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Taking your toddler out in the sun can be exciting and fun for them, but it leaves you, the mom and me the pediatrician, worried about sunburns. For us adults, the quick fix to avoiding sunburn is quickly putting on some sun screen.
For toddlers however, I’m very particular on what they put on their skin and how it could affect them. Getting the best non toxic sunscreen for toddlers is important to protect your child from sunburn while playing out in the sun and getting enough vitamin D, without having to worry about side effects and adverse reactions.
Keep reading to learn more about sunscreens and non-toxic options for your toddler.
- Is sunscreen toxic?
- What to look out for in sunscreen for toddlers
- Best non-toxic sunscreen for toddlers
- How to deal with sunburn in toddlers
Table of Contents
| Image | Product | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
Our Top Pick  | Our Top Pick | Attitude Mineral Sunscreen Stick
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| View on Amazon |
 | Babo Botanical Mineral Sunscreen
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| View on Amazon | |
Most Affordable  | Most Affordable | Think Baby Sunscreen
|
| View on Amazon |
 | Blue Lizard Baby Mineral Sunscreen
|
| View on Amazon | |
 | Trukid Eckzema Sunscreen
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| View on Amazon | |
 | Mustela Baby-Child Mineral Sunscreen
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| View on Amazon | |
 | Earth Mama Baby Mineral Sunscreen
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| View on Amazon |
Is Sunscreen Toxic?
Most of our regular everyday sunscreens are not toxic and safe to use as their constituents have not been found to be harmful. However, you should watch out for sunscreens that contain toxic chemicals like oxybenzone, avobenzone and parabens, as they may not be safe to use in the long-term. The key point here is reading the ingredient label to know what the sunscreen is made of before buying it.
What Should You Look Out for When Buying Sunscreen for Toddlers?
Getting a good and safe sunscreen for your baby isn’t a straightforward process and may get you thinking if such a sunscreen really exists. The good news is that they do. All you need to do is look out for the following features of a non-toxic sunscreen before purchasing one.
Chose Mineral Sunscreens
Mineral sunscreens make use of minerals like zinc oxide or titanium oxide to prevent sunburn by acting as a barrier against ultraviolet rays. Chemical sunscreens on the other hand make use of chemicals to absorb the ultraviolet rays and break them down via a chemical reaction. Some chemicals (e.g. oxybenzone) used by chemical sunscreens are toxic and may cause health challenges in the long term. In all, mineral sunscreen is the safer option.
Avoid sunscreens with very high SPF value
The Environmental working group (EWG) recommends that sunscreens that claim to have SPF values higher than 50 be avoided, as no sufficient evidence has shown any benefit associated with increased sunscreen SPF values. The FDA has also advised that sunscreen manufacturing companies limit their SPF values to 60.
Avoid sunscreen sprays
The EWG has also advised against sunscreen sprays, as some of these sprays contain a toxic chemical called benzene.
Also, the sunscreen spray may not leave enough sunscreen on your skin to protect you from the sun’s ultraviolet rays, hence sunscreen lotions are recommended.
Best Non Toxic Sunscreen for Toddlers and Kids
Attitude Mineral Sunscreen Stick for Kids
Attitude mineral sunscreen stick for kids is an EWG approved sunscreen with SPF value of 30+
Pros:
- It is mineral based, containing zinc
- Does not leave a white cast
- Is great for sensitive skin
- Easy to apply
- Protects against both UVA and UVB rays
Cons:
- There may be issues with the stick applicator
- Stick may melt under the sun
- Packaging is not durable
Babo Botanicals Baby Skin Mineral Sunscreen Lotion
Babo botanicals sunscreen for toddlers is EWG approved has an SPF value of 50+
Pros:
- Protects against both UVA and UVB rays.
- Does not leave a white cast
- Easy to apply
- Not greasy and does not stain clothes
Cons:
- Does not absorb into skin
- May have an unpleasant fragrance
Think Baby Sunscreen
Think Baby Sunscreen is an EWG approved sunscreen for toddlers with an SPF value of 50+
Pros:
- It is BPA-free
- Has a sweet papaya fragrance
- It is water resistant
Cons:
- Contains Dimethicone which can cause allergic reactions in some toddlers
- Contains a comedogenic substance that can clog your toddlers skin pores. Ensure that sunscreen is properly washed off after play time in the sun is over.
Blue Lizard Baby Mineral Sunscreen
Blue Lizard Baby Mineral Sunscreen is EWG approved with an SPF value of 50+
Pros:
- Bottle turns pink once exposed to UV rays, serving as a reminder that it is time to put on sunscreen
- Is mineral-based and does not contain toxic chemicals
Cons:
- Contains silicone which cause allergic reactions in some toddlers
- Contains a comedogenic substance that can clog your toddler’s pores and should be carefully washed off after play time.
TruKid Eczema Sunscreen
TruKid Eczema Sunscreen is an EWG approved sunscreen with an SPF value of 30+
Pros:
- It is phthalate-free
- It is paraben-free
- Does not cause skin rashes in toddlers
- Absorbs quickly into skin
Cons:
- It contains a disinfectant chemical called Polyaminopropyl Biguanide which is considered safe in the US and banned for cosmetic use in Europe.
Mustela Baby-Child Mineral Sunscreen
Mustela Baby-Child Mineral Sunscreen is an EWG approved sunscreen with an SPF value of 50+
Pros:
- Travel-friendly
- Recommended by the Skin Cancer Foundation
- Certified by the National Eczema Association
- Easy to apply
Cons:
- May feel greasy
- Leaves a white cast which requires extra rubbing in to fully blend
Earth Mama Organics Sensitive Mineral Sunscreen
Earth Mama Organics Sensitive Mineral Sunscreen is an EWG approved sunscreen with an SPF value of 40+
Pros:
- It is moisturizing
- Not irritating and gentle on sensitive skin
- It is mineral based and non-toxic
Cons:
- Leaves a white cast after application
How Do I Apply Sunscreen on My Toddler?
Applying sunscreen on your toddler can be a lot of work as they can get wriggly and make it almost impossible to completely get sunscreen on them. It helps to involve your toddler in the application process by giving your child a sunscreen stick to apply on her body. To your toddler, it will feel more like a coloring game. You can then fill up the places your toddler missed so they won’t have any areas of sunburn.
It also helps to make the application of sunscreen a routine before going out. Over the years, i have found that kids do better with routines, something they can predict and expect to happen. With time, your toddler will get used to sunscreen application and become less fussy over it.
What to do if Your Toddler Gets a Sun Burn?
Sunburns on your toddler’s skin can happen for reasons such as; not applying sunscreen at all while in the sun, not applying enough sunscreen while in the sun or applying a fake or substandard sunscreen.
Once you notice your toddler has sunburns, you should take the following steps:
- Take your toddler out of the sun
- Give her a cool bath or dab her skin with a damp towel
- Use lotions or skin gels that contain aloe vera to soothe your toddler’s skin
- Keep your toddler well hydrated
- Do not pop blisters if present on your toddler’s skin
- Take your child to see a doctor as soon as possible
Final thoughts
A non-toxic, toddler-friendly sunscreen is a must-have for every mom living in sunny areas. As your kids grow, they will love to explore and play outside in the sun which is good for them and helps them get a good dose of vitamin D. However, while they play in the sun, you have to protect them from the harmful ultraviolet rays which could cause sunburn in your toddler. That is where sunscreens come in, and it is important to know the one that is safe for your toddler to use.
Nancy M.D. is a health practitioner, pediatrician and medical writer, who is dedicated to fostering awareness, and lending a helping hand to humanity at large.
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