11 Best Sunscreens for Kids and Babies, According to Dermatologists

For precision on the face (and particularly around the eyes), try a stick sunscreen, says Mona Gohara, MD, a board-certified dermatologist in Connecticut. The mineral ingredients—namely, titanium dioxide and zinc oxide—in this formula create a physical block that shields skin from harmful UV rays, while the stick is easy for kids to apply themselves. It's also gentle and unscented to suit the most sensitive skin. Not to mention, this particular formula contains nourishing ingredients like vitamins C and E, as well as shea butter for even more bang for your buck.

"I always recommend mineral block sunscreens made with zinc oxide and/or titanium dioxide for children, since these provide broad-spectrum coverage against both UVA and UVB portions of the spectrum," says Sonia Batra, MD, a board-certified dermatologist and cohost of The Doctors. This one has zinc oxide, and is tear-free and environmentally friendly—making it one of the top picks on the Environmental Working Group's list of best-scoring sunscreens for kids. It's also one of the most widely available formulas out there. You can pluck it off the shelf at nearly any drugstore—perfect for those times when you forget to pack sunscreen.

This SPF 30 mineral-based sunscreen—it's powered by zinc oxide and titanium dioxide—is gentle on skin and provides broad-spectrum UV protection, says board-certified dermatologist Keira Barr, MD. It's also water-resistant for up to 40 minutes, which is great for active toddlers and kids. Bonus: The packaging serves as a gentle reminder to parents when it's time to reapply—the cap changes color when harmful UVA and UVB rays are present.

It might sound like a hefty price to pay for sunscreen, but this mega container may just last you all summer long. Keep it in your mudroom as a reminder to apply every morning before leaving the house. It may be a chemical sunscreen (active ingredients include avobenzon, homosalate, octisalate, and octocrylene), but dermatologists like Gohara say it's totally safe for kiddos and has the added benefit of being a great pick for everyone else in the family, too. It's lightweight and offers excellent protection, plus the pump makes application a breeze—key for adequate coverage, says Gohara.

"It's safe to apply sunscreen once babies are 6 months old," says board-certified dermatologist Tsippora Shainhouse, MD. And this is a great starter sunscreen: The 100 percent zinc and fragrance-free formula is delicate on sensitive skin, says board-certified dermatologist Caroline Chang, MD. Still, it boasts a whopping 21.6 percent zinc oxide for even better sun protection. It's also formulated to be tear-free.

When it comes to babies, it's so important to not only consider the sun protection a brand offers, but also to avoid extra ingredients that can be irritating to sensitive skin, says board-certified dermatologist Erum Ilyas, MD. This gentle option is made from just seven ingredients, including beeswax, calendula, sea buckthorn, and sunflower and chamomile oils, and uses zinc oxide—an ingredient recognized by the FDA as safe and effective for adults and babies—for sun protection.

This mild formula may not have that classic sweet and fruity Banana Boat fragrance, but it'll still provide high-quality sun protection. That's because the powerhouse titanium dioxide and zinc-based formula—which is made with 25 percent fewer ingredients than other Banana Boat sunscreens—stays in place through all types of fun in the sun. And, bonus, spray is one of the easiest ways to douse a kid in UV protection before they squirm right out of your arms.

Another top pick of the Environmental Working Group's list of best sunscreens for kids, this formula contains only the mineral block or zinc oxide, so it's extra gentle on the skin, says Joshua Zeichner, MD, a board-certified dermatologist in New York City. It's also enriched with oat extract to coat, sooth, and hydrate sensitive or inflamed skin, making it the perfect choice for kids and babies with eczema.

"The key thing I tell all parents is: One application is not enough," says Kavita Mariwalla, of Mariwalla Dermatology in West Islip, New York . "You have to reapply throughout the day, so it's essential that you pick a formula that makes that possible, whether it's a lightweight lotion, a stick, or a spray for older kids." And that's exactly why she recommends this convenient—and hypoallergenic—mineral sunscreen stick, which makes it easy to keep your little one's face and ears protected while they are playing sports or during outdoor activities like biking and hiking. It's made with 100 percent naturally sourced zinc oxide, offering water-resistant protection from both UVA and UVB rays for up to 80 minutes.

So many baby- and kid-safe sunscreens leave an unsightly white cast, especially on anyone with a darker skin tone. Not this one. This formula, powered by homosalate, octocrylene, octisalate, and avobenzone, glides right on and leaves absolutely zero residue in its wake. It also offers a little punch of vitamin E, a skin-nourishing ingredient that can help fight the free radicals that lead to skin damage over time.

Spray sunscreens are most effective when applied directly to the skin and then rubbed in, says Shainhouse. This SPF 70 spray option rubs in easily to ensure adequate protection against UVA and UVB rays. "I especially love the high SPF and the true water-resistant nature," says Chang. You get a full 80 minutes out of the formula. It also boasts antioxidant multi-vitamins C and E for even more skin benefits for your little one.