Best Kid's Sunscreen 2017
Summer is now in full swing, with that in mind let's take a look at some of this year's best-rated sunscreens for babies and children.
The EWG has put out their 2017 list of top-rated sunscreens specifically for babies and kids.
Adorable Baby Sunscreen Lotion, SPF 30+
All Good Kid’s Sunscreen, SPF 30
All Terrain KidSport Sunscreen Lotion, SPF 30
Aveeno Baby Continuous Protection Sensitive Skin Lotion Sunscreen, SPF 50
Babytime! by Episencial Sunny Sunscreen, SPF 35
Badger Baby Sunscreen Cream, SPF 30
Bare Republic Baby Mineral Sunscreen Lotion, SPF 50
Blue Lizard Australian Sunscreen Baby, SPF 30+
BurnOut KIDS Sunscreen, SPF 35
California Baby Super Sensitive Sunscreen, SPF 30+
Caribbean Sol Sol Kid Kare, SPF 30
Goddess Garden Organics Baby Natural Sunscreen Lotion, SPF 30
Kiss My Face Organics Kids Sunscreen, SPF 30
Neutrogena Pure & Free Baby Sunscreen, SPF 50
Sunology Natural Sunscreen Kids, SPF 50
Sunumbra Sunkids Natural Sunscreen, SPF 40
ThinkSport Kids Sunscreen, SPF 50+
Tom’s of Maine Baby Sunscreen Lotion, SPF 30
TruKid Sunny Days Sport Sunscreen, SPF 30
The efficacy of products with SPF over 30 has been called into question by skin care and cancer experts alike. Anything over SPF 30 is likely a waste, and potentially harmful. SPF 30 blocks 97% of the sun's UVB rays. Even if you could get 99%, which some claim with SPF 100, the gain is practically irrelevant. The issue is in how we think about the larger number, higher SPFs do not last longer than lower SPFs, unfortunately this is lost on most people. When we put on a sunscreens with a higher SPF we tend to feel like we're more protected than we actually are. -This is made even worse when you concider that you likely didn't even apply enough sunscreen in the first place- Remember, there is no sunscreen that allows for prolonged exposure to direct sunlight. Regardless, The America Academy of Dermatology recommends using an SPF of at least 30. The problem, though, is the psychology of the larger number
The important thing to remember is that too many people don't apply enough sunscreen, and no matter how good your sunscreen or how high the SPF it won't work if you don't use it properly.
Here are a few things to help keep your kids safe:
- SPF of at least 30
- Water resistant (no sunscreen is truly water resistant)
- Broad spectrum protection
- Look for sunscreens with either titanium dioxide or zinc oxide
- Apply enough sunscreen (follow instructions on bottle closely)
- Ovoid spray sunscreens as they make it extremely difficult to apply enough for adequate protection
- Apply sunscreen every 2 hours
- Don't forget to protect your lips! Use lip balm with sunscreen of SPF 30 or higher
- Reflective surfaces like water and sand increase your exposure to harmful rays
- Babies under 6 months old should not be exposed to the sun's rays unnecessarily
- Avoid being in the sun from 10am-3pm when harmful rays are strongest (this is a difficult one, I know)
An estimated 1 in 5 Americans will get skin cancer, and preventable skin cancer kills thousands of people each year. Please, protect yourself and protect your children.