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Sun protection beyond the shades

10 Safe Sunscreens For Kids (Including Some You Can Find at Your Drugstore)

Repost from PopSugar
Written by Rebecca Gruber

Slather on the lotion! If you thought the breast vs. bottle debate was polarizing, wait until you talk to fellow playground moms about sunscreen for children. Though lotions and sticks protect little ones' skin from cancer-causing UVA and UVB rays, doctors advise new mamas to use physical barriers — SPF clothing, umbrellas, and shades (like our ro•sham•bo sunglasses!) — rather than lotions on babies younger than 6 months old.

Once tots reach the 6-month mark, though, we need to keep them protected from the sun without harming them in other ways. The Environmental Working Group's recommendations for the best sunscreens for tots — products that do not contain potential hormone disruptors — is considered the definitive list of safe options. According to EWG Senior Scientist David Andrews, it's inactive ingredients like retinyl palmitate (vitamin A) and oxybenzone that parents need to look out for. "By and large, the ones that do well in our database are the ones that are mineral-based products with a higher percent of zinc oxide, as well as some of the products with titanium dioxide," he said.

While parents have been getting the message about switching from chemical sunscreens for children to mineral versions, one of the group's biggest concerns is how parents are using them. "[Consumers] are looking to buy higher and higher SPF values," Andrews said. "When people use higher SPF values, we're concerned that it leads to a change in behavior and an increased time in the sun and that you apply less of it. Those products may not be as effective in blocking both UVA and UVB radiation. So we steer consumers toward SPF 30 to SPF 50 products and lower and we really think those are the sweet spot of the products that are available in the marketplace."

He went on to explain, "The active ingredients in SPF 30 and SPF 100 products may be quite similar. So we're going to be doing more over the course of the next year, investigating the inactive ingredients like the antioxidants and anti-inflammatories that may be reducing redness in the skin, but may not be reducing how much hits your skin. The way the SPF test is done is in changes in skin redness."

So what's a parent to do when trying to choose a safe sunscreen for children? First, check the EWG's site and app for a list of the safest and least safe options for your family. If you don't have that at your fingertips, Andrews recommends:

  1. Steering away from SPF products over 50. SPF 30-50 products depending on the situation are OK.
  2. Seek out products that use three percent avobenzone if they are chemical sunscreens or the ones that use zinc oxide as the active ingredient in natural versions. "[They] do the best job of filtering out UVA radiation across the spectrum of UVA radiation. Seek out products that use a higher percentage of zinc oxide — typically you'll find 15 to 20 percent, or three percent avobenzone."
  3. Look at inactive ingredients on the label. If possible, avoid products that use retinyl palmitate (vitamin A) and avoid products using oxybenzone.
  4. Avoid spray products — they're convenient but not the best choice. Why skip the convenience of spray lotions? "You don't get a uniform coating on the skin," Andrews says. Plus, "Given the concern about the ingredients in these products, we really don't want to coat the inside of our lungs with sunscreen."

Read through to see these 10 safe sunscreens for kids (many of which can be found at your local drugstore — not just at specialty stores).

 

1. Drugstore Find: Aveeno Baby Natural Protection Mineral Block Face Stick, SPF 50

One of the highest-rated drugstore brand sunscreens on the market, Aveeno Baby Natural Protection Mineral Block Face Stick ($10) is a mineral-based sunscreen using both zinc oxide and titanium dioxide to block the sun's rays. Plus, in stick form, it's easy to apply to squirmy tots and it fits nicely inside a diaper bag.

 

2. Amazon Find: Adorable Baby Sunscreen Lotion, SPF 30+

Adorable Baby's zinc-oxide-based Sunscreen Lotion, SPF 30+ ($19) does not use any synthetic ingredients. The formula earns high UVA protection and balance of UVA protection in relation to the SPF on the EWG list.

 

3. Drugstore Find: California Baby Super Sensitive Sunscreen, SPF 30+

California Baby continues to manufacture safe and effective baby products that won't harm your tots. Its California Baby Super Sensitive Sunscreen, SPF 30+ ($21) is one of the highest rated on the EWG's annual list, due to its 12 percent titanium dioxide formula.

 

4. Sephora (and Online) Find: Hampton Sun Sunscreen Lotion For Baby, SPF 45

A favorite brand of jet-setting moms, Hampton Sun is now gracing the bodies of their little ones thanks to its Hampton Sun Sunscreen Lotion For Baby, SPF 45 ($28). A zinc- (12 percent) and titanium- (six percent) based formula, Hampton Sun's baby lotion receives a high EWG rating due to its good UVA protection and its balance of UVA protection in relation to the SPF.

 

5. Health Food Store Find: Badger Kids Sunscreen Cream, SPF 30

One of the highest-rated sunscreens on the EWG list (it has a low health concern), Badger'sKids Sunscreen Cream ($16) is certified natural, using zinc oxide (18.75 percent) as a blocker and sunflower oil as its base for easy application.

 

6. Thinksport Kid's Safe Sunscreen SPF 50+

Thinkbaby, which was already known for its popular bottles and sippy cups, just received an extremely high rating from the EWG for its Thinksport Kid's Safe Sunscreen SPF 50+ ($10). The zinc-oxide-based sun blocker does not contain any nanoparticles, making it safe for babies and big kids alike.

 

7. Amazon Find: Sunology Natural Sunscreen, Kids, SPF 50

A natural, chemical-free sunscreen, Sunology Natural Sunscreen, Kids, SPF 50 ($15) uses a mixture of titanium dioxide (7.5 percent) and zinc oxide (10 percent) to keep skin safe. Thehighly rated lotion is available in a travel size for families on the go.

 

8. Baby Store Find: Blue Lizard Australian Baby Sunscreen SPF 30+

Blue Lizard's Australian Baby Sunscreen SPF 30+ ($19) is made specifically for kids' sensitive skin and uses zinc oxide (10 percent) and titanium oxide (five percent) for sun blockage. It received the EWG's good rating for its UVA protection.

 

9. Baby Store Find: TruKid Sunny Days Sport Sunscreen, SPF 30+

TruKid Sunny Days Mineral All Natural Sunscreen ($19) is quickly becoming a favorite of parents and kids alike. The mineral-based lotion, which uses zinc oxide as its sunblock,received the EWG's highest rating for its nontoxic, nonnano, and gluten-free formula.

 

10. Costco Find: The Honest Company Honest Mineral Sunscreen, SPF 50+

After a misstep last year, The Honest Company is back with a new sunscreen that not only makes the grade with consumers, but is earning high ratings from the EWG. Their new Honest Mineral Sunscreen, SPF 50+ ($14) is a zinc oxide-based product (19 percent) that provides excellent UVA protection and reportedly has better spreadability than the company's previous iteration.

 

And for what you can't protect with sunscreen, protect with our 100% UVA/B/C baby, junior, and adult sunglasses for the whole family! 

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