We all want what is best for our children. But sometimes all the information out there about what is safe and what is not is just overwhelming! I’m hoping to make one thing a little bit easier for you… I did the research and found some of the safest non-toxic sunscreens for your kids and babies.
The United States is pretty relaxed in safety regulations of cosmetic and personal care products. Companies are able to use almost any ingredient they want in their products. Many chemicals often found in sunscreen have not been evaluated or tested for safety. Exposure to ingredients found in many sunscreens — including those marketed for children — are linked to adverse health effects. These range from skin, eye and lung irritation, to more serious issues like developmental/reproductive toxicity, organ system toxicity and cancer.
The Environmental Working Group (EWG) is staffed with scientists that look at the ingredients and determine the toxicity of them. Their Skin Deep database is my go-to resource to look up the safety of ingredients in the products I put on my skin or that of my children. Every sunscreen listed here is given a “1” rating by the EWG. This is their best rating. It means that there is a very low hazard risk associated with the ingredients in the product.
The prices change a lot for these, so if a price is mentioned, please know that it varies and changes.
Lotions
Coppertone Pure & Simple Baby Sunscreen Lotion, SPF 50 (usually under $10 for a 6oz bottle)
Aveeno Kids Continuous Protection Sensitive Skin Zinc Oxide Sunscreen Lotion, SPF 50 (usually under $10 for a 3oz bottle)
Babo Botanicals SPF 30 Clear Zinc Lotion ∙∙∙ This is my current favorite for faces. It rubs in really well and doesn’t leave the white residue like many others.
Badger Active Baby Natural Mineral Sunscreen Cream, Chamomile & Calendula, SPF 30
Badger Kids Active Sunscreen Cream, Tangerine & Vanilla, SPF 30
Bare Republic Baby Mineral Sunscreen Lotion, SPF 50
Earth Mama Baby Mineral Sunscreen Lotion
Goddess Garden Organics Kids Natural Sunscreen Lotion, SPF 30
Adorable Baby Sunscreen Lotion, SPF 30+
Coppertone Pure & Simple Kids Sunscreen Lotion, SPF 50
Nurture My Body Baby Organic Sunscreen Lotion, SPF 32
Sunblocz Baby & Kids Sunscreen, SPF 50+
California Baby Calendula Sunscreen Lotion, SPF 30+
Neutrogena Pure & Free Baby Sunscreen Lotion, SPF 50
ATTITUDE Mineral Baby & Kids Sunscreen Lotion, Fragrance Free, SPF 30
ATTITUDE Mineral Baby & Kids Sunscreen, Vanilla Blossom, SPF 30
Kiss My Face Organics Kids Mineral Sunscreen, SPF 30
Sunscreen Sticks
Babo Botanicals Clear Zinc Sport Stick Sunscreen – SPF 30
Babyganics Mineral Sunscreen Stick, SPF 50+
Earth Mama Baby Face Mineral Sunscreen Stick
Adorable Baby Sunscreen Stick, SPF 30+
Bare Republic Baby Mineral Sunscreen Stick, SPF 50
If you want to know more about the EWG and what the trouble is with chemicals in sunscreen, read this article.