44 Sunscreens Later, and We’ve Found the Best 10 Ones for Kids

Pediatricians often recommend mineral sunscreen, and we love this clear zinc formula from Thinksun. “Physical (mineral) sunscreens cause less irritation to the skin than chemical sunscreens and are preferred for children older than 6 months,” explains Jasmine Waipa, MD, a Honolulu-based pediatrician and owner of Keānuenue Pediatrics.

I’ve used this sunscreen ever since my kid turned 6 months old because it offers great sun protection at SPF 50, rubs on (reasonably) clear, and is water-resistant for up to 80 minutes. It’s a thick formula, though, so it takes some elbow grease to get it off in the bath.

Something I learned quickly with my fair-skinned toddler is that applying sunscreen lotion to his face wasn’t going to end well. On multiple occasions, he squirmed so much that sunscreen ended up in his eye. Then, I learned about the magic of sunscreen sticks. These are sunscreen formulas that come in stick form, and they look somewhat like a giant glue stick. It makes application so easy. I love this one from Tubby Todd because it rubs in clear and is nongreasy.

I do wish it had a higher SPF and more product in the container. But its small size makes it great for travel. It’s guaranteed to fit in even the tightest carry-on, and its solid consistency is a clever way to get around TSA’s liquids rule. I loved it so much, I ended up buying a few more to stash in each of my diaper bags. 

As my baby grew into a toddler, I became partial to spray sunscreens. I like when I can just spritz him down, rub in the sunscreen, and keep things moving. While the convenience of spray sunscreen can’t be stated enough, I learned that aerosol sunscreens are generally not recommended for children.

“Kids can inhale the chemicals [in aerosols], which can lead to asthma exacerbation or lung irritation,” explains Jenna Wheeler, MD, a Florida-based pediatric critical care physician with Orlando Health Arnold Palmer Hospital for Children. This mist from Tubby Todd is a great solution. It has the ease of a spray but applies as a nonaerosol to the body in a thick mist.

Rubbing this in was a total breeze, and I loved that there was no white cast or residue left on the skin. However, it’s on the higher end when it comes to pricing. You’ll also want to keep in mind that the term “mist” is a bit generous. It comes out in a thicker spurt of product. It wasn’t an issue for me, but it was a bit different than I expected. 

This dermatologist-approved formula absorbs easily, doesn’t leave a white cast, and isn’t irritating to breakout-prone skin. It was created specifically for teen girls, but it can work for anyone who struggles with the dreaded sunscreen-induced breakout.

“This mineral sunscreen works like magic. It’s white as snow when you pump it out of the bottle but disappears as you rub it into your skin,” shares writer Katrina Cossey. Unfortunately, it does come at a high price point, and there isn’t a ton of product in the container. According to Cossey, it is worth every penny, though. “This is my favorite sunscreen I’ve tested so far,” she says. 

If you’re in the market for a splurge, then you’re in the right place. The Sonrei Kids Zinq SPF 60 Mineral Gel Sunscreen is a unique gel formula that’s a very light iridescent pastel purple before application and then absorbs totally clear. Aloe vera and shea butter soothe the skin, while non-nano zinc oxide offers plenty of sun protection. It’s water-resistant for up to 80 minutes, too.

“This one is really special,” says editor Nicole Bonaccorso before noting that her boys loved that the sunscreen was iridescent at first. “I also like that this goes on absolutely clear, which isn’t typical for a mineral sunscreen.” She does wish it came in a bigger bottle and admits that at around $40, it’s very pricey. But, if you have the means, we wholeheartedly encourage this sunscreen.

Whether you’re in a season of frugality or on vacation and lost your favorite sunscreen, you’ll want to have a go-to budget buy. Banana Boat’s Sheer Sensitive Sunscreen Lotion with SPF 50 is our recommendation. Though it’s a chemical formula, it’s designed for sensitive skin. Writer and editor Ashley Ziegler found it to be gentle enough for her daughter’s eczema-prone skin. “It did not irritate my 6-year-old’s skin (who has eczema), and I don’t worry about it further drying out her skin once we’re at the pool multiple times a week,” she explains.

We love that it’s a trusty go-to you can find at just about any convenience store. Heads-up: It’s not designed specifically for children, but Ziegler’s experience makes us confident it’s just as good for kiddos as it is for adults.

Water-resistant sunscreen is a great way to keep the party going, regardless of sweating and splashing. There are many water-resistant formulas out there, but we’re partial to the Blue Lizard Baby Mineral SPF 50 Sunscreen Lotion because it’s easy to apply and very affordable.

“I like that this goes on easily and rubs in more quickly than other mineral sunscreens I’ve tried,” says Bonaccorso. While it rubs in quickly, Bonaccorso notes that she can feel it on her skin long after putting it on. “It feels kind of dry and powdery to me,” she adds. But the price point, 80 minutes of water resistance, and SPF 50 more than make up for this drawback.

I really liked that there was a physical reminder of when to reapply. The downside is that the formula is very thick and rubs off on clothes. But it comes off easily in the wash and helps me stay on top of reapplying sunscreen, so it was an obvious winner as the best kids sunscreen for long days.

Another bonus? It has the National Eczema Association’s Seal of Acceptance and contains organic colloidal oatmeal, making it very soothing on even the most sensitive of skin.

A natural formula is a must-have for sensitive young skin. But natural formulas can be difficult to apply and aren’t always hypoallergenic. Fortunately, the Badger Kids Mineral Sunscreen Cream - SPF 40 is hypoallergenic, has 98 percent organic ingredients, is made with solar power, and even has a pleasant scent. It smells like vanilla and oranges but has no artificial fragrance.

“One of my children can’t have artificial fragrances on her skin, but she still loves things that smell nice,” explains Gallagher. This sunscreen’s vanilla orange scent comes from natural oils and extracts, so her daughter can safely enjoy some summery fragrance. Gallagher did admit the scent was a little strong for her taste. That said, it wasn’t irritating and simply came down to a matter of preference. 

Applying sunscreen is a learned skill. After all, it has a weird texture and can take a long time to rub in. But teaching your kiddo about sun protection is extremely important, and the Sqween SunSponge is the perfect tool to do so. The sponge applicator encourages kids to “paint” the formula on themselves, which Dennis’s daughter enjoyed. “As a mom, I loved that she was not only willing but enjoying putting sunscreen on herself, which was completely unheard of before today,” she shares.

It comes in different colors, but it can be tricky to know which color the formula is. There’s a small swatch that hints at it on the bottle and can be easily missed. Dennis also noticed the formula smelled a bit like glue. That said, it’s fun, unique, easy, and entices kids to take charge of their sun protection. What more could we ask for?