Could your little ray of sunshine use a lil' sun protection? Guarding your kiddo from the sun's rays is important, but a baby's skin is extra sensitive — and not just any sunscreen will do. You want a product that's gentle, effective, and easy to apply so you can lather your baby up and start having fun in the sun ASAP. After all, you've got your favorite sunscreen, and your baby should have one, too! That's why we rounded up the best baby sunscreen and sun protection products that Grove members love.
These sunscreens are made from plant-based ingredients that moisturize your baby's skin, plus mineral sun blockers like zinc that are safe for your little one and the environment. And because we chose the best of the best, that means no icky ingredients like parabens or artificial fragrances that could cause skin irritation. We've even got answers to some commonly asked questions about baby sunscreen to help you choose the right product for your tiny sun bum.
This list of products was determined by ratings and reviews from Grove members.
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Monster sunburns can seriously ruin sunny days, but don’t let UVA and UVB rays spoil the season. This Fresh Monster Kids Clear Zinc Daily Sunscreen Lotion SPF 30 is a great choice for all ages in your household, from babies to kids and even mom and dad. Made without parabens, sulfates, triclosan, and fragrances, this mineral sunscreen is …
Gentle enough for babies, kids, and grownups, too, this Babo Botanicals SPF 30 Clear Zinc Fragrance Free Sunscreen Lotion is rated number one in safety by the Environmental Working Group (EWG). This 100% non-nano zinc oxide sunscreen is hypoallergenic, reef-safe, sulfate-free, paraben-free, soy-free, and vegan — and it rubs in clear! It offers …
The sun can cause serious damage to your skin, especially if you have sensitive, delicate skin. Protect yourself before you go outside with this Babo Botanicals SPF 30 Sheer Zinc Fragrance Free Spray Sunscreen. This sheer zinc sunscreen SPF 30 spray for extra sensitive skin uses a protective, fragrance-free formula designed to guard delicate skin …
A dream day outside enjoying the sun can soon turn into a nightmare for your skin if you’re not properly protected. Use this Babo Botanicals After Sun Soothing Aloe Gel to help cool and refresh skin after your sun exposure. Hyaluronic acid and rosehip oil moisturizes dry, itchy skin, while green tea and arnica help soothe and treat parched skin. …
Protect with style using Bare Republic's cruelty-free, mineral active sunscreen sticks! Go wild with bold colors and unique scents derived from food-grade ingredients.
Scents-
PINK: Natural Raspberry
GREEN: Natural Coconut
BLUE: Natural Blueberry
Keep the kiddos safe as the weather warms up with Badger Balm SPF 40 Kids Clear Sport. Specially formulated with 98% organic base ingredients and clear zinc oxide, this kids sunscreen guards against harmful UVA and UVB rays. Plus, unlike other zinc oxide products, a specialized zinc oxide powder with high transparency goes on white, but rubs in …
All Good Kids Sun Butter Stick SPF 50 makes it so simple to stick with your family sunscreen routine. We've all been there — squirmy kiddos trying to bypass the application process as they zoom outdoors, hit the pool, or run to the beach. We love how easy it is to apply. Just a quick swipe across the face, nose, and ears is all they need for …
Avoid putting sunscreen on your wee bebe until they're at least 6 months old. According to the Skin Cancer Foundation, at 6 months you can apply a broad-spectrum sunscreen with an SPF of 30 or higher. (And if you're confused about SPF lingo, we've got answers. ) Why choose broad-spectrum, you ask? Broad-spectrum sunscreens protect against both UVA and UVB rays that can cause a host of skin issues.
If you plan on being out 'n' about with a baby younger than 6 months, you can still help protect them from the sun without sunscreen. The FDA says to keep your baby in shady areas, like under a tree, or make sure to cover 'em up with a beach umbrella or stroller cover. Long pants, long sleeve shirts, and hats that provide shade over your baby's neck are all great ways to keep a newborn baby's skin shaded while the sun is out.
Sunlight emits UV rays, also known as ultraviolet radiation — a type of energy that can have negative effects on your skin. The most common types of UV radiation are UVA and UVB rays. Both can contribute to the risk of skin cancer, but they have individual differences as well. UVA rays, which stands for ultraviolet A, are known for skin-aging effects like wrinkles and fine lines. UVB rays, or ultraviolet B, are associated with sunburn. It's important to protect your skin from both types of UV radiation.
That's where broad-spectrum sunscreens come in. Broad-spectrum sunscreens protect against UVA and UVB rays so you and your baby can stay fully guarded against the sun while you're on the beach or running errands on a sunny day. Still not sure which sunscreen is best for you and your little one? We talked to a dermatologist to learn more about the best type of sunscreen for different needs.
There are two types of sunscreen: mineral sunscreen and chemical sunscreen. Chemical sunscreen uses active ingredients that absorb the sun's rays, turn them into heat, and release the heat through your skin. If you see avobenzone, oxybenzone, octinoxate, octisalate, or homosalate in the ingredients list on your sunscreen, you've got a chemical sunscreen on your hands. Chemical sunscreens could cause potential side effects like skin irritation or worsen acne, and oxybenzone in particular has been shown to bleach coral reefs and cause deaths in fish.
Mineral sunscreen, aka physical sunscreen, uses naturally occurring minerals like zinc oxide and titanium dioxide to protect skin against the sun. Mineral sunscreens sit on top of the skin and block the sun's rays, kind of like little mirrors all over your skin. In general, mineral sunscreens are thought to be better for people with sensitive skin — including babies — because they're less irritating.
At Grove, we take the guesswork out of which products are good for you and your home. Every product meets strict standards for being nontoxic, effective, sustainable, and cruelty-free. Once you find products you love, we ship to your home on a flexible, monthly schedule.
If you're ready to make the transition to natural cleaning, beauty, and household products, shop Grove Collaborative's natural products for the eco-friendly tools to tackle the job.
