30444533

[11] Panther P, Hines S, Kynoch K, Coyer F. 2017. “Effectiveness of topical skin products in the treatment and prevention of incontinence-associated dermatitis: a systematic review.” JBI Database System Rev Implement Rep. May; 15(5):1473-1496. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/28498177

[12] Environmental Protection Agency. “Sunscreen: The Burning Facts.” EPA 430-F-06-013, September 2016. https://www.epa.gov/sites/production/files/documents/sunscreen.pdf