What Sunscreen Is Safe For Newborns

Babo Botanicals Mineral Sunscreen

Babo Botanicals is formulated for sensitive skin. This zinc-based, mineral sunscreen is fragrance-free and hypoallergenic.

Customers love that they don’t use any harsh chemicals or irritants. Instead, they use plant-based ingredients such as shea butter, coconut, and calendula. They also love that it is reef-friendly and good for the environment!

Waxhead Sun Defense Baby Zinc Oxide Sunscreen Spf 35

Waxhead Sun Defense Baby Zinc Oxide goes on smoothly, thanks to its non-greasy and hypoallergenic formula that’s made without toxins and petrochemicals. Not only is this sunscreen enhanced with Vitamins D and E, it’s also reef-safe, biodegradable, cruelty-free, and made with just six certified organic and mineral ingredients.

Is Zinc Oxide Sunscreen Safe

This broad spectrum SPF 50 sunscreen features naturally-sourced 100% zinc oxide and nourishing oat, so its safe on even the most sensitive skin. Plus, its lightweight-feel and oil-free finish makes it an ideal addittion to your daily skincare routine. Apply generously and evenly 15 minutes before sun exposure.

Read Also: Why Does My Newborn Not Sleep At Night

Most Toxic Sunscreens To Avoid

Heres a big takeaway thatll make things somewhat less complicated. EWG recommends avoiding all spray sunscreens. Not only are they very difficult to apply effectiveness and evenly, but theres some concern the ingredients could potentially cause irreversible lung damage. The truth is, the ingredients just havent been tested in the aerosol capacity for long-term impact on human health, like so many other everyday chemicals, unfortunately.

And last year, spray sunscreens contaminated with benzene, a known carcinogen, prompted a sunscreen recall of 14 popular products. Independent tested found that the problem is even widespread.

When it comes to sunscreens, here are some of the other worst overall offenders scoring in the Red Zone for major safety concerns. Overall, these products tested poorly in the EWG analysis and are considered bad choices for sun protection. Just remember, this list is not exhaustive. To check your favorite sunscreen or to peruse the database, .)

This is by no means a complete list. Be sure to check your individual products safety assessment at EWG.org.

Beware And Be Aware Of Sunburns

Sunburns are a serious matter and can cause long-term damage to the skin, so they should be avoided at all costs.

Babies and small children have sensitive skin with lesser amounts of melanin that is prone to sun damage, dehydration, and rashes.

Mild sunburns and heat rashes can be dealt with at home, but anything a bit more serious needs to be handled by a doctor.

To soothe the pain and discomfort of a mild sunburn, give your baby a cool bath. You can also use a damp cloth to soothe the characteristic red patches caused by a sunburn. If you have to use soap, choose a mild one.

Afterwards, dress your baby in loose cotton clothes you can even keep them unclothed for a while. Also, don’t forget to moisturize your baby’s skin! You can use a fragrance-free baby lotion or go for natural remedies like aloe vera and coconut oil to hydrate and soothe your little one’s irritated skin.

If the sunburn is severe, blistering, or painful, call your doctor. If your baby has a fever, seems extremely unwell, is crying excessively, and/or is vomiting, rush them to a hospital because these could be the symptoms of dehydration or a heat stroke.

Don’t Miss: What Causes Meningitis In Newborns

What Is Baby Sunscreen

Many parents worry about chemical ingredients in sunscreen, but experts say the research is clear: The FDA, American Academy of Dermatologists, and American Academy of Pediatrics recommend using sunscreens, including chemical ones.

However, particularly for babies, many experts advise sticking to a physical, not chemical sunscreen. Sunscreen that’s made with the minerals titanium dioxide or zinc oxide stays on top of the skin and physically blocks the sun’s harmful rays without being absorbed by the skin. They are also less likely to cause irritations or allergic reactions.

What The Experts Say

We contacted some experts in the field of sun protection and asked what thebest practice is when it comes to sunscreen and young babies.

The Australasian College of Dermatologists says that the use of sunscreenon young babies under the age of six months is not recommended. The collegewebsite says the reason for this is that a young baby’s skin tends toabsorb more of any chemical applied than would the skin of an older childor adult.

The Cancer Council’s position differs from this slightly. It says that ifinfants are kept out of the sun or well protected from UV radiation byclothing, hats and shade, then sunscreen can be used occasionally on verysmall areas of the skin.

Dr David Orchard, director of the dermatology department at the RoyalChildren’s Hospital in Melbourne says there’s no evidence to suggest thatsunscreen is unsafe for babies under six months. “Once a baby is a week oldtheir skin is no different to an older baby or a child.” However, he doessay that it’s better to keep babies out of the sun in the first place.

“Young babies don’t move much so it’s pretty easy to keep them shadedanyway, but if you are taking them for a quick dip in the ocean, forexample, you can use sunscreen on any small areas that can’t be covered upwith clothing and hats.”

You May Like: How To Get My Newborn Sleep At Night

Sun Safety Tips For Infants

Here are some things to keep in mind this summer when outside with infants younger than 6 months:

• Keep your baby in the shade as much as possible.
• Talk to your pediatrician before using any sunscreen on your baby.
• Make sure your child wears clothing that covers and protects his or her sensitive skin. If you hold the fabric against your hand and its sheer enough to see through it, it probably doesnt offer enough protection.
• Make sure your baby wears a hat that provides shade to the face, neck, and ears.
• Watch your baby carefully for warning signs of sunburn or dehydration. These signs include fussiness, redness, and excessive crying.
• If your baby is becoming sunburned, get out of the sun right away and apply cold compresses to the affected areas. Call your babys pediatrician right away.
• Hydrate! Give your child formula or breast milk if youre out in the sun for more than a few minutes.
• Remember to pack a cooler to store the liquids.

Sunscreens For Infants Under 6 Months

A Moment of Clarity How The Best Sunscreen for Babies Emerged

When our family first began testing 120+ natural sunscreens back in 2010 for this massive natural sunscreen review, I had so many that seemed fine that I wasnt sure how Id ever write up the post recommending a few at the top of the list.

I finally had an aha! moment in the midst of all the bottles and tubes of lotion when my cousin asked me if I had one that she could put on her then 3-month-old son for a trip around the lake on a boat .

Within seconds of pondering, it was clear to me that there were only two sunscreens I would choose for an infant.

The active ingredient had to be zinc oxide, of course. Most of the screens we were testing used either zinc or titanium dioxide as their active ingredients, and many relied on a mix of the two. Zinc oxide is the only one that has been tested to be safe on infants, however its the same thing that makes most diaper creams both white and effective.

At the time, Melansol and Kabana were the only two brands I was testing that fit those criteria, and Kabana had fewer and cleaner ingredients . I gave her our tube of Kabana and told her to keep it, and ever since, Kabana has remained my top choice.

Read Also: How To Clear A Newborns Nose

Tubby Todd Bath Co Mineral Sunstick

Among the safest sunscreens for babies according to the EWG, this highly water-resistant sunscreen stick uses aloe vera, sunflower seed oil, coconut oil and other natural ingredients to protect and soothe babys sensitive skin. The compact packaging means you can slip this product in your pocket or fanny pack, so youll never be caught without your trusty SPF. Plus, its water-resistant for 80 minutes of fun in the sun.

What we love:

• Leaves a white cast on the skin

Buy it: $18, TubbyTodd.com

Benefits Of Sunscreen For Babies Over 6 Months

The primary benefit of using sunscreen is to prevent sunburn. Sunburns can be very painful and can lead to fever and feelings of sickness.”The sun’s rays can cause thermal burn,” explains Dr. Johns. “This burn is similar to the burn you might get on a stove.”

Repeated sun exposure during childhood increases the risk of having tougher, wrinkled skin later in life, as well as the risk of being diagnosed with skin cancer. “The sun damage in those young years confers an increased risk of developing moles, and freckles, all of which increase the risk of developing skin cancer,” notes Karan Lal, DO MS FAAD, a board-certified dermatologist and member of the Society for Pediatric Dermatology. Using sunscreen can prevent skin damage that increases such risks.

Darker skin makes sunburn less likely, but all children are at risk for sunburn when they are exposed to the direct sun. Even if your child never burns, sunscreen still offers many protective benefits. “We know that the damage of the sun’s rays is cumulative, so the longer parents can avoid damage to their baby’s skin from the sun’s harmful rays, the better,” notes Dr. Johns.

Read Also: What To Get For A Newborn

Sunscreen Chemicals Build Up In Your Blood

The effects of sunscreen may linger longer than expected, too. An FDA-led 2020 studyfound that chemical sunscreen ingredients are systemically absorbed after one application, and some ingredients can stay in the blood for at least three weeks.

The sunscreen chemicals tested in this FDA study included avobenzone, oxybenzone, octocrylene, homosalate, octisalate and octinoxate, and all six active ingredients tested readily absorbed into the bloodstream of humans involved the study and at concentrations that surpass an important FDA safety threshold.

This builds onprevious research showing that sunscreen chemicals hit the bloodstream within a day of using them and at levels high enough to prompt a government investigation on safety.

Some public safety experts say this is just one example of the backward nature of product regulation in the U.S.

Beyond safety issues is another question: Does sunscreen even work? Environmental Working Groups found that nearly 75 percent of sunscreens dont work and/or contain concerning ingredients that are readily absorbed by the body.

Things may be slowing moving in the right direction, but for now, the onus is still on the consumer to find sunscreen thats safer and actually works.

Related: What Are Parabens? The Truth About This Common Cosmetic Ingredient

Infant Sun Protection: How Parents Can Keep Their Baby Safe

¿Cómo se ve el cáncer de la piel? ¿Cómo puedo prevenir el cáncer de piel?¿Estoy en riesgo de desarrollar melanoma?Cáncer de piel en personas de colorCómo examinar sus manchasNoe Rozas comparte su

Infant sun protection: How to keep your baby safe

Skin cancer is the most common cancer in the United States, and it only takes one blistering sunburn during childhood or adolescence to nearly double a persons chance of developing melanoma the most serious form of skin cancer later in life.

To protect your baby from the sun, follow these tips from board-certified dermatologists.

Skin cancer is the most common cancer in the United States, and it only takes one blistering sunburn during childhood or adolescence to nearly double a persons chance of developing melanoma, the most serious form of skin cancer, later in life. This is why its important for parents to do everything they can to protect their infants from the suns harmful UV rays and teach their children healthy sun care habits starting at an early age.

To keep your child safe outdoors, dermatologists recommend the following tips:

Related AAD resources

Also Check: How Often Do Newborns Wake Up At Night

Best Sunscreens & Toxic Ones To Avoid

By Leah Zerbe, MS, NASM-CPT, NASM-CES

May 5, 2022

• How to Avoid Too Much Sun

Its no secret that the sun provides all sorts of health benefits, including helping our bodies manufacture vital vitamin D. With warmer weather right around the corner, though, many people are looking for the best sunscreens to cut their risk of sun overexposure, sunburns and possiblyskin cancer.

Environmental Working Groups 16th annual Guide to Sunscreens is a mix of good and bad news when it comes to the state of sunscreens sold in American and beyond. For instance, oxybenzone a suspected hormone-disrupting chemical that is readily absorbed into the body is now present in 30 percent of the 1,850 products EWG investigated. While that may seem high, consider this: three years ago, about 60 percent of sunscreens contained this concerning chemical.

The National Toxicology Program released findings linking oxybenzone exposure to a higher risk of thyroid tumors in female rats. Even the European Commission, which reviews ingredient safety in Europe, published a final opinion finding oxybenzone unsafe for use at current levels.

What Makes A Sunscreen Baby Safe

When shopping for baby sunscreen, check the back of the packaging for the active ingredient list. Look for a sunscreen with the active ingredient of titanium dioxide or zinc oxide.

These are considered physical or mineral sunscreens, sometimes called barrier creams, which means the ingredients sit on the surface of babys skin to deflect the suns rays. I recommend a zinc oxide-based sunscreen because it is the same ingredient that is found in most diaper rash creams and is well tolerated, even by the most sensitive skin.

I would advise against sunscreen that contains oxybenzone, an ingredient that might have hormonal effects. This active ingredient has been banned in Hawaii and some cities in Florida due to concerns that it could be harmful to coral reefs.

Parents should also be careful to avoid baby sunscreens that contain fragrances, dyes or PABA , all of which can irritate babys sensitive skin.

Read Also: How To Let Newborn Sleep At Night

What To Do Instead Of Using Sunscreen

The best way to protect infants from exposure to the sun is to keep them out of direct sunlight. This doesnt mean you have to avoid the beach or the pool entirely, but it does mean you may need to alter your plans a little bit.

Here are some things to consider:

• Use an umbrella or sun shade to provide relief from the glaring rays.
• Limit sun exposure between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. when ultraviolet radiation is at its peak.
• Always have your baby wear a hat that provides protection .
• Hats should have a wide brim and flaps that are large enough to shade the face and the back of the neck.
• Dress your baby in lightweight, light-colored pants and long-sleeved shirts.
• Consider UV-protective clothing if your budget allows.

Keep in mind, though, that none of these interventions provides complete sun protection for a baby. Its possible to get sunburned in the shade or on a cloudy day, so be sure to check on your baby frequently and limit your time outdoors accordingly.

Tips For Protecting Babies From The Sun

Planning to spend some quality time outside with your baby? Protect her from the heat and sun by taking the following steps:

• Stay inside during peak sun hours, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., as much as possible.

• Stay in a shaded area whenever you can.

• Cover as much skin as possible with loose clothing that has a tight-weave .

• Dont forget a wide-brimmed hat and, if your baby will let you put them on her, sunglasses that provide protection against UVA and UVB rays.

• Never drape a blanket over the top of the stroller, since it poses the risk of suffocation and overheating. Instead, use the strollers shade to shield your baby, or boost the protection with a special parasol fixed onto the side.

• Make sure you keep your baby hydrated with breast milk or formula if she’s under 6 months old and with milk and a little water if she’s 6 months or older.

Finally, be smart about spending time in the hot summer sun. Watch for signs of dehydration and signs of sunburn. If your childs skin does get red or burned, move her to the shade right away and apply a cold compress to the pink patches as soon as you can.

Also Check: How Much Will A Newborn Sleep

Babo Botanicals Baby Skin Mineral Sunscreen Lotion Spf 50

Heres another product pegged as one of the safest sunscreens for babies by the EWG. The active ingredient is 100 percent non-nano zinc oxide and doesnt contain any gluten, soy, dairy, fragrance, parabens, phthalates, mineral oil, talc or dyes. Its super-gentle, reef-safe and water-resistant for 80 minutes. Still not convinced? This sunblock is a bestseller on Amazon with tons of 5-star reviews.

What we love:

• Water resistant for up to 80 minutes

What to consider:

• Leaves a white cast on the skin
• Some customers report that this product irritates sensitive skin

Buy it: $17,

Is Sunscreen Safe For Baby

Many sunscreen bottles tell you not to use the product on babies under 6 months, since their skin is so thin and delicate. The American Academy of Pediatrics, however, says its okay to put a little sunscreen on your infant if you have to. Before you slather it on, though, theres a few things youll want to consider.

Don’t Miss: How To Help Newborn Pass Gas