5 Rules for Choosing Sunscreen for Babies and Toddlers

Use mineral sunscreen for babies under six months Mineral sunscreens with zinc oxide or titanium dioxide sit on top of the skin and reflect UV rays. Chemical sunscreens absorb into the bloodstream, and the FDA says there isn’t enough data on their safety for infants under six months.

Wait until six months to consider chemical sunscreen For toddlers over six months, chemical sunscreen is probably fine, but mineral is still the safer bet. Stick with mineral if you want to avoid unnecessary risk.

Choose stick formulas for faces Stick sunscreens don’t get all over your hands and are easier to apply on a wiggly child. Lotion formulas with high zinc percentage also work well.

Avoid spray sunscreens for kids Sprays are mostly aerosolized perfume and rarely get applied evenly. They give a false sense of coverage.

Reapply every two hours, or more often in water Reapplication matters more than the brand. Any name brand with SPF 30+ is fine as long as you reapply on schedule.