Thinkbaby Sunscreen Baby SPF 50+, 3 fl oz

Product Information

One important thing to keep in mind is that Pipette is the only sunscreen on our list that isn't water-resistant. Because of this, you'll need to use a water-resistant option if your little one will be spending time in the pool or ocean. All of the sunscreens on this list meet the AAP's recommendations: they're broad-spectrum, have a sun protection factor (SPF) of at least 15 (up to SPF 50), and do not contain the ingredient oxybenzone. Additionally, since parents generally prefer mineral sunscreens for young children, the active ingredient in all these sunscreens is either zinc oxide, titanium dioxide, or both.

Many baby sunscreens come in 3-ounce bottles, but Coppertone Water Babies Sunscreen Lotion SPF 50 comes in a 6-ounce bottle for the same price as other baby mineral sunscreens. It has a gentle, hypoallergenic formula and goes on smooth, so you won’t spend extra time trying to spread it on your baby's body. This sunscreen is also water resistant for up to 80 minutes, allowing you more time to play with your child. The formula is free of synthetic fragrance, phthalates, parabens, oxybenzone and octinoxate, so you can feel good about putting it on your little one for a price that won't break the bank. This sunscreen is a traditional cream formula and is free of PABA, phthalates, parabens, fragrance, and nanoparticles. It’s also tear-free, offers 80-minute water resistance, and is full of natural ingredients like tomato, sunflower, cranberry, and raspberry seed oils.

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Highest level of water resistance (80 minutes) (Highest level defined by proposed FDA 2012 Monograph) You should apply sunscreen whenever your child's outside for any length of time, and reapply every two hours, or after activities like swimming. Vladyslava Doktor, M.D., and owner of Skin Center Boston Opens a new window says this is especially critical during the sun's strongest hours, between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. Sanober Pezad Doctor, M.D. Opens a new window, who specializes in integrative and holistic dermatology, agrees and adds that sunscreen is important to wear if a child's out in the mid-afternoon sun for longer than 10 minutes. If, however, they will be outside briefly, she says "letting your child play without the use of sunscreen is absolutely fine." Yes, you can apply sunscreen to babies younger than 6 months old, but you'll want to use it in minimal quantities. As mentioned previously, the AAP recommends that you only use sunscreen on small areas of their body, like your little one's face or the tops of their hands and feet. In general, keep babies under 6 months out of the sun and use protective lightweight clothing to cover their skin, including long sleeve shirts, pants and hats. Additionally, you want to avoid putting sunscreen on parts of her body that baby often puts in her mouth.Ingredients. When it comes to weighing mineral versus chemical sunscreens, mineral is your best bet for sensitive skin. These types of sunscreen contain either titanium dioxide or zinc oxide as the active ingredient which are both less likely to irritate skin. They're also recognized by the FDA as generally safe and effective, unlike ingredients in chemical sunscreens that haven't yet received approval by the agency. Plus, mineral sunscreen isn't absorbed into the skin like chemical sunscreen because it sits on the surface of your skin.