Shiz No One Tells You About Baby Sunscreen

Shiz No One Tells You about children's Sunscreen

SUMMER has arrived before we realized it. If you are like us, you have been quarantined and are ready to started venturing out to enjoy the gorgeous weather ahead. As you know, our daughter has really sensitive skin, so I have had to try every possible sunscreen out there for babies & Children.

***Please consult your doctor when using sunscreen for infants under 6 months. We do not pretend to know better than medical professionals.

What is the difference between baby/children's sunscreen and adult sunscreen? Baby/Children's sunscreen is generally mineral based, which is supposed to cause less irritation. Adult sunscreen is generally chemical based. There are children’s sunscreens out there that contain chemical blockers like avobenzone, oxybenzone and octinoxate. And though the FDA is still in the process of updating its regulations for sunscreen safety, for now, the only two ingredients that have been deemed safe are zinc oxide and titanium dioxide.

What SPF should I use for my child? From everything I have read, your child should wear at least SPF 30 or higher. You should wear it every day and put it on at least 15 minutes preferably 30 minutes before going outside so the skin has time to absorb the sunscreen.

How often should you reapply sunscreen? Every time you get out of the pool or ocean, dry-off first. Every hour if you are out in the sun or in the water continuously. 

Favorite Face Sunscreens:

Hawaiian Tropic Silk Hydration $9

• SPF 30 & works great in the water
• Feels amazing on your face
• Smells really good
• Spreads really nicely
• Fits nicely in the baby bag or purse
• It is not "baby/child" specific
• Does not contain any of the chemical blockers mentioned above which is why I felt save using it on my daughter
• NOT tested on animals
• Zero skin irritation
• REEF friendly

Neutrogena Pure & Free Stick around $8

• This is tied for first. 
• Not greasy and spreads easily
• Nice smell
• Does great in the water
• Keep it in the baby bag for whenever we go out
• I have used it on myself as well works wonders on my skin as well.
• You don't feel like you are wearing anything.

Aveeno Baby Continuous Protection $9

• Not greasy
• Didn't spread easily at all
• Smell was sunscreen smell 
• I did feel the need to put this on more since it didn't spread as easily. I felt like I missed spots.

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Favorite Sunscreens for the Body:

Hawaiian Tropic Silk Spray $9

• SPF 15, 30 or 50 available
• Not baby/child specific but DOES NOT have any of the chemicals mentioned to avoid
• Goes on so nicely, very light weight and I don't feel the need to rub it in
• Smells amazing
• No skin irritation 
• REEF friendly
• Doesn't test on animals

Blue Lizard Kid's Mineral Sunscreen $14

• ​Nice range of SPF #s
• Says no scent but it does have a smell but it isn't strong
• Do not need a ton of product
• Does spread nicely and feels great on the skin
• Lasts a long time and feels to last in the water
• Characters are a nice touch, my daughter loves putting them on

Sun Bum Mineral Sunscreen $17

• We've been using SPF 30
• Sprays on very nicely 
• Does feel "heavy" on your skin
• Smells fresh and not sunscreeny
• I didn't love the feel of it in the water
• Does feel a bit oily
• No skin irritation for our daughter

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Resources for Sun Care:

Article from Parents.com

​Sunscreen info for Toddlers from What to Expect.com

​Pure Wow Article about difference between children and adult sunscreen