The 11 Best Baby Sunscreens of 2024

This spray sunscreen is a huge win for parents because it goes on so easily. Since it’s not an aerosol spray, it’s far more concentrated and ensures that more sunscreen is going onto your baby’s skin rather than into thin air. It’s SPF 50+, contains both UVA and UVB protection, is water resistant and doesn’t require arm strength to rub it all in. It’s also nourishing and safe on sensitive skin thanks to the infusion of their NeoNourish Seed Oil Blend containing tomato, sunflower, cranberry, black cumin and raspberry seed oils. This also packs great in your carry-on bag, coming in at the exact allowed 6 ounces!

There’s a reason parents rave about this baby-friendly mineral sunscreen—and have been using it since their kids were tiny and are still using it well into the double digits. It goes on smoother than most and doesn’t leave a greasy film that catches everything the wind blows in the direction of your kiddo. It’s high in SPF (50+) and is broad-spectrum, meaning it protects against both UVA and UVB rays. It’s also water resistant, so your baby can splash around all she wants and the sunscreen will stay put—for up to 80 minutes. 

Sunscreen is important for all kids, regardless of skin color or type. BGS makes sure kids are safe and protected, with high end ingredients like chamomile, shea butter and jojoba oil. They’ve left out the parabens, fragrance and more, so you can feel good using BGS Kids Sunscreen on your littles; especially with water resistant SPF 50. Most important, it’s white residue free and rubs in clear.

A spray sunscreen is hard to find in mineral form, but Babo Botanicals makes one worth using. It doesn’t go on too thick or leave an unsightly white cast, but it does offer ample protection for your baby from the sun’s harmful rays without making you feel like you ran a marathon after applying it. It’s made from a vegan-friendly formula using 100 percent non-nano zinc and is free from harmful chemicals. It even got a seal of approval from the Environmental Working Group (EWG). It’s also reef-safe, since it’s made without oxybenzone.

A stick sunscreen is great for getting in those nooks and crannies, like around the eyes, ears and on your baby’s neck. This one contains a high SPF (50+) and is free of oxybenzone or octinoxate, which not only protects your little babe, but also the tiny fish swimming in the deep blue sea. It’s both sweat and water resistant and goes on easily without leaving a sticky residue that catches everything your baby comes across.

Badger products might be pricier than others, but most parents who’ve used their line of baby-friendly items can attest to the fact that they’re high-quality, made with safe ingredients and simply worth it. This mineral sunscreen is no exception. It contains an SPF of 40, is made from non-nano zinc oxide that doesn’t soak into your baby’s skin and is naturally sweat and water resistant. It’s also reef safe, which is a plus, especially for those with an eye on the environment. 

You really can’t go wrong with a baby sunscreen that contains an SPF of 50 so long as it’s mineral-based, like this one from Pipette. It’s fast-absorbing and lightweight so you don’t have to worry about a thick white cast on your baby’s skin while they’re trying to play. It’s also gentle and non-irritating thanks to a natural blend of baby-friendly ingredients (think hypoallergenic, fragrance-free and non-toxic). This sunscreen is likely to be a big hit with any older kids you may have as well as adults. 

If you’ve been shopping for your baby long enough, you’ve definitely come across this brand of mostly organic products all designed to work just as well as their non-organic counterparts without the added chemicals. True to their form, Earth Mama doesn’t disappoint with this mineral sunscreen with SPF 40. It’s both pediatrician- and dermatologist-tested, so you know it’s unlikely to cause irritation and is made using organic shea butter and calendula, which are naturally soothing on sensitive baby skin. It’s also reef-safe and never tested on animals.  

If your baby is eczema-prone, you’ll want to be extra careful when it comes to choosing any skin care products— sunscreen especially. That’s because eczema makes your baby’s skin ultra sensitive. Luckily, Aveeno’s got your back with their mineral sunscreen formulated specifically for babies with sensitive skin. It contains SPF 50 and goes on smoothly without causing itching, redness or irritation. It’s non-greasy, hypoallergenic, tear free and even scored a seal of approval from the National Eczema Association. 

Rubbing sunscreen into a wiggly, rambunctious baby eager to play in the sand is no easy feat. This roll-on sunscreen makes the process a lot more seamless. It’s 100 percent mineral-based, goes on easily and is super gentle on your baby’s sensitive skin. It’s made from a plant-based formula containing natural ingredients including zinc oxide, coconut oil and shea and cocoa butters. To use, simply shake the bottle and roll it right onto your baby’s skin ideally 15 minutes before sun exposure, reapplying every 80-120 minutes, depending on activity level. 

Most mineral sunscreens are tough to rub in, which is simply the nature of the fact that they’re designed to sit atop your skin to protect it from the sun. Anyone who’s used this KidCreme by MD Solar Sciences is left totally impressed with how smooth and easy this goes on without leaving that dreaded white cast on your baby’s skin. It goes on super dry (the dry texture is so nice!), making it easy to put on. It’s also gentle on your baby’s skin, thanks to a botanical blend of skin-soothing ingredients like green tea and pomegranate extract.

When your littles have passed the baby stage, there are plenty of new options for them to safely use— like this new line from Sun Bum Kids!

This broad-spectrum, dermatologist-tested SPF collection has a clear, water-resistant formula that can be applied to both wet and dry skin (for kids you can’t get to sit still!). It was created with Vitamin-E to help neutralize free radicals and is vegan, cruelty-free, paraben-free, and reef-safe.

As with all sunscreens, apply liberally and evenly 15 minutes before sun exposure and be sure to reapply after 80 minutes of swimming or sweating, immediately after towel drying. Pro-tip: reapply SPF at least every 2 hours.

If you want to be extra safe with babies’ skin, go for 50 SPF. This hypoallergenic formula is tear-free (hurray!) and fragrance-free, containing skin-pampering Calendula and Shea Butter. It’s reef friendly which means it’s bb friendly plus comes in 2 and 4 oz sizes so you can keep one in your diaper bag and another in the beach bag.

If you’re looking for a great on-the-go sunscreen option (maybe more for you mom than for your babes) a dry brush on SPF is brilliant. Just like a powder blush, you close your eyes and lightly brush all over your face/neck for sun protection. Check with your doctors before using this on your babes, but once your toddler is 6 mos or more, give them a full face brush before they head outside in the am. You’ll get sun coverage and MAJOR giggles each time, we promise.

(Bonus-when you’re running out, keep the brush and order a sunscreen refill.)