Easily one of the most grueling tasks of parenthood is applying sunscreen—it typically involves wrestling a squirming child and getting an elbow to your face. And we have to do it roughly every 90 minutes on sunny days!
The FDA found stating that certain sunscreen chemicals can enter the bloodstream after just 24 hours. Yikes. Ingredients we want to avoid: Oxybenzone (this one is responsible for bleaching coral reefs!), avobenzone, octocrylene and ecamsule. More to know: The FDA is currently undergoing a major sunscreen re-evaluation, but, it has declared two minerals to be safe—zinc oxide and titanium dioxide.
Dr. Joshua Zeichner, a dermatologist in New York City, says that mineral sunscreen can be a better option for kids and babies. "[Their skin] is much more sensitive than that of adults. So we have to be extra careful in what sunscreens we apply on them. Mineral sunscreens are less likely to cause skin irritation or allergies as compared to chemical UV blockers. Plus, mineral blockers like zinc oxide, actually have skin-soothing benefits, which is why it is the main ingredient used in diaper creams.
So, we tested tons and tons of mineral sunscreens comprising zinc oxide and titanium dioxide and came up with a list of our nine favorites. In addition to them being safe, it was also hugely important to us for our picks to be moisturizing and easy to apply. Because there's nothing worse than lathering on a sunscreen that feels like glue and leaves a thick white residue, right? Well, actually, super oily sunscreens are pretty awful, too. Rest assured, our picks are just right.
Check out our favorite mineral sunscreens below:
Bare Republic baby soft stick
Why it's our fave: Bare Republic's line of mineral sunscreens checks all the boxes and then some. They're reef-friendly, free of all the nasties like phthalates and parabens, and packed with safe and natural ingredients that feel amazing on the skin. But the standout of the bunch? The Baby Soft Stick. The formula features non-nano zinc oxide, vitamin E, cottonseed and chamomile extract to help soften and soothe skin and can last up to 80 minutes in the water. It's not at all greasy and leaves an almost powdery finish that is totally fragrance-free.
But what sets this little miracle apart is the applicator. Designed to glide across baby's skin without tugging or pulling, it features a spongy top with holes to evenly distribute the lotion, almost like deodorant, but better. In fact, your little one might actually enjoy the process for once. (However, we guarantee nothing.)
Mustela mineral sunscreen stick
Why it's our fave: Mamas of kiddos with eczema may know Mustela for their sensitive skincare products for babies and kids, but did you know they have a sunscreen line as well? Their newest product, a SPF 50 sunscreen stick, is formulated with sensitive skin in mind. They are both broad-spectrum and non-nano mineral sunscreens that have received National Science Foundation (NSF) and National Eczema Association (NEA) seals. We can attest that Mustela's new sunscreen stick goes on smooth and clear and dare we say, easy to apply to a wiggling toddler and baby? Bonus: Mustela is a B-Corp and they're committed to sustainability: all containers are recyclable, they use 100% green electricity in the production process and they're aiming to go carbon-neutral by 2030.
Attitude baby + kids moisturizer mineral sunscreen
Why it's our fave: Admittedly, we came for the packaging but stayed for the formula. (I mean, look at that adorable sun. How could it not make you want to try?) For starters, it has the most kid-pleasing vanilla-esque scent which means far less grumbling when it's time to slather up.
We also appreciate that it goes on clear, isn't greasy and hits all the right marks when it comes to safe efficacy. Non-nano zinc oxide to protect against UVA/UVB rays? Check. All-natural ingredients that pamper baby's skin? Check. Reef safe formula to protect the environment? Check. What more could you want?
Hello Bello mineral sunscreen
Why it's our fave: If you're thinking you're priced out of mineral sunscreens—and we understand why, the cost of some of our faves are tough to swallow, especially if you have multiple kids—fear not, because Hello Bello is the answer.
From Hollywood A-listers Kristen Bell and Dax Shepherd, Hello Bello is an organic, affordable line of baby products that includes a Mineral Sunscreen. Let's just say we were prepared to be unimpressed with this product…and then we used it for a week straight on our kids. Non-greasy and delicious-smelling, it rubs on easily (no residue!) and has the broad-spectrum protection we need. And it's the cheapest option on our list!
Hot tip: We love their mineral sunscreen stick, for easy application for faces and top of the ears.
Baby Bum sunscreen spray
Why it's our fave: The plant-based formula has a blend of coconut oil and shea butter so it'll leave the kiddos with super-soft skin, even after a day out in the sun. This is is specifically formulated for your little ones and is water-resistant up to 80 minutes. It's not greasy and the spray means you can lather down even the squirmiest child.
It's SPF 50 and works great for the face and body, making it a great one to just toss in your bag for broad-spectrum protection all summer long.
Thinkbaby
Why it's our fave: The people have spoken, and they've crowned Thinkbaby as their favorite. We have to agree with the 5,000+ Amazon reviewers who have made this sunscreen a bestseller for the retailer. Thinkbaby consistently scores high with the EWG (Environment Working Group) and it was the first sunscreen to pass Whole Foods Premium Care requirements.
Created with safety for families in mind and made in the USA, the brand also offers a mineral-based kids sport sunscreen with SPF 50 and a regular sport SPF 50. And after testing all of them on our families, we can say the proof is in the pudding… er, broad-spectrum sunscreen. We loved the citrus-y smell and the fact that it glides on baby and adult skin alike. At this price point, it's worth stocking up on.
bioClarity SunShady
Why it's our fave: This natural mineral sunscreen is practically skincare. It goes on super smooth, coming out of the bottle with a greenish-blue tint—it's very liquid-like so it's easy to spread around easily (a little goes a long way!). It uses 100% mineral zinc oxide to protect skin from everything from UV rays to blue light and environmental stressors.
We love that it's plant-based (it has jojoba in it!) and that it absorbs quickly so you don't have any leftover residue. This one for the body is SPF 30, but they also have a face-specific one that is designed for blemish-prone skin.
Supergoop! Play! mineral sunscreen mist
Why it's our fave: If you're looking to make SPF a lifestyle and not just a beach-day application, Supergoop is your answer. A cult favorite with beauty types, Supergoop combines sunscreen and skincare into one seamless line of products—the company motto, after all is, "Healthy skin starts with daily SPF."
While the original Unseen Sunscreen SPF 40 is beloved by beauty editors everywhere as a velvety makeup primer and the Sunnyscreen Mineral Lotion is great for babies six months and older, we were completely smitten with the ultra-lightweight, water-resistant, non-aerosol Supergoop Play! Mineral Sunscreen Mist.
Unlike other mineral mists, this one sprayed on white but with a few swipes of your hand, rubs in beautifully and doesn't dry out your skin. Packed with marigold extract, the zinc-oxide based sunscreen will leave you and your kiddos smelling delish.
La Roche-Posay
Why it's our fave: All hail La Roche-Posay! The brand's Anthelios 60 Melt-in Sunscreen Milk has received a perfect score of 100 from Consumer Reports five years in a row, so it was a no-brainer for us to demo the natural version, Anthelios SPF 50 Mineral Sunscreen.
Let us be clear: This is the fanciest sunscreen on our list. With a spa-like scent, Anthelios feels like something that would be slathered on your face during a facial. Milky and moisturizing, it blends easily onto the skin and can be used on face and body and is safe for adults and kids alike.
The downside? The price… but this is a case in which you get what you pay for. And trust us when we say it's money well spent.
Blue Lizard
Why it's our fave: Blue Lizard is the workhorse sunscreen on our list. Developed more than 20 years ago in Australia, where sunscreen standards have stronger water resistance claims, this is the best safe sunscreen for busy mamas.
Why? We love the "smart bottle technology," where the cap on Blue Lizard's sunscreen turns blue in harmful UV light—reminding multitasking moms that it's time to reapply! It's water-resistant for 80 minutes, paraben- and fragrance-free, and most importantly, it blends into your skin like a dream.
Need more proof? Read why one of our editors is obsessed with this brand here.
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