Sunscreen is not optional, especially for kids. In fact, it’s crucial for all children over six months of age, regardless of skin tone, experts say. “It helps prevent damage from the sun that goes beyond the painful effects of sunburn, including increased risk for skin cancers down the line,” says Dr. Rebecca Carter, a pediatrician at the University of Maryland Children’s Hospital and associate professor of pediatrics at the University of Maryland School of Medicine.
Visit your local drugstore and you’ll find many safe and effective sunscreen options on the shelves. It might feel overwhelming to see the varying SPF ratings, application types and formulas. To help you determine the best sunscreen for your child, we spoke to dermatologists about what to look for and, importantly, how to properly apply it. We also rounded up expert-recommended sunscreens for kids to consider.
SKIP AHEAD Best sunscreens for kids | What is the safest sunscreen for kids? | Other sun safety tips for kids
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In order to compile the best sunscreens for kids below, we spoke to four dermatologists who recommend the following factors to keep in mind:
- Formulation:You should stick to a mineral sunscreen — also known as a physical blocker — that has zinc oxide or titanium dioxide instead of a chemical base. A mineral sunscreen won’t absorb into the skin, but rather sits on top of it like a barrier, which helps avoid irritation. The sunscreen should also be labeled noncomedogenic, meaning it won’t clog your child’s pores.
- SPF protection:Sun protection factor, or SPF, measures your level of protection against a sunburn, experts told us in our guide to sunscreen. Your child’s sunscreen should have a minimum SPF 30 protection, though SPF 50 or higher is ideal, according to our experts.
- Consistency:Look for creams and lotions, which experts say are the most effective to use on your child as they provide a greater amount of coverage when compared to spray sunscreens. Stick sunscreens are also recommended, but they may be harder to lather onto your child’s skin.
All of the following sunscreens for kids were recommended by our experts and align with their guidance.
Best kids sunscreen overall: Blue LizardBlue Lizard Kids Mineral Sunscreen SPF 50
Blue Lizard’s mineral sunscreens are a favorite among our experts. “I love the ‘smart cap technology’ that helps to teach kids about UV rays — the cap or bottle turns pink in harmful UV light,” says Dr. Hadley King, a board-certified dermatologist in New York City. The sunscreen is water- and sweat-resistant for up to 80 minutes and offers SPF 50 protection. It’s also free of both parabens and fragrances, making it a safer bet for kids with sensitive skin, according to the brand. This stick version is also available as a mineral-based lotion, which contains a chemical ingredient in addition to mineral filters, according to the brand. If you’re looking for a mineral sunscreen specifically for babies, Blue Lizard offers a stick and lotion form.
SPF rating: 50 | Water-resistance: 80 minutes | Sunscreen type: Mineral | Consistency: Stick | Fragrance-free: Yes
Best kids sunscreen lotion: Banana BoatBanana Boat Kids 100% Mineral Sunscreen Lotion SPF 50
This Banana Boat sunscreen has the National Eczema Association’s Seal of Acceptance, which means it’s suitable for people, including kids, with eczema and sensitive skin. It’s fragrance- and oil-free, so it won’t leave a greasy feel after applying it, according to the brand. It’s also highly rated, with a 4.5-star average rating from over 1,000 reviews on Amazon. If you’re looking for a sunscreen that’ll absorb more quickly into the skin, Banana Boat also offers a kids sport sunscreen that’s water-resistant for up to 80 minutes.
SPF rating: 50 | Water-resistance: 80 minutes | Sunscreen type: Mineral | Consistency: Lotion | Fragrance-free: Yes
Best kids sunscreen stick: NeutrogenaNeutrogena Kids Sheer Zinc Sunscreen Stick SPF 50
Neutrogena’s Sheer Zinc Sunscreen Stick is a favorite of King’s for kids because it has a hypoallergenic formula and it’s free of fragrances and dyes, which helps prevent irritation on your child’s sensitive skin. A stick sunscreen is also great for noses, faces and even the scalp, which many people tend to forget about, according to our experts.
SPF rating: 50 | Water-resistance: 80 minutes | Sunscreen type: Mineral | Consistency: Stick | Fragrance-free: Yes
Best hydrating kids sunscreen: CeraVeCeraVe 100% Mineral Sunscreen SPF 30
CeraVe’s products are oil-free, fragrance-free and suitable for sensitive skin in both kids and adults, according to our experts. The mineral-based sunscreen has hyaluronic acid, which helps retain the skin’s natural moisture. Since it can leave a white cast, the brand recommends thoroughly massaging the cream on one small area of the body at a time about 15 minutes before sun exposure. If you don’t want to go through the hassle of rubbing this sunscreen on a toddler that doesn’t sit still, King recommends the stick version of this sunscreen that goes on clear.
SPF rating: 30 | Water-resistance: 90 minutes | Sunscreen type: Mineral | Consistency: Lotion | Fragrance-free: Yes
Best water-resistant kids sunscreen: BabyganicsBabyganics Baby Sunscreen Lotion SPF 50
Carter recommends this mineral-based Babyganics Sunscreen Lotion as a great option. It has SPF 50 protection and a mineral base containing both zinc oxide and titanium oxide. The sunscreen is meant to be hypoallergenic and tear-free.
SPF rating: 50 | Water-resistance: 80 minutes | Sunscreen type: Mineral | Consistency: Lotion | Fragrance-free: Yes
Best powder kids sunscreen: Brush on BlockBrush on Block Kids Mineral Powder Sunscreen SPF 30
This brush-on sunscreen powder comes recommended by King because you can throw it in your bag for easy reapplication. “The powder format is so easy to apply, so kids won’t complain about goopy sunscreen — there’s no smell and it’s translucent,” she says. “The brush is soft and brightly colored, so it’s fun to apply.”
SPF rating: 30 | Water-resistance: 80 minutes | Sunscreen type: Mineral | Consistency: Powder | Fragrance-free: Yes
Best kids sunscreen for very sensitive skin: AveenoAveeno Kids Continuous Protection Mineral Sunscreen SPF 50
Our experts cite Aveeno as a quality brand when looking for a kids’ sunscreen, especially if they have sensitive skin. Specifically designed for kids, this mineral sunscreen lotion has skin-soothing oat and won’t cause irritation or stinging, according to the brand. The lotion also has a non-greasy and fragrance-free formula.
SPF rating: 50 | Water-resistance: 80 minutes | Sunscreen type: Mineral | Consistency: Lotion | Fragrance-free: Yes
Best pocket-sized kids sunscreen: Supergoop!Supergoop! Sunnyscreen 100% Mineral Stick SPF 50
Carter says Supergoop’s mineral sunscreens, which are specifically made for kids and babies, are a great option to consider. Recommended for kids six months to 3 years old, this stick sunscreen is gentle, hydrating and small enough to fit in your pocket. The brand also offers a lightweight spray version of the sunscreen.
SPF rating: 50 | Water-resistance: 80 minutes | Sunscreen type: Mineral | Consistency: Stick | Fragrance-free: Yes
Best kids sunscreen with no white cast: La Roche-PosayLa Roche-Posay Anthelios Kids Gentle Lotion Sunscreen SPF 50
If you have an older child or don’t mind a chemical sunscreen, this La Roche-Posay lotion, which is recommended for kids six months and older and designed for the face and body, is one of King’s favorites. Since it has chemical filters, it’s easier to blend and won’t leave a white cast on their skin, says King. It also has glycerin to help keep their skin moisturized, according to the brand.
SPF rating: 50 | Water-resistance: 80 minutes | Sunscreen type: Chemical | Consistency: Lotion | Fragrance-free: Yes
What is the safest sunscreen to use on kids?Dermatologists told us sunscreens should have a minimum of SPF 30 to provide an adequate amount of protection, regardless of age. “[But] I think SPF 50 or higher is better, as most people put on a much thinner layer of sunscreen than the sunscreen manufacturers recommend and use for their testing to quantify the SPF level,” says Dr. Jennifer Mancuso, a pediatric dermatologist at the University of Michigan Health.
Just as importantly, you should look for a kids’ sunscreen that’s broad spectrum, meaning it’s “protecting against UVA, which causes tanning and skin aging, as well as UVB, which causes sunburns and skin cancers,” says Mancuso.
Mineral sunscreen vs. chemical sunscreenStick to mineral (also known as physical) sunscreens rather than chemical ones, the latter of which are absorbed into the skin and can be more irritating, says Carter. “For infants and young children, it’s typically recommended to use mineral sunscreens made with zinc oxide and titanium dioxide — these are more stable and less irritating or allergenic for sensitive skin,” says Mancuso.
Some sunscreens labeled “mineral-based” may contain some chemical components, but are still suitable for older kids, says Carter (just make sure to check the ingredients list). However, babies and young children between six months old and two years old should use mineral-only sunscreen to avoid any potential irritation on their sensitive skin, says Dr. Karan Lal, a board-certified dermatologist and committee chair of the Society for Pediatric Dermatology. (You should avoid using sunscreen on infants under six months old and stick to sun-protective clothing instead, according to the FDA.)
Because mineral sunscreens tend to leave more of an unsightly white sheen on the skin, some people may prefer to use chemical sunscreen. Older children, teenagers and adults should be fine to use chemical sunscreens as a last resort, our experts say. However, the FDA says that active ingredients in chemical sunscreens, like oxybenzone and octinoxate, need to be studied more before they can be deemed safe and effective by the organization.
Frequently asked questions
Creams and lotions are the most effective types of sunscreen for kids because they provide the most coverage, according to our experts. Stick sunscreens are also a great option because they’re easy to apply, and your kids will typically have fun applying it on themselves, says King. However, you should be able to visually see what areas are covered by a stick sunscreen — otherwise, if you can’t tell where you applied it, you risk UV exposure and sun damage, says Carter.
Though spray sunscreens are a popular choice for older kids and teens since they’re fast and easy to apply, our experts don’t recommend them because you’ll rarely get a good amount of coverage over their whole body (on top of possibly being inhaled in the application process). If you do use a spray sunscreen, make sure to spray it first into your hand (away from your child's face and eyes) instead of spraying directly onto your child's skin, which helps protect their lungs and ensure you have full control over coverage, says Carter.
Kids, especially younger ones, may need to rely on adults to apply and reapply sunscreen. Lal recommends following the “9 teaspoon rule”: 1 teaspoon for the face and neck, 1 for the torso, 1 for the back, 1 for each arm and 2 teaspoons for each leg. And just like adults, sunscreen on kids should be reapplied every two hours, says Lal.
There are a few ways to gauge whether your child is using enough sunscreen. First and foremost, you should visibly see a coat of sunscreen on the skin with white streaks to make sure there are no gaps in skin coverage before rubbing it in, says Carter. You should also go through bottles of sunscreen within a couple of weeks if you're using it every day on multiple family members, our experts say.
All sunscreens tend to wash off when swimming or sweating, so it’s important to reapply your child’s sunscreen every time they get wet. This still applies to sunscreen products labeled as "water-resistant" (which means your child’s protected for 40 minutes of activity in water or while sweating) or "very water-resistant" (meaning they’re protected for 80 minutes), says Mancuso. “It may help to set an alarm on your phone to remind you to reapply it,” she says.
Yes, kids can use the same sunscreen as teens and adults as long as they have mineral-based formulas with broad-spectrum SPF 30 protection or higher, according to our experts. Some older kids, teens and adults may prefer a higher SPF chemical sunscreen that doesn’t leave a white residue on the skin, but Lal recommends only using adult sunscreens labeled as pure mineral-based on young children.
While applying (and reapplying) sunscreen throughout the day does offer an important layer of protection for kids, there are other steps you can (and should) take to keep your kids safe from the sun’s harmful rays. Our experts recommend the following sun safety tips:
- Avoid taking your child out during peak UV hours. “Seek shade whenever possible and avoid prolonged sun between 10 AM and 2 PM when the sun is strongest,” says Lal.
- Opt for protective clothing and accessories. This includes UPF clothing, which will offer full coverage, like long sleeves and sun-protective rash guards, along with wide-brimmed hats and UV-blocking sunglasses when they’re outside, says King.
- Ensure there’s always a covered area. “I recommend purchasing a kid tent to use at the beach to help their kids stay protected during downtime,” says Lal.
At NBC Select, we work with experts who have specialized knowledge and authority based on relevant training and/or experience. We also take steps to ensure that all expert advice and recommendations are made independently and with no undisclosed financial conflicts of interest.
- Dr. Hadley King is a board-certified dermatologist in New York City.
- Dr. Rebecca Carter is a pediatrician at the University of Maryland Medical Center and assistant professor of pediatrics at the University of Maryland School of Medicine.
- Dr. Jennifer Mancuso is a pediatric dermatologist at University of Michigan Health.
- Dr. Karan Lal is a board-certified dermatologist and committee chair of the Society for Pediatric Dermatology.
Mili Godio is an updates editor at NBC Select who has covered a variety of children’s wellness topics, including electric toothbrushes, bikes and rolling backpacks. For this piece, Godio interviewed four dermatologists and researched dozens of sunscreens for kids on the market.
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