Short answer: The best sunscreen for babies is Thinkbaby Safe Sunscreen SPF 50+ ($12–$15). It’s mineral-only (zinc oxide), EWG #1 rated for safety, free of chemical UV filters, and provides broad-spectrum UVA/UVB protection with 80-minute water resistance.
I’ve spent way too many hours reading sunscreen ingredient lists, cross-referencing EWG safety ratings, and patch-testing formulas on my own arm before putting them anywhere near my kids. Sunscreen is one of those products where the wrong choice isn’t just ineffective — it can actually expose your baby to chemicals you’re trying to avoid in the first place.
So here’s everything I’ve learned: the rules for baby sunscreen, what to look for, what to avoid, and the three specific products I trust enough to put on my own children. I’ve also included a UV index guide at the bottom so you know when to apply, when to stay in shade, and when to just stay inside.
The Rules for Baby Sunscreen
Before we get to specific products, let’s cover the ground rules. These come from the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), and they’re worth knowing.
Under 6 Months: No Sunscreen
This one surprises a lot of parents. If your baby is younger than 6 months, the AAP says no sunscreen at all. Baby skin is too thin and too permeable at that age — even mineral ingredients can be absorbed more readily than in older children.
Instead, use shade, wide-brimmed hats, and lightweight long sleeves. Keep babies out of direct sunlight as much as possible. If you’re going to be outside, a stroller canopy or pop-up shade tent is your best friend. And if a small area of skin (like the back of the hands) can’t be covered and sun exposure is unavoidable, the AAP says a small amount of mineral sunscreen on those areas is acceptable even under 6 months — but it’s the exception, not the rule.
6 Months and Older: Mineral Sunscreen Only
Once your baby hits 6 months, you can start using sunscreen — but stick with mineral formulas. The AAP and most pediatric dermatologists recommend zinc oxide or titanium dioxide as the active ingredients. These are physical UV blockers that sit on top of the skin and reflect UV rays rather than absorbing them.
Why Mineral Over Chemical?
Chemical UV filters — like oxybenzone, avobenzone, octinoxate, homosalate, and octocrylene — work differently. They absorb into the skin and neutralize UV rays chemically. The problem? The FDA has confirmed that these chemicals are absorbed into the bloodstream after a single application. Oxybenzone in particular is a known endocrine disruptor, meaning it can interfere with hormones. In babies and toddlers whose bodies are still developing, that’s a risk I’m not willing to take.
Mineral sunscreens don’t carry these risks. Zinc oxide and titanium dioxide have been used for decades and are classified as GRASE (Generally Recognized as Safe and Effective) by the FDA. They stay on the surface of the skin. They don’t absorb. They just work.
SPF: The Sweet Spot Is 30–50
SPF 30 blocks about 97% of UVB rays. SPF 50 blocks about 98%. SPF 100? It blocks 99%. The difference between SPF 50 and SPF 100 is literally 1% more UVB protection — but SPF 100 requires significantly more chemical filters to achieve that marginal gain. There is no reason to go above SPF 50 for a baby. The sweet spot is SPF 30 to 50.
Broad Spectrum Is Non-Negotiable
Make sure the label says “broad spectrum.” This means it blocks both UVA rays (which cause aging and contribute to skin cancer) and UVB rays (which cause sunburns). A sunscreen that only blocks UVB will prevent burns but still allow the deeper, more damaging UVA rays through. Zinc oxide is naturally broad spectrum, which is one more reason it’s the gold standard for baby sunscreen.
Water Resistance Matters
If your baby will be swimming, splashing, or just sweating (which babies do), look for “water resistant 80 minutes” on the label. This is the highest water-resistance rating the FDA allows, and it means the sunscreen maintains its SPF for 80 minutes of water exposure. You still need to reapply after that.
There’s also a “water resistant 40 minutes” rating, which is fine for everyday use but not ideal for beach or pool days. For anything involving water, go with the 80-minute option. All three of my picks below have it.
How I Chose These Sunscreens
I didn’t just grab whatever had a cute baby on the label. I went through the EWG’s sunscreen database, read clinical studies on mineral vs. chemical UV filters, and tested the top-rated options on real skin in real sun.
Here are the specific criteria I used:
- Mineral-only active ingredients — zinc oxide and/or titanium dioxide, nothing else
- No chemical UV filters — zero oxybenzone, avobenzone, octinoxate, homosalate, or octocrylene
- No parabens, no synthetic fragrances, no phthalates
- EWG safety rating of 1 or 2 — the best possible scores from the Environmental Working Group
- SPF 30+ broad spectrum
- Water resistant (80 minutes preferred)
- Real-world usability — because a sunscreen your toddler screams about is a sunscreen that doesn’t get applied
Every product below meets all seven criteria. I’ve tested each one on my own kids in real-world conditions — at the beach, at the pool, on sweaty summer walks. Here’s what held up.
The 3 Best Baby Sunscreens
#1 Best Overall: Thinkbaby Safe Sunscreen SPF 50+
$12–$15 (3oz) / $25 (6oz) · Active: 20% zinc oxide · EWG rated #1
Thinkbaby has been the top-rated sunscreen on the EWG’s sunscreen guide for years, and for good reason. It uses 20% zinc oxide as its only active ingredient, provides broad-spectrum UVA/UVB protection, and has 80-minute water resistance. It’s free of oxybenzone, avobenzone, octinoxate, parabens, phthalates, BPA, PABA, and synthetic fragrance.
What I love most about it in practice: it doesn’t sting eyes. If you’ve ever tried to apply sunscreen to a squirmy toddler’s face, you know how important this is. The white cast is moderate — noticeable at first, but it blends in with rubbing. It’s not going to be invisible, and honestly, I consider that a feature because you can see where you’ve applied it.
This is in my diaper bag right now. It’s the one I reach for every time.
#2 Best Organic: Badger Baby Sunscreen SPF 40
~$15–$18 · Active: zinc oxide (non-nano) · USDA Certified Organic
If you want the most natural formula possible, Badger is your pick. It’s one of the only sunscreens that carries the USDA Certified Organic seal, meaning its inactive ingredients (sunflower oil, beeswax, vitamin E) meet organic food standards. The zinc oxide is non-nano, meaning the particles are larger and don’t penetrate the skin. It’s EWG top rated and has 80-minute water resistance.
The trade-off: it’s thicker than Thinkbaby. The beeswax base gives it a heavier, more paste-like texture that takes more rubbing to spread. The white cast is more noticeable. But if ingredient purity is your top priority, nothing beats Badger.
Best if you want the most natural formula possible.
#3 Best Value: Blue Lizard Baby Mineral Sunscreen SPF 50+
~$12–$16 · Active: zinc oxide + titanium dioxide · Australian formula
Blue Lizard is an Australian brand, and that matters because Australian sunscreen standards are stricter than US standards. Their baby formula uses both zinc oxide and titanium dioxide for broad-spectrum protection, and comes in a smart bottle that turns blue when exposed to UV light — which is both a fun trick and a genuinely useful reminder to apply sunscreen.
The texture is slightly thinner than Thinkbaby, which makes it easier to spread on wiggly limbs. It has 80-minute water resistance and doesn’t contain parabens or oxybenzone. The white cast is present but less intense than Badger.
One detail I appreciate: the smart bottle technology isn’t just a gimmick. When the bottle turns blue in UV light, it’s a visual cue that UV rays are present — even on overcast days. It’s a simple way to remember that the sun is doing its thing whether you can see it or not.
Great for families on a budget who want a trusted name.
A Note on All Three
None of these sunscreens will go on invisibly. That’s the trade-off with mineral formulas — you get safety and simplicity, but you also get some degree of white cast. I’ve made peace with this. A little bit of visible zinc oxide is a small price to pay for knowing my kids aren’t absorbing chemical UV filters through their skin. And honestly, it fades within a few minutes of rubbing it in. Your baby doesn’t care what they look like at the splash pad — promise.
What to Avoid
Just as important as knowing what to buy is knowing what to skip. Here are the sunscreen red flags for babies and toddlers.
- Spray sunscreens — The AAP recommends lotion only for young children. Sprays create an inhalation risk, and it’s nearly impossible to apply an even, adequate layer with a spray.
- Chemical UV filters — Oxybenzone, avobenzone, octinoxate, homosalate, and octocrylene. All are absorbed into the bloodstream.
- “Natural” sunscreens without SPF testing — The word “natural” is not regulated. A product can call itself natural and contain anything. If there’s no SPF number on the front and no Drug Facts panel on the back, it is not a real sunscreen.
- Sunscreens with fragrance — Synthetic fragrances can irritate baby skin and may contain undisclosed chemicals. Look for “fragrance-free” on the label.
- Very high SPF claims (SPF 100+) — SPF 100 does not mean double the protection of SPF 50. It means 99% UVB blocking vs. 98%. The extra 1% requires more chemical filters and gives parents a false sense of security.
- Expired sunscreen — Sunscreen has a shelf life, usually 3 years from manufacture. If you’re pulling last year’s bottle from the back of the closet, check the expiration date. Expired sunscreen may not provide its labeled SPF protection.
A good rule of thumb: flip the bottle over and read the Drug Facts panel. If you see any chemical UV filter listed under “Active Ingredients,” put it back on the shelf. You want to see only zinc oxide, only titanium dioxide, or both. Nothing else.
How to Apply Sunscreen on a Squirmy Baby
Knowing which sunscreen to buy is only half the battle. Actually getting it on a baby who has places to be? That’s the real challenge. Here’s what works for me.
- Apply 15–30 minutes before sun exposure. Mineral sunscreen works immediately, but giving it time to set means it’s less likely to rub off on the car seat or stroller.
- Use about a nickel-sized amount for the face and a shot glass amount for the body. Most people under-apply by half — more is better.
- Don’t forget the easy-to-miss spots: ears, back of neck, tops of feet, behind the knees, and the part in their hair if they have one.
- Reapply every 2 hours — or immediately after swimming, toweling off, or heavy sweating. Set a timer on your phone if you need to.
- For toddlers who hate it: make it a game. Let them “help” apply sunscreen to your face first. Sing a song. Name the body parts as you go. My toddler now asks to “do mama’s nose.”
- Stick sunscreens are great for faces — less mess, less chance of getting into eyes, and toddlers often tolerate them better than lotion. I keep a Thinkbaby stick in the car for quick reapplication.
What About Clothing and Shade?
Sunscreen is important, but it’s not your only tool. A UPF 50+ rash guard blocks more UV than any sunscreen, doesn’t need reapplying, and doesn’t involve wrestling a toddler. Wide-brimmed hats with neck flaps are another easy win. I think of sunscreen as the layer you add to the skin that clothing can’t cover — face, hands, feet, legs below shorts. Clothing does the heavy lifting everywhere else.
And when you can, choose shade. A pop-up baby tent at the beach or a stroller canopy at the park goes a long way. The best sun protection is a combination of shade, clothing, and sunscreen — not just one of the three.
When Is the UV Index Too High for Babies?
The UV index tells you how strong the sun’s ultraviolet radiation is at any given time. It’s a much better guide than temperature or cloud cover — because you can get a serious sunburn on a cool, cloudy day if the UV index is high enough. The scale runs from 0 (nighttime) to 11+ (extreme). Here’s how to read it and what to do at each level:
I check the UV index every morning before we head out, especially in summer. It takes 10 seconds and completely changes how I plan our outdoor time. Anything above a 6, and we’re doing morning or late afternoon only — no midday park trips.
Here’s the thing most people don’t realize: UV rays are strongest between 10am and 4pm, regardless of temperature. A cool spring day at UV index 8 is harder on your baby’s skin than a hot summer day at UV index 4. Temperature and UV are not the same thing. Always check the index, not the thermometer.
For babies specifically, I try to keep outdoor activities to the morning (before 10am) or late afternoon (after 4pm) whenever the UV index is above 6. Babies have thinner skin than adults and less melanin, which means they burn faster and more easily. One blistering sunburn in childhood more than doubles the risk of melanoma later in life. It’s worth planning around.
The Bottom Line
Sun protection for babies doesn’t have to be complicated. Here’s the entire strategy in four steps:
- Check the UV index before heading outside (use our free UV tool).
- Dress smart — UPF clothing, wide-brimmed hat, sunglasses if they’ll keep them on.
- Apply mineral sunscreen to exposed skin (SPF 30–50, broad spectrum).
- Reapply every 2 hours or after water and sweating.
Thinkbaby SPF 50+ is the safest, most effective option I’ve found. It’s been the top-rated sunscreen on EWG’s guide for years, it doesn’t sting little eyes, and it costs less than your morning coffee habit. Your baby’s skin will thank you in 30 years.
And if you’re the kind of parent who reads ingredient lists (you’re here, so I know you are), trust yourself. You don’t need to overthink this. Mineral-only, SPF 30–50, broad spectrum, water resistant. That’s the checklist. Everything else is marketing.
Your baby’s skin is counting on you, and you’re already doing the research. That matters more than any one product.