There’s a lot of talk these days about which sunscreens offer safe and effective protection for babies’ and young kids’ sensitive skin. Here’s what you need to know:
Safe Sunscreen Basics
There are two types of sunscreens: chemical and mineral. Chemical sunscreens penetrate the skin to protect from sun damage, while mineral sunscreens create a physical barrier between the sun and the skin. Mineral sunscreens, which contain zinc and/or titanium, are safest. SafeMama prefers zinc oxide, citing studies that suggest that titanium oxide is carcenogenic. Look for products with UVA protection. and an SPF of 15 or greater. Combine safe sunscreens with UPF clothing to maximize protection.
- Avoid sunscreens with oxybenzone. It’s a possible endocrine disruptor.
- Avoid sunscreens with vitamin A (retinyl palmitate). The FDA is concerned about it’s safety.
- Avoid using sunscreens on baby younger than six months of age.
So which brands pass muster? Safe baby stuff maven SafeMama has a detailed, can’t-miss list of safe sunscreens. She gives top honors to Purple Prairie Botanicals SunStuff. Two brands on the list that are fairly easy to find at stores are California Baby and Badger.
Saving on safe sunscreens
Safe sunscreens can be pricey! California Baby and other safe brands run about $6 to $10 per ounce, while traditional sunscreen brands run closer to $2 an ounce. Here are a few tips to help you save:
- Watch for safe sunscreen sales on daily deal sites like BabySteals and Mamabargains (just watch out for shipping). California baby showed up on Target’s daily deal page last week, for example.
- Check manufacturers’ websites and Facebook pages for coupon and sale announcements. You may be able to sign up for email alerts, too.
- Try calling manufacturers’ and asking for coupons.
- Keep an eye out for sales at stores like Diapers.com and Amazon.com that offer free shipping.
- Watch for site-wide or new customer coupons that allow you to take a percentage of your total purchase.
Learn More
- 2011 SafeMama Safer Sunscreen Cheat Sheet
- Best Beach and Sport Sunscreens (Environmental Working Group)
Very helpful. Thanks! Anyone know if mineral-based sunscreen can expire? I’ve heard that the chemical kind should be discarded after a year.
This is a great article – but it’s not practical. Not everyone can afford $20 for a tube of sunscreen. I want to do the best for my children but putting food on the table is going to have to come first.
I hear ya, Sarah. We can hope that as more and more parents insist on safer sunscreens, prices will come down for the rest of us.
We have used the california baby sunscreen for a long time and I absolutely love it. I use enough coupons elsewhere that I don’t mind spending the extra in order to have safe sun protection for us. We used it at disney last july and we did not burn at all, even with all the sweating.
hi. i just wanted to say that as far as “practical”…limit time in the sun and use physical barriers so that you are only using sun screen on hands, feet and face. it will make your sunscreen last longer.
any sunscreen is better than none, but you can work the best into your budget if you really want to.
I would suggest reading this article that does extensive research about ingredients including Oxybenzone. It is found in much more than sunscreens including food! It has been tested extensively, and yes, even on animals
for many years and has been proven safe. The article states “There is research showing it is not linked to estrogenic activity.” In addition, the article states EU’s usage level for oxybenzone is higher than what is permitted in the United States (10% vs. 6% maximum). Very interesting!
http://www.cosmeticscop.com/cosmetic-ingredient-dictionary/definition/1040/oxybenzone.aspx
I prefer the traditional chemical sunscreens for my sensitive skin when I can find them. However, my favorite sunscreen is Neutrogena which does including Oxybenzone and avobenzone and they keep me from burning. So it is hard for me to put down Oxybenzone since it does work.