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With summer right around the corner, it’s time to start thinking about how to keep our kids* protected from the sun (and ourselves, too!). But with so many sunscreen options out there, it’s easy to get lost in the sea of options.
That’s why we’ve rounded up the best mineral sunscreens for kids to make your life easier and to keep them safe from the sun at the same time. And honestly, these sunscreens work great for grown-ups as well.
*Only children six months of age and over should wear sunscreen.
What Are the Benefits of Mineral Sunscreens?
Mineral sunscreens have three major benefits over their chemical counterparts:
1. Safer Ingredients
Mineral sunscreens contain physical blockers (such as zinc oxide and titanium dioxide) that work by forming a protective barrier on the skin’s surface that reflects UV rays. In contrast, chemical sunscreens contain ingredients such as oxybenzone, octinoxate, and avobenzone, which absorb UV rays and convert them into heat that then gets released from the skin.
The Environmental Working Group (EWG) cautions that the ingredients in chemical sunscreens may be unsafe. Chemical sunscreen ingredients have been shown to penetrate the skin, may stay in the body for weeks after use, and may even potentially disrupt hormone function (um, no thanks!).
Additionally, several American companies that produce chemical sunscreens use oxybenzone, homosalate and octocrylene at levels that far exceed the recommended limits set by the European Commission. In even scarier news, some ingredients (like oxybenzone) may increase the risk of certain cancers.
2. Sun Protection
Mineral sunscreens typically provide broad-spectrum protection against both UVA and UVB rays, while some chemical sunscreens may only protect against UVB rays, which can cause nasty sunburns. Some chemical sunscreen ingredients may also degrade when exposed to sunlight, reducing their effectiveness over time.
3. Environmental Impact
Mineral sunscreens are considered reef-safe because they don’t harm marine life or the environment. Chemical sunscreens, particularly those containing oxybenzone and octinoxate, have been shown to be harmful to coral reefs and other marine life.
5 Best Mineral Sunscreens for Kids
The sunscreens listed here are all free of chemical sunscreen ingredients, such as octinoxate, avobenzone, and oxybenzone, that may cause harm, and they all have a high SPF of at least 40 for more protection. The best part is that these mineral sunscreens still work really well to protect little ones from the sun, even without the chemical sunscreen ingredients.
1. Thinkbaby
First up, we have our family’s go-to favorite: Thinkbaby Safe Sunscreen SPF 50+. We load up on several bottles of this stuff every summer. This zinc-based sunscreen protects your little ones from the sun’s harmful rays- I’ve been putting it on my littles since they were toddlers, and they’ve never gotten a sunburn while using it.
Thinkbaby’s sunscreen is free of harmful chemicals, so you don’t have to worry about it irritating sensitive skin. And it’s water-resistant for up to 80 minutes, so your kids can play in the pool or ocean – you will want to reapply after that 80 minute mark, however.
2. Blue Lizard
Next on our list of the best mineral sunscreens is Blue Lizard’s Australian Sunscreen. This sunscreen is made by Aussies, who are kind of experts at surviving under the scorching sun. It’s free of parabens and fragrances and other problematic chemical sunscreen ingredients.
Blue Lizard also makes a handy spray-on sunscreen with an SPF of 50. Note that this stuff still needs to be rubbed in- generally speaking, mineral sunscreens don’t spray on as easily as those with chemical ingredients. But it’s worth it to know what you’re rubbing on your kids’ skin is safe.
3. Babo Botanicals
Babo Botanicals Sheer Zinc Sunscreen Spray SPF 50 is another great spray-on option out there that Babo just came out with this year. This sunscreen also needs some rubbing in, but it protects exposed skin really well.
I find it to be much easier to apply this sunscreen to my kiddos’ arms and legs than some of the tube-based mineral sunscreens that come out super thick and need more spreading on. It’s made with 100% zinc oxide and is water-resistant for up to 80 minutes.
I personally like to use this one on my legs more than on my arms and legs, and I’m so glad they now make it in an SPF 50 option!
4. Badger Kids
For parents who prefer creamier mineral sunscreens, Badger Kids Mineral Sunscreen (SPF 40) is a great choice. It’s made with organic ingredients like beeswax and jojoba oil, so it’s perfect for sensitive skin. And it’s water-resistant for up to 80 minutes, so your kids can take a dip in the pool without worry.
5. Sun Bum’s Baby Bum
Another great option Sun Bum’s Baby Bum Mineral Sunscreen. Like the others, Baby Bum is also water-resistant for 80 minutes. Sun Bum has a mix of products- some mineral and others chemical- so be sure to check the labels before buying to make sure you’re getting a zinc based mineral product.
Our family gets a ton of use out of the Baby Bum spray and roll on stick, both SPF 50.
Sunscreen Sticks
Finally, remember to grab some mineral sunscreen sticks as well for those little faces. These sunscreen sticks make it infinitely easier to sunscreen your kids while they’re squirming away (don’t you monsters know I’m trying to help you!).
Our favorites are the SPF 50 mineral sunscreen sticks from Thinkbaby, Blue Lizard, Babo, and Sun Bum — and we also get a lot of use out of the larger body stick mineral sunscreen from Neutrogena. Whichever one you choose, make sure the active ingredient is 100% zinc!
So there you have it, folks! These are the best tried and tested best mineral sunscreens for kids that don’t contain unhealthy chemicals. Remember to reapply every hour and a half and after swimming so they can work for you all day long. Now, bring on the beach!
