The summer months can be a tricky time and there are so many things that one needs to take care of to protect their skin. You may need to be out in the sun and this can cause a lot of damage to the skin.
Things get even worse if you have a baby to take care of because their skins are more sensitive. In such a case, it may become necessary to find the best natural sunscreen for babies.
Pediatricians usually recommend that babies below the age of six months be kept away from the sun. However, sometimes you may not avoid being outdoors and if exposed, an SPF sunscreen or higher needs to be used.
It is recommended that one should buy a sunscreen each summer and there are many options. Some natural options are worth considering and they are the best especially for babies. The best remedy, however, is to limit how exposed your child is to the sun especially before six months.
You need to be aware of what you are applying on your baby’s skin. Get to know the ingredients used to make the sunscreen and find the ones that are recommended for a baby’s skin.
What is Sunscreen?
Sunscreen is the ointment that is made using active ingredients that prevent the UV radiations that are emitted by the sun from getting to your skin.
Sunscreen is a very important part of sun protection. However, remember that using sunscreen on its own is not enough to keep you safe.
You need to use sunscreen according to the directions offered. In such a case, you decrease the occurrence of skin cancers or even skin precancers.
When you use sunscreen regularly, you reduce the chances of squamous cell carcinoma by almost 40 percent. You also reduce the risk of melanoma by half.
Should I Use Sunscreen On My Newborn?
The simple answer is no. It is fine to use sunscreen when the baby is over 6 months or older. However, for younger babies, including newborns, it is not recommended.
You should use other kinds of sun protection like avoiding direct sun or covering when you are out in the sun.
You should keep your newborn under the shade at all times and dress them protectively and use sunglasses, a brim, and a hat.
Even with this kind of dressing, ensure that they are comfortable and do not get overheated. A popup tent or umbrella should be used at all times
Why Should Your Baby Use Sunscreen?
Infants need to be protected from the sun rays. If the child is over six months, then you need to apply sunscreen and it is a very important thing if the baby will be venturing outdoors and under the sun.
You need to spread a liberal amount of the sunscreen over all the areas that are exposed like half an hour before going outdoors. Sunscreen should be applied to the ears, and nose areas. The lips should be protected using lip balm.
By applying the appropriate sunscreen, you are essentially protecting the skin of the baby from the UV rays of the sun that can be damaging to the skin and that can cause many issues including cancer.
What Do I Need To Know About Sunscreen?
Based on how important sunscreen is, you need to ensure you know as much about it as possible. When minerals like titanium dioxide and zinc oxide are used, sunscreen seems thicker. Ensure you still apply enough to cover your skin well.
You stay alert for oxybenzone. Even though it is a great ultraviolet filtering ingredient, it is an allergen and can cause hormone disruption. Avoid it.
You should always stick with sunscreen that has an SPF range of 30-50 since it offers adequate protection.
You should never use sunscreen if it is expired. Also, check the dates when you are purchasing. When unopened, sunscreen should be good for around two years. Do not keep your sunscreen in the car either.
Can baby Sunscreen cause allergies?
Yes, baby sunscreen can cause allergies, but this depends on the ingredients that have been used to make. As such, you need to be very careful with what you apply to your baby. Get to know the things that your child is allergic to.
Also, find out as much about sunscreen as possible before you purchase it. This is the only way you can evaluate its safety, especially for your child.
Sunscreen can cause a change in the appearance of the baby, especially in the areas exposed. You may notice that the eyes may become red and sometimes puffy.
However, the best brands are very sensitive about what they use to make the baby sunscreen and it should be safe to use.
Types of sunscreen
- Chemical absorbers: include things like benzophenone, cinnamate, and salicalate. These types convert the sunray energy to heat reducing the kind of damage that the rays can cause to the skin.
- Physical blockers: these use zinc oxide or titanium dioxide. These reflect the sunrays away.
The above are the types of sunscreens based on the ingredients. Formulations can deliver systems that hold sunscreen to the skin and they include:
- Surface sunscreens
- Mid-layer sunscreens
- Top layer sunscreens
The advantages of having the best natural sunscreen for babies
- Help keep a baby’s normal complexion
- The obvious one is protection from the sun’s harmful UV rays
- Helps prevent the development of different skin disorders
- Keeps the baby from sunburns
- Helps baby skin remain healthy and radiant at all times
- Reduces the chances of developing cancer
- Helps maintain the healthy skin of babies regardless of being out in the summer sun because of the presence of essential proteins
How I selected the 10 best natural sunscreens for babies
- SPF protection:
The best sunscreen has a sunscreen protector. This should be 30 and higher. This is the broad-spectrum sunscreen and is usually the best.
- UVB and UVA protection
It should be able to protect again UVB and UVA rays. This is one of the things that you should keep an eye open for especially if it is meant for a baby.
- Natural ingredients:
Baby skin is very sensitive and the mildest irritant can cause considerable damage to the same. As such, you should pick a natural sunscreen for your baby. Find out the ingredients that have been used to make it and make sure that it is not something that your baby is allergic to.
- Water resistance:
A good sunscreen should be water resistant. This means that the kids will be protected even when they spend time in the water for a considerable amount of time.
List of the 5 Best Natural Sunscreen for Babies
Choosing the best chemical free sunscreen for toddlers is one of the most important things that you can do. Some of the best natural sunscreens for babies include:
1. Sun Bum Original Moisturizing Sunscreen SPF 15 Lotion
This broad-spectrum sunscreen lotion is water resistant and offers non-greasy protection. It is gluten free, octaven free, and hypoallergenic.
This sunscreen is great for use by children and adults as well. It means that it is the best sunscreen for babies with sensitive skin. It offers UVB and UVA protection. It is also water resistant and can be used up to 80 minutes in water.
The ingredients used are vegan and reef friendly. It is designed to protect the skin from premature aging. The product also moisturizes the skin.
The product is enriched with vitamin E. It does not have any ingredients that cause allergies or clog pores. The product is also paraben free, octinoxatre free, and oxbenzone free. It is gluten free, oil free, PABA free, and cruelty free.
This sunscreen follows all the guidelines and recommendations that are set forth by SCF as well as the American cancer society. The sunscreen has been tested and tried. It is a highly recommended brand.
This sunscreen should be applied to the skin half an hour before you or your child has to go outdoors. This allows it to be absorbed to the maximum and offering you the kind of protection that is needed. Apply the recommended amount of the sunscreen so that the SPF ratings are adequate.
2. Supergoop!
This is another sunscreen that you can pick for your baby. It is ideal for the face and the whole body. It comes with sunflower extract for a better outcome. The sunscreen protects your skin from sun rays and defends the skin from dehydration and photo aging.
It is a non-comedogenic option and it is water resistant. It is quite safe to use it on your kid’s face. The lotion can be applied liberally on the body and face 15 minutes before going out into the sun.
The sunscreen is infused with antioxidant, which offers even more benefits for the skin. The sunscreen is a great choice for everyday use. It absorbs fast and is lightweight.
This offers the best moisturizing effects that you could expect. The ingredients used are natural extracts of bois de rose, basil, and citrus. This leaves a typical small behind.
The brand has been around since 2007 and has been making some of the best sunscreens the world has seen. It is not tacky, smelly, or sticky as some sunscreens are.
The best thing about the sunscreen is the fact that it is infused with some of the best skin care essential with the best formulations. This offers the skin the kind of shield that it needs to deal with aggressors like light and pollution.
3. Coppertone SPORT Continuous Sunscreen Spray Broad Spectrum SPF 50 Multipack
This is a sunscreen in the form of a spray that is designed to hold a long time even if you sweat. It is a high performing option and falls under SPF 50 category. This spray protects the skin from sun rays and it is water resistant too.
It is a durable formula that allows the skin to have a breathable and light feel. The spray can work at all angles. It is important to ensure that you get maximum coverage to enjoy the broad-spectrum UVA/UVB protection. This means that your skin is protected from the most damaging sun rays up to 98 percent.
The spray contains vitamin E and moisturizers that refuel the skin defense. This pack offers great value to the user and great savings for summer campers, sports teams and families as well.
This is a sunscreen that you can rely on if you love engaging in outdoor activities regardless of how intense they may be. The best thing you can do is get the multi pack that includes 5.5-ounce bottles of the spray to enjoy the savings.
You also need to ensure that you reapply the sunscreen according to the directions given.
4. Neutrogena Pure & Free Baby Mineral Sunscreen Lotion
This is a broad spectrum SPF 50 with zinc oxide. It is water resistant, tear free and hypoallergenic sunscreen for babies.
This sunscreen offers your child with the kind of sun protection that is needed to prevent the occurrence of sunburn.
The lotion is specially formulated and made of zinc oxide that is naturally sourced. It has purescreen technology that absorbs and reflects the dangerous sun rays away.
The tear free formula ensures that the baby’s eyes don’t sting. It does not have any fragrance, irritating chemicals, dyes, phthalates, or paraben.
It is a special formula that is ideal for the sensitive and delicate skin of a baby. It has been recognized by the national eczema association and has its seal of acceptance. What do you think about eczema?
The sunscreen is hypoallergenic and it is dermatologically tested. It is water resistant and can offer such protection for around 80 minutes.
It is one of the best picks you can make, especially because it is specially formulated for babies. We all understand that a baby’s skin is very sensitive and the mildest irritant can cause a lot of damage that could be irreversible in some instances.
Choose the best sunscreen for babies under 6 months and protect your baby from the harmful rays emitted by the sun.
5. Babyganics Baby Sunscreen Lotion
This is another amazing formulation meant for baby skin. It is formulated without the inclusion of Nano particles, fragrances, phthalates, paraben, and PABA. The formulation contains organic ingredients that are certified and plant derived.
This is one of the best organic sunscreen for babies formulated with neonourish seed oil blend. The oil contains raspberry oil, black cumin oil, cranberry oil, sunflower oil, and tomato oil.
This lotion is applied to exposed areas. It offers protection against UVA and UVB rays. It is a broad spectrum SPF 50 that also offers water resistance up to 80 minutes.
It is a tear free option too, meaning it does not irritate the eyes of your loved one. Other things that make it stand out is the fact that it is non-allergenic, it is tested and approved by dermatologists and pediatricians, and it is cruelty-free meaning it is not tested on animals.
This sunscreen option allows your little one to venture outdoors without restrictions. Your baby will have enough protection from a lotion that is smooth and very easy to apply.
The active ingredients used to make this product include zinc oxide, titanium dioxide, and octisalate. It needs to be applied liberally around 15 minutes before going out in the sun. Reapply the lotion on your child 80 minutes of sweating or swimming.
Conclusion
The summer months should not limit you from enjoying the outdoors. The same applies to those who have children over 6 months of age. There are many safe, natural sunscreens for babies that your child can use.
Remember that your baby’s skin is more sensitive than adults are. It is important to take time to select a product that is made from natural and safe products at all times. Failure to do this can have catastrophic effects on the baby.
Make sure that the sunscreen is easy to apply and light on the screen. It does not make sense to use something too hard to wash out later.
Choose products that are approved for babies and avoid using any sunscreen on babies under 6 months, regardless of how mild or natural it is.
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