To make this list, I compared the lowest hazard sunscreens for kids and babies (hazard ranking of 1) on EWG’s 2012 Safe Suncreen list with picks from SafeMama’s Safe Sunscreen 2011 cheat sheet. To find sunscreens practical for the busy, cost-conscious family, I then took into account product availability and price per ounce.
The sunscreens that made the cut are under $5.50 per ounce and can easily be found online at major retailers. They’re still pricy, though, considering that the cost of traditional baby sunscreens runs under $3/oz. Here are a few tips to save even more:
Safe Sunscreen Savings Tips
- Watch for safe sunscreen sales on daily deal sites like BabySteals and Mamabargains (just watch out for shipping).
- 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.
The List
Find out more about whether the sunscreens below are right for your family at EWG’s 2012 Safe Suncreen list and SafeMama’s Safe Sunscreen 2011 cheat sheet. Keep in mind that some sunscreens listed on the safe sunscreen lists may be fine for babies and young kids even though they’re not specifically “baby” or “kid” sunscreens. Check the EWG and Safemama lists for more options.
Badger Baby Sunscreen, Chamomile & Calendula, SPF 30+ ($4.61/oz.)
Seventh Generation Baby Sunscreen, SPF 30 ($4.66/oz.)
Goddess Garden Baby Natural Sunscreen, SPF 30 ($3.68/oz.)
Loving Naturals Adorable Baby Clear Baby Sunscreen, SPF 30+ ($5.11/oz.)
Eco Logical Skin Care Baby All Natural Sunscreen, SPF 30+ ($5/oz.)
TruKid Sunny Days Sport Sunscreen, Unscented ($5.43/oz.)
Sunology Natural Sunblock Creme for Kids, SPF 50 ($4.33/oz.)
Thinksport Kids Sunscreen Benefiting Livestrong, SPF 50+ ($5.31/oz)
Thinkbaby Sunscreen Benefiting Livestrong, SPF 50+ ($5.33/oz).
If you got the per ounce price for the Badger Baby Sunscreen from Amazon, it is incorrect. $14.16/2.9 oz = $4.88 per oz, not $2.95 as the website indicates.
It was right, but it looks like they just sold out of the lower priced option. I’ll see if I can find another deal. Thanks!
Yeah I was wondering about that….
We have used the Badger Baby and really love it. It’s a little thinner/more lotiony than a lot of other sunscreens and is therefore so easy to slather on a squirmy baby/toddler.
So is it in order of the safest/ best?
I got the Badger one this past week and it’s decent but not smooth to apply. It left my kids with powder white faces for an hour too, as toddlers won’t sit long enough for me to massage it all in. Does anyone know if one of these listed is easier to apply?
No. Not in order.
No, not in order.
What about babyganics?
Babyganics sunscreens included on the EWG list received a 2 hazard score rather than a 1, so I didn’t include them here.
Not a 1, but we have had great luck with the Neutrogena baby stick on faces (along with long sleeve rash guards). I just checked at it is a 3.
I love Smart Girls Who Surf. Its another all-natural and reef friendly one, and it goes on and stays on so much better than some of the others. For some reason its not in the EWG database, but its pretty great.
We got the Badger ones. They go on ok but they smell awful.
Yes until these we were used to the unsafe scented ones, but my kids hate the smell and if they fight getting it on they won’t reapply it.
I am going to try some of the others listed
We love thinkbaby. My son never burns and he doesn’t have that white face. He can tend to be a little shiny but who cares. I buy it on amazon and have prime shipping.
What about Little Twig?