15 Best Sunscreen for Babies & Kids (Including One For Eczema) In 2024
Some sunscreens can cause skin irritation to your little one. Yikes
By Terri Kue -
In perpetually sunny Singapore, it's important for us to keep lathered up with sunscreen whether we're indoors or outside – and the same goes for babies. But given their heightened, sensitive skin, it's not as simple as using whatever you have on hand and lathering them up. There are many things to consider: what is the right age to start using sunscreen on children? What are the potential health risks? What ingredients should you be looking for and staying away from?
For all mums who are looking for answers to these questions, we reached out to Dr Uma Alagappan, a paediatric dermatologist at Dermatology & Surgery Clinic to find out more about how to protect your children from the sun and keep them safe.
According to Dr Uma, "The American Academy of Dermatology recommends we minimise sunscreen use on children who are below six months of age, due to the possible toxicity and allergenic properties of sunscreens."
Infants and little ones below six months old have skin that is "very thin and not fully developed", so there is a higher risk of skin irritation and allergies from any ingredients in the sunscreen.
In fact, baby skin is so delicate that sunscreen alone cannot provide enough protection from harmful UV rays. Instead of using sunscreen. Dr Uma recommends keeping babies in the shade, avoiding the sun, and using "sun-protective clothing or shades" over sunscreen.
When it comes to sunscreens, it's all in the ingredients. Dr Uma shares that certain ingredients found in chemical sunscreens can be absorbed into the bloodstream. If absorbed in large amounts, they may “disrupt the endocrine system and affect the hormones.”
Children, in particular, are vulnerable to these ingredients.
Preservatives in sunscreens can also be an issue as they can cause an allergic reaction or skin irritation.
Dr Uma notes that, "children with eczema or sensitive skin tend to get reactions with the use of these sunscreens," so if your child has eczema, you need to be extra careful.
When it comes to the sunscreen format, you can choose sunscreen lotions, gels, creams or aerosol sprays. Dr Uma shares that "creams are better than sprays, gels or lotions as the coverage and protection is better. Sprays should be avoided for children as studies have shown that the sunscreen ingredients can be inhaled into their lungs and cause irritation."
When it comes to sunscreens, Dr Uma is more concerned about the contents of the sunscreen. There are two main types of sunscreen available: chemical and mineral. For children, Dr Uma strongly recommends mineral sunscreens over chemical ones.
"Chemical sunscreens protect the skin by absorbing UV rays and scattering them. These sunscreens are easier to apply and do not leave a whitish coat." This makes chemical sunscreens especially popular amongst women as they can be worn under your makeup.
"Recent studies have shown the absorption of some of the chemical sunscreen ingredients into the bloodstream. Thus, children and especially babies should definitely avoid it."
Also known as physical sunscreens, these sunscreens contain finely ground minerals - like zinc - that "sit in a layer on top of the skin and act as a barrier to UV rays by deflecting the rays". Unlike chemical sunscreens, mineral sunscreens leave a whitish film on your skin after application. Remember the white zinc sunscreen surfers used to wear on their noses? That's a mineral sunscreen.
Mineral sunscreens are not absorbed into the blood and they tend to be more water and sweat resistant, which is why surfers and swimmers often still wear white or coloured zinc sunscreens.
Some sunscreen ingredients are better than others. Dr Uma shares this list so you know more about what you're buying:
Ingredients to avoid in children's sunscreens
Oxybenzone – this ingredient can cause allergies, and can potentially disrupt hormone levels, especially in children, when absorbed into the bloodstream. Dr Uma says, "Due to mounting evidence in numerous studies, this ingredient has been flagged up by both European Commission and US-based Food and Drug Administration."
Para-aminobenzoic acid (PABA), parabens, and trolamine salicylate – these ingredients can cause skin allergies and irritation in children. While Dr Uma notes that, "most of the currently available products are free of these chemicals", she reminds mums to "check the ingredient list before purchase".
Safe ingredients for children's sunscreens:
Titanium dioxide and zinc oxide - These mineral sunscreen ingredients act as a physical shield on skin and "will help to deflect the sun rays instead of absorbing them." They are also "less likely to cause irritation to the skin".
To check if you've got a mineral or physical sunscreen, see if it leaves a whitish film on your skin after you use it? If it does, it's more likely to be a mineral or physical sunscreen.
Dr Uma explains you should be looking for a "broad-spectrum" sunscreen that is at least SPF 30. Here's why:
SPF stand for Sun Protection Factor. "SPF 30 has been shown to block out 97 per cent of the UVB rays."
UVB rays are the Burning rays that make your skin go red and dark (think UVB for Burn). But the sun's UVA is equally as harmful to the skin. They are the rays that damage the skin's base layers, causing wrinkles and dark spots (Think UVA for Ageing).
A broad-spectrum sunscreen contains ingredients to protect against both UVB and UVA rays.
If your child is playing sports or running around outside for a long time, Dr Uma recommends sunscreen with an SPF50. Why not go higher? Contrary to popular belief, an "SPF factor higher than 50 provides minimal additional benefit.
For children who love to play in the water, you also need a sunscreen that is water-resistant and sweat-resistant. But Dr Uma stresses that "no sunscreen can filter out 100 per cent of the sun’s rays. That’s why it’s important to also seek shade and wear sun-protective clothing — such as a lightweight and long-sleeved shirt, pants, a wide-brimmed hat, and sunglasses with UV protection."
Dr Uma shares how to make sure your children are properly protected against the sun's rays.
"Apply the sunscreen 15 mins before exposure to the sun." - it takes a while to set into the skin, and provide protection.
Use the proper amount of sunscreen. "Most people do not use sufficient amounts of sunscreens. To get the sun protections stated on the bottle, you need to apply two milligrams of sunscreens per square centimetre of skin. A rough guide is to squeeze out sunscreen over your two fingers. That's enough sunscreen to cover one body part, such as the face and neck, one arm, one thigh, or one lower leg
"Reapply sunscreen every two hours or earlier if the child sweats. Use water-resistant physical sunscreen if the child is getting into the water. Re-apply sunscreen after 40-60 mins in the water, or after towelling off."
Don't forget to apply sunscreen over your child's ears, hands, feet, shoulders, and behind the neck. For older children, lift up bathing suit straps and apply sunscreen underneath them, in case the straps shift as a child plays."
Protect their lips with SPF 30 lip balm.
Favoured in global countries where UV rays are ultra-high, Sun Bum Kids is perfect for little ones who love hanging outdoors all day long. With a high SPF 50, the broad spectrum UVA/UVB sunscreen suits both dry or wet applications.
Parents especially love that it’s water-resistant (allow 15 minutes for it to fully soak into the skin), as well as its easy-to-use stick applicator. Plus, it’s dermatologist-tested and approved. Eco Warriors; the reef-friendly sunscreen is free from Octinoxate, Oxybenzone and parabens and devoid of synthetic fragrances for sensitive skin.
Vegan (no animal or animal-derived ingredients used)? Yes.
Specifically formulated and tested for babies under paediatric control guidelines, La Roche’s baby lotion with an SPF50+ acts as an excellent general everyday protector for your infant’s delicate skin (applied to the face and body).
The above-average UVB and UVA status equals extra strength, and it was created as a hypoallergenic cream for atopic-prone skin, i.e., those that suffer from eczema. Parents of children with hyper-sensitive skin have never looked back after using this brand. Shea butter adds extra nourishment and it’s easily absorbable in minutes.
Vegan (no animal or animal-derived ingredients used)? No.
Packed full of Vitamin E and Pro-Vitamin B5, and is manufactured using liposome vitamins for faster absorption (and the liposomal formula also means a non-greasy sunscreen that doesn’t block pores), Cetaphil not only protects your child’s skin from UVA and UVB rays but hydrates for 24 hours. A two-in-one.
Created for youngsters with sensitive skin, it’s the ‘No.1 brand recommended by Dermatologists in Singapore.’ Listed on its bottle as “very water-resistant,” online parents can’t stop commenting on how great it is for swimming lessons and is very waterproof.
Vegan (no animal or animal-derived ingredients used)? No.
This mineral sunscreen uses both zinc and titanium dioxide, the latter being one of the ingredients Dr Uma recommended. It is also SPF 30 PA+++ and covers against both UVA and UVB rays. It also contains ingredients to help keep your baby's skin moisturised.
Vegan (no animal or animal-derived ingredients used)? No.
Say goodbye to tears, itchy skin and other sensitivities with Banana Boat’s oxybenzone, paraben, oil and fragrance-free formula. Manufactured using natural, gentle minerals, it’s able to do the job of full UVA/UVB protection, but using 25% less ingredients than most sunscreens.
This light water-resistant spray is easy to apply and doesn’t leave any excess white casting on the skin like heavy sun lotions tend to do. Boasting a PA++++, rest assured you’re protected by the highest coverage against UV rays.
Vegan (no animal or animal-derived ingredients used)? No.
Searching for an affordable, environmentally-friendly suncare brand? Cruelty-free (not tested on animals and also Leaping Bunny Certified), reef-safe and using biodegradable plant-based ingredients (certified by Hain Celestial), it ticks all the boxes in living up to its all-natural vibes.
Combining chamomile and calendula extracts, the broad spectrum sunscreen is hypoallergenic, and no Oxybenzone, Octinoxate, gluten or parabens have gone into its manufacturing.
Vegan (no animal or animal-derived ingredients used)? Yes.
The Biore UV Kids Pure Milk SPF50+ PA+++, a winner of our 2023 Best Beauty Buys awards for the Best Sunscreen for Kids, is a pure mineral sunscreen that provides adequate protection from harmful UV rays while being gentle on their delicate skin.
It's free from parabens, alcohol, fragrance and colourants, so there's no worrying about any harmful chemicals or potential irritation. Suitable for children aged two and up, the formula is also gentle enough for those with sensitive skin. Formulated with Biore’s unique outer skin technology, the sunscreen creates a thin and even UV protection film that is lightweight, non-tacky and creates a second-skin-like feel, making it comfortable to wear even for prolonged periods.
Vegan (no animal or animal-derived ingredients used)? No.
This mineral sunscreen is an SPF 50, broad-spectrum, and water-resistant sunscreen. It uses non-nano zinc oxide, another ingredient Dr Uma recommended. Non-nano means that the zinc oxide particles aren't small enough to enter the skin, so they cannot be absorbed into the bloodstream.
The very same Babo Botanicals SPF50 Mineral Sunscreen comes in a stick ($22.63) for the fidgety and restless ones. Stick sunscreens generally tend to be easier to apply, and reduce the risk of accidentally smearing sunscreen creams into the eye (or mouth!). If your toddler is learning to be independent, you could entrust the little one with this sunscreen stick for self-application too.
Vegan (no animal or animal-derived ingredients used)? Yes.
This sunscreen is dermatologically tested and includes titanium dioxide. Resistant to water and sand, it also protects against both UVA and UVB rays. It also uses a patented ingredient, avocado Perseose®, which is designed to strengthen the skin's natural barrier function, to help it protect itself from UV rays.
Vegan (no animal or animal-derived ingredients used)? No.
Another baby sunscreen with the child-safer key ingredient zinc oxide, the Thinkbaby SPF50 sunscreen has over 16,100 five-star reviews on iHerb. Most users shared that the cream leaves a white cast which slowly fades off after a couple of minutes – not a problem for cute little kids trotting under the sun.
Otherwise, Thinkbaby’s sunscreen has been praised by users for its compatibility with sensitive skin. Both the sunscreen cream itself and the soft scent don’t irritate the skin or eyes. Also, it seems like a very spreadable sunscreen. Value for money!
Again, the same formula comes in a stick version ($17.45) for easier application. Imagine all that sand stuck to your creamy hands!
Vegan (no animal or animal-derived ingredients used)? Yes.
One more for the iHerb members before we move on to Amazon. Here’s a fragrance-free mineral sunscreen by Eucerin Baby. The key ingredient here is the mineral sunscreen zinc oxide, and reviewers have used it both on their children and themselves (pregnant and acne-prone moms).
Downsides include the price and white cast the sunscreen leaves. While some reviewers have deemed the texture oily, some said it wasn’t greasy at all. This seems like an all-rounded family sunscreen for fuss-free families.
Vegan (no animal or animal-derived ingredients used)? No.
Another recognised brand in the realm of baby suncare includes the no-frills, sustainable-looking clean baby skincare brand, Pipette. Founded in 2019, the US-based brand pivots around an antioxidant and moisturising ingredient called Squalane that’s extracted from sugarcane.
Key ingredient in this sunscreen is the mineral sunblock, zinc oxide. Judging from the reviews, most of the users were adults who were in need of a baby sunscreen to suit their sensitive skin.
Reviews are largely divided about the texture and white cast – some said the formula was exceptionally greasy, while some deemed it silky and sheer.
Vegan (no animal or animal-derived ingredients used)? Yes.
Known for their soothing oat skincare products, Aveeno Baby actually stocks mineral sunscreens (zinc oxide) overseas. You won’t find this in the local Aveeno offerings, but this lilac-coloured series of Aveeno Baby sunscreens is suitable for sensitive skin types.
Online users praised the sunscreen’s formula for being gentle, non-irritating for eczema, rosacea, and allergy-friendly. However, the sunscreen tends to dry up and may flake or peel – which may not be suitable if your child has dry skin.
The same formula is found in a stick version ($14.84) instead.
Vegan (no animal or animal-derived ingredients used)? No.
Formulated by the New York-based diaper brand, Babyganics can be found in drugstores such as Target, and CVS. Babyganics is present in Singapore with its own website, and you can find them on Amazon Singapore as well.
The Babyganics SPF 50 mineral sunscreen contains physical sunscreen ingredients zinc oxide and titanium dioxide. Reviewers online deemed it value-for-money, adult-friendly, suitable for sensitive skin types, and easy to apply.
Vegan (no animal or animal-derived ingredients used)? No.
Out of the seven sunscreen options in Blue Lizard’s product range, only the Blue Lizard Baby Mineral Sunscreen SPF50 is suitable for babies above 6 months. To help parents out, Blue Lizard designed a bottle cap that turns pink in the presence of harmful UV rays – a reminder to hurry and slather sunscreen on your child!
Key ingredients are mineral sunblocks, titanium dioxide and zinc oxide.
The Blue Lizard baby mineral sunscreen SPF 50 comes in a stick version as well ($18.95).
Vegan (no animal or animal-derived ingredients used)? Yes.
Dealing with white casts in sunscreen? Try changing the way you apply sunscreen. I used to dab it all over my face like I would with concealer before spreading it, which often left me with a glaring white cast.
A beauty advisor once told me that I was doing it all wrong. You should dispense the sunscreen into your palms, and rub it around to warm it up. Then pat it into your face like you would with an aromatherapy face oil.
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