The 6 Best Sunscreen Products for Infants, Babies and Toddlers

As a parent, you are always looking for ways to keep your children safe and happy. One product that should be in your diaper bag year round and, most importantly, during the summer season is a high-quality baby sunscreen product. Since both babies and toddlers have very delicate skin requiring strong sun protection, the products reviewed in this article are recommended for both age groups. You can even use these products on older children and adults who require higher sun protection than standard adult sunscreens.

In addition to packing a high-quality sunscreen, be sure to use a hat to product your baby or toddler's scalp from the sun. You should also reapply the sunscreen every few hours or sooner if your child is participating in water activities.

What is SPF?
SPF stands for Sun Protection Factor which is a method of measuring how much UVB light reaches the skin in a given amount of time. When you purchase a sunscreen with a higher SPF rating, then you can stay in the sun for a longer time period before your skin will start to burn.

Baby Blanket
This sunscreen is my favorite sunscreen to use on my toddler because it seems to be the most water resistant. It comes in an SPF of 50+ and it protects against both UVA and UVB rays. This product will last approximately 80 minutes while your child is playing with water activities before it needs to be reapplied. It is suitable for sensitive skin.

You can buy this product for about $9 for a 6 ounce tube. Additionally, you can purchase a special sunscreen stick for hard to reach places such as faces and scalps. The stick will cost you about $7 for a .75 ounce stick. I highly recommend purchasing the sunscreen stick because the product will not run into the eyes.

For traveling, the Baby Blanket sunscreen brand offers you a convenient novelette that is pre-moistened with sunscreen.

Hawaiian Tropic Baby Faces and Tender Places
This baby sunscreen has the highest SPF rating available on the market today. It comes with a 60+SPF rating and is both UVA and UVB resistant. This sunscreen product is waterproof and is non-stinging to your baby's delicate skin. You can purchase this product in an 8 ounce bottle with a special 2 ounce detachable travel bottle for about $9. It is also available in a spray.

Banana Boat Baby Tear-Free
This infant sunscreen is the only product on the market that is advertised as tear-free. If the product accidentally gets into your child's eyes, it should not sting. It comes with a 50 SPF rating and is both UVA and UBA resistant. You can buy an 8 ounce lotion bottle for about $7.

If you want to see where you've applied sunscreen, this product comes in a clever spray bottle that literally appears white as you spray it onto your child. You can then determine which spots on your baby's skin that you may have missed while applying the sunscreen.

Aveeno Baby
Aveeno's baby sunscreen product is unique in that it contains natural colloidal oatmeal to keep your baby's skin from losing moisture. If your child has dry skin, this might be a good sunscreen product to try. It is fragrance free and comes with an SPF of 55. It is both UVA and UVB resistant. You can purchase this product for about $10 for a 4.5 ounce sized bottle so it is a little pricier than some of the other brands mentioned in this article.

Coppertone Water Babies
Coppertone makes a good product if your baby or toddler particularly enjoys spending time in the water while out in the sunshine. This product is waterproof and is both UVA and UVB resistant. It is SPF50. You can purchase this product for about $8 for an 8 ounce lotion bottle. You can also buy a quick cover lotion spray that "shows where it goes" so you can see any missed areas on your baby's skin.

Coppertone also makes a special face stick with an SPF of 30. This product helps to keep sunscreen lotion from running into your baby's eyes. You can also use it on hard-to-reach places like ears, faces, and the scalp.

Store Brands
Many store brands such as Target or Wal-Mart offer baby sunscreens that are comparable to national brands. If one of the national brands listed above is a bit too pricey, then check your local grocery or big box store. Read the label and compare the active ingredients to other popular brands. You may be able to save several dollars per bottle.

Sources:
Personal experience

Dermatology information

Baby Blanket

Hawaiian Tropic

Banana Boat

AveenoCoppertone