The Best Sunscreen for Kids (That Your Kids Won't Hate)
Okay, so you've maaaybe skimped on the sunscreen once or twice when it didn’t gel with your plan for a tan. But when it comes to kids, you’d never consider letting their skin go unprotected. So for you and for them, we’ve put together the ultimate list of sunscreens safe for kids and babies, making sure that even concerns like eczema or reactions to harsh ingredients don’t keep kiddos from enjoying the sunshine. Now, as for wrangling it on them during your next poolside getaway? Sorry. We’ve done all we can do here—that’s up to you.
Best Sunscreen for Kids Overall
Thinkbaby Safe Sunscreen SPF 50
Doesn’t matter if you’re taking the kids on a sunny hike or need a reef-safe sunscreen for a Hawaiian escape—ThinkBaby won’t fail you. It’s a lightweight mineral sunscreen that doesn’t leave behind the white cast that other physical formulas do, absorbs easily for minimal sunscreen-related whines, and gets rave reviews from swimmers who swear this stuff stays on in the water better than its competitors. Even available in a TSA-friendly 3 oz. bottle, it’s the only sunscreen you’ll need to pack for a trip to the beach.
Best Sunscreen for Babies
Badger Baby Sunscreen Cream SPF 30
Time for baby’s first vacation? Badger’s got your back. Hypoallergenic, 98% organic, and packed with extra-soothing ingredients like calendula and chamomile, this is the go-to product for parents who want to make sure the first sunscreen they put on their babes is the best. Reviewers note it takes a little effort to rub in, but that its gentle protection is worth the elbow grease.
Best Sunscreen for Babies with Eczema
CeraVe Baby Sunscreen Lotion SPF 45
One of just a handful of baby sunscreens granted the Seal of Acceptance from the National Eczema Association, this fragrance-free broad-spectrum sunscreen by CeraVe is extra gentle for delicate baby skin prone to dryness and cracks. As a physical sunscreen formula blocks out the harmful rays, ceramides work overtime to repair irritated skin and lock in healthy oils and moisture.
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Best Sunscreen for Toddlers
Alba Botanica Tropical Fruit Clear Spray Kids SPF 50
With a tropical scent, a clear and lightweight formula that blends into skin almost immediately, and a super-easy spray bottle, this pick will win over the wily toddlers who see sunscreen and run. Even better, it avoids the harsh ingredients that many sprays rely on, making it a reef-friendly option for the whole fam.
Best Stick Sunscreen for Kids
Neutrogena Pure & Free Baby Mineral Sunscreen Stick with Broad Spectrum SPF 60 & Zinc Oxide
Kids often squirm when you’re trying to get runny lotion over ever inch of their face, so this hypoallergenic Neutrogena stick can be a great tool for making sure their cheeks don’t burn. Another one with the thumbs up from the Eczema Association, this is a great all-around, water-resistant sunscreen for kids that hate a thick, gloopy formula.
Best Natural Sunscreen for Kids
Blue Lizard Baby Mineral Sunscreen
This Australian concoction checks all the boxes: all-natural, reef-safe, water-resistant, and free of fragrances and grease. But it also adds an element of fun that might get kids more eager to lather on the lotion: the bottle changes color when harmful UV rays are out, letting little tykes see with their own eyes when sun protection is needed.
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Best Organic Sunscreen for Kids
COOLA Organic Baby Mineral Sunscreen SPF 30
On top of solid SPF protection, COOLA uses organic ingredients like avocado oil and shea butter to guarantee extra softness on baby’s skin. Some reviewers don’t love how thick the formula is, but that makes it ideal for extra-warm destinations, since it doesn’t turn into the melty, greasy mess that some runnier sunscreens do in the heavy heat.
Best Fragrance-Free Sunscreen for Kids
Aveeno Baby Continuous Protection Zinc Oxide Mineral Sunscreen SPF 50
If you’ve got a kid who’s sensitive to smells, this fragrance-free sunscreen is your best bet. With an SPF of 50 and 100% zinc oxide as the active ingredient, it’s a strong protectant. But it leaves skin feeling far softer than most heavy physical sunscreens, thanks to a natural oatmeal in the formula that adds an extra dose of soothe.
Best High-Factor Sunscreen for Kids (SPF 60+)
Banana Boat Kids Tear Free SPF 100 Lotion
Banana Boat has been protecting kids’ skin for decades, and recently upped its game with this lotion that has all the SPF and none of the grease. In addition to being tear- and fragrance-free, this high-factor formula gets extra bonus points from the hundreds of online reviewers who say this is the only product they buy for their kids with albinism or extremely fair skin.
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