Skin cancer is the most common type of cancer worldwide.
That makes sense considering it is our largest organ and we often fail to take care of it properly. Your skin is very important to your overall health and skincare shouldn’t be taken lightly which is why it is so important to find the best baby sunscreen.
Children, and especially babies, have very sensitive skin that should be taken care of delicately. One of the most important things to consider when caring for your baby’s skin is making sure that you protect them from the potentially harmful rays of the sun. This is especially important anytime they will be exposed to the sun for more than a few minuets at a time, which tends to be a regular occurrence in the spring and especially the summer.
The best way to protect your little ones from the dangerous affects of prolonged sun exposure is to ensure you have a good baby sunscreen for them. Like many products, buying a good sunscreen isn’t as black and white as it used to be. With the nearly unlimited options on the market, you want to really ensure that you choose a quality sunscreen that is both safe and effective.
Best Baby Sunscreen
With so many baby sunscreens to choose from this year, you may be struggling to figure out which one is the best for your baby. There is a lot that should go into your decision such as the strength of the sunscreen, the ingredients, the way you apply it, and more. No worries though, we have taken the time and put together this all-encompassing top ten baby sunscreens list to narrow down your options and make it easier for you to make a choice!
Products | SPF | Application Method | Water Resistance | Price |
---|---|---|---|---|
Burt’s Bees Baby Nourishing Mineral Sunscreen | 30 | Lotion | 40 minutes | Check Price |
Thinkbaby Safe Sunscreen SPF 50+ | 50 | Lotion | 80 minutes | Check Price |
Nurture My Body Organic Baby Sunscreen | 32 | Lotion | None | Check Price |
Coppertone WaterBabies Sunscreen Quick Cover Lotion Spray | 50 | Spray | 80 minutes | Check Price |
3rd Rock Sunblock Natural Organic Zinc Sunscreen | 35 | Lotion | 80 minutes | Check Price |
Banana Boat Baby Sunscreen | 50 | Lotion | 80 minutes | Check Price |
Babyganics Mineral-Based Baby Sunscreen Lotion | 50 | Lotion | 80 minutes | Check Price |
TotLogic Natural Sunscreen | 30 | Lotion | 80 minutes | Check Price |
Aveeno Baby Continuous Protection Mineral Sunscreen Stick | 50 | Stick | 80 minutes | Check Price |
Neutrogena Wet Skin Kids Sunscreen Spray | 70 | Spray | 80 minutes | Check Price |
1Burt’s Bees Baby Nourishing Mineral Sunscreen – Best Baby Sunscreen
Burt’s Bees Baby Nourishing Mineral Sunscreen – Best Baby Sunscreen
- 40-minute water resistance
- Nourishes skin
- Moisturizing
- SPF 30
- 9% natural
- Hypoallergenic
- Free of parabens, phthalates, and petroleum
- Mineral-based
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Burt’s Bees Baby is a well-trusted, naturally-minded company that makes amazing, high-quality baby products of all kinds. It is no surprise at all that they won the top spot on our baby sunscreen guide. This sunscreen is mostly natural, very safe, and extremely affective.
Burt’s Bees Baby’s sunscreen is also water-resistant. This makes a big difference because it won’t immediately wash away when your baby gets wet due to being in the pool, the ocean, or even just from sweating. In most cases that your baby will need to wear sunscreen, they will also be getting wet – even if just by sweating. That means that this water-resistance will play a valuable role in the effectiveness of the sunscreen. Even with the water-resistant feature, it is still important to reapply baby’s sunscreen every 40 minutes for maximum benefits.
It shouldn’t be surprising that such a wonderful sunscreen from a great company such as Burt’s Bees Baby is a bit more expensive than your other baby sunscreen options. It may not be the most affordable choice, but it is still a reasonable price considering the quality, benefits, and effectiveness of the product.
- Water-resistance allows you 40 minutes of time between applications while playing in the water
- SPF 30 coverage is broad spectrum and protects baby’s skin well
- Use of coconut extract, vitamin E, and honeysuckle helps to nourish baby’s skin
- Provides hydrating moisture to your little one’s skin
- Well-trusted company can give you peace of mind
- Mostly natural ingredients help to ensure safety
- Priciest baby sunscreen on the guide
- SPF isn’t as high as many people prefer
For the very best baby sunscreen, choose Burt’s Bees Baby Nourishing Mineral Sunscreen. It is a very well-made product and has lots of benefits. Its only drawbacks are very minor when it comes to the big picture and it is definitely worth the purchase.
2Thinkbaby Safe Sunscreen SPF 50+ – Safest Baby Sunscreen
Thinkbaby Safe Sunscreen SPF 50+ – Safest Baby Sunscreen
- EWG safety rating of 1
- SPF 50
- Sun Safety Coalition member
- Safe Cosmetics Compact member
- Mineral-based
- 80-minute water resistance
- Non-oily
- Non-nano zinc oxide formula
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Thinkbaby’s Safe Sunscreen is the safest baby sunscreen you can get. This is a company that prides itself on user safety while also creating an affective, quality product. It is a seriously incredible baby sunscreen that is made using safe ingredients that actually work.
The Environmental Working Group is an organization that does research and acts as an advocate in certain areas related to public health such as toxic chemical use in products. One of the coolest things about Thinkbaby is that they don’t just claim to have a safe product, but they actually back up the fact that their product is legitimately safe.
One of the ways that they prove the safety of their sunscreen is by showing the Environmental Working Group’s safety rating for each individual ingredient that their product contains. They also proudly display the fact that the Thinkbaby Safe Sunscreen has an impressive overall Environmental Working Group safety rating of 1 and has maintained that since 2010. This sunscreen from Thinkbaby was also the first sunscreen to pass Whole Foods Premium Care requirements.
Burt’s Bees Baby’s sunscreen is also water-resistant. This makes a big difference because it won’t immediately wash away when your baby gets wet due to being in the pool, the ocean, or even just from sweating. In most cases that your baby will need to wear sunscreen, they will also be getting wet – even if just by sweating. That means that this water-resistance will play a valuable role in the effectiveness of the sunscreen. Even with the water-resistant feature, it is still important to reapply baby’s sunscreen every 40 minutes for maximum benefits.
Thinkbaby’s sunscreen has the highest water-resistance rating that is allowable by the FDA. That means that while it goes above and beyond safety regulations, it is still as water-resistant as possible. This is a really important feature because it helps you to have maximum protection from the sun without having to reapply as often as many other brands may require. Thinkbaby’s water-resistance is rated for 80 minutes. That means you can spend nearly an hour and a half in the water before it becomes necessary to reapply.
While this baby sunscreen does have many benefits and certainly works to protect your baby’s skin from the potentially dangerous rays of the sun, it does have the drawback of not always being quite as effective as some of the stronger sunscreens that are often made with slightly harsher ingredients.
- High water-resistance means less frequent reapplications
- Tons of evidence of safety gives you peace of mind
- High SPF of 50 really helps to protect your baby’s skin
- Thinner consistency goes on smoothly and absorbs well into the skin without leaving oily residue
- Not always as affective as some other sunscreens
This is a wonderful sunscreen and is certainly the safest baby sunscreen on the market. This company really stands behind its promise to be safe by proving it over and over.
3Nurture My Body Organic Baby Sunscreen – Best Organic Baby Sunscreen
Nurture My Body Organic Baby Sunscreen – Best Organic Baby Sunscreen
- 25% zinc oxide
- SPF 32
- All natural
- Only 8 ingredients
- Certified organic
- 0-1 EWG safety rating
- Vegan-friendly
- Cruelty-free
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Organic products are becoming much more widely available now that more people are learning about the benefits of organic and becoming health-conscious for themselves as well as their families. Sunscreen is no exception to that and there are more organic options than ever. This particular one from Nurture My Body is our top pick as the best organic baby sunscreen.
Just like Thinkbaby, Nurture My Body is a company that is very proud to display their Environmental Working Group safety rating. All of Nurture My Body’s products have received an EWG safety score of 0 to 1, which is very impressive and should definitely reassure you when it comes to the safety of the best organic baby sunscreen.
This is another baby sunscreen that uses zinc oxide. One of the important reasons that this company has chosen this as their sun-blocking ingredient is because it is the only sunscreen that is approved for use on infants that are under the age of 6 months. This makes it the best and safest sunscreen option for young babies as well as babies, toddlers, and children of any age. It provides adequate protection that gives this option an SPF rating of 32.
With so many wonderful benefits and even at a great value, it is hard to complain. However, there is one small drawback to this option from Nurture my Body compared to most other choices that we reviewed. According to user reviews, this baby sunscreen is very thick. The thick composition of the organic sunscreen makes it a bit harder to rub in, which can be slightly inconvenient with a baby.
- 25% zinc oxide composition protects well from the sun while remaining very safe
- SPF 32 rating guarantee protection from the sun’s rays
- All of the ingredients are easy to understand and natural
- Certified organic means that you know it is of the best and safest quality
- Thick texture of the sunscreen makes it harder to easily rub in
If you are one of the many people that is trying to lead a healthier lifestyle for you and your family by switching to primarily organic products, this is definitely the best sunscreen for your family. It is certified organic, made with only 8 easy-to-read ingredients, and is all-natural, vegan-friendly, and cruelty-free.
4Coppertone WaterBabies Sunscreen Quick Cover Lotion Spray – Best Baby Sunscreen Spray
Coppertone WaterBabies Sunscreen Quick Cover Lotion Spray – Best Baby Sunscreen Spray
- #1 Pediatrician recommended brand
- Visible when sprayed
- Blocks 98% of sun’s rays
- SPF 50
- Water-resistant for 80 minutes
- Non-irritating formula
- Vitamin E
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There are some really cool benefits when it comes to choosing a sunscreen spray for your baby over alternative baby sunscreen options. It is very convenient and easy to use compared to many other options. If you are looking for a good baby sunscreen spray, this WaterBabies Sunscreen from Coppertone is an amazing baby sunscreen spray and should be a strong contender when you are choosing a sunscreen for your baby.
This sunscreen spray is very easy to apply. You simply spray it all over your baby’s skin. Don’t spray their face directly, though. You don’t want to get this into the eyes or for your baby to breathe it in. Instead, when it comes to applying it to baby’s face, simply spray a little into your hand and then carefully rub it onto their face.
Coppertone’s Baby Sunscreen Spray even helps to nourish and moisturize your little one’s precious skin while it simultaneously protects it from the sun’s rays. Added moisturizers and vitamin E do wonders at making your baby’s skin silky smooth and comfortably soft.
- Vitamin E and moisturizers nourish and soothe skin
- Easy application is fast and convenient
- Stays on in water for 80 minutes
- Visibility when sprayed allows you to easily get full coverage
- Blocks 98% of sun’s rays for affective protection
- Not a good choice for babies under the age of 6 months
Coppertone is even the #1 prediatrician recommended sunscreen brand, so you can rest assured that it is a good choice. It is super affective, easy to use, and only needs to be reapplied every 80 minutes during water play. If you want something that is super convenient, and your baby is over 6 months of age, this could be the perfect choice for your family!
53rd Rock Sunblock Natural Organic Zinc Sunscreen – Best Moisturizing Baby Sunscreen
3rd Rock Sunblock Natural Organic Zinc Sunscreen – Best Moisturizing Baby Sunscreen
- Aromatherapeutic
- Food-grade ingredients
- All-natural
- Zinc oxide formula
- Moisturizing
- SPF 35
- Non-toxic
- Water-resistant
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This impressive sunscreen has tons of great benefits and cool features! It is the best moisturizing baby sunscreen and is also super safe and effective. It is made of all-natural ingredients. In fact, this sunscreen is actually made entirely of food-grade ingredients. While you probably wouldn’t want to eat it since it wouldn’t taste too great, it is cool to know that you could safely ingest it!
There is a lot to love about this sunscreen – such as the fact that it is non-gmo, cruelty-free, vegan-friendly, and even deemed as reef-safe by the Coral Restoration Foundation.
This is the best moisturizing baby sunscreen thanks to the fact that it is all-natural and contains naturally moisturizing ingredients like jojoba oil, fruit oil, and coconut oil. Together, these things do wonders for your baby’s skin. This sunblock even helps to really nourish skin and does much more than simply blocking the sun since it helps to strengthen skin on a cellular level.
- Stays on for 80 minutes even in water
- All-natural ingredients give peace of mind
- Food-grade ingredients ensure high quality
- Zinc oxide blocks the sun effectively while remaining safe for even younger babies
- Cruelty-free and vegan-friendly certifications can make you feel good about the product you are purchasing
- Most expensive sunscreen choice of the options we reviewed
This product is considerably more expensive than the other options on the list. If you are on a tight budget or you will need to use sunscreen on your baby extremely often, this might not be for you. With that being said, you tend to get what you pay for and this sunscreen is absolutely incredible and other than its price tag, it is extremely hard to beat it.
6Banana Boat Baby Sunscreen – Best Budget Baby Sunscreen
Banana Boat Baby Sunscreen – Best Budget Baby Sunscreen
- Tear-free
- Sting-free
- Alcohol-free
- Hypoallergenic
- Pediatrician tested
- SPF 50
- Recommended by the Skin Cancer Foundation
- Water-resistant to 80 minutes
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Banana Boat is a very popular brand that most people have heard of and probably used. It is timeless and trustworthy, and it should come as no surprise that it earned its way onto the top ten baby sunscreens guide.
The best budget baby sunscreen isn’t just more affordable, though. This awesome baby sunscreen lotion comes with more than twice as much in a single bottle than most of the other choices on our list. So, you pay less and get more.
This is a huge selling point because nobody wants their baby to be in pain and it can be difficult to get sunscreen onto their face to adequately protect them without accidentally getting a little in or too close to the eyes. Babies also tend to rub their face, especially when you mess with them which can lead to a little bit getting in the eyes. With this sunscreen, that won’t be a problem!
- Tear-free and sting-free formula won’t hurt your little one if it accidentally gets into the eyes
- Extremely affordable choice
- Water resistance allows 80 minutes of water play before reapplication
- SPF 50 protects well against the sun’s harmful rays
- Not ideal choice for babies under the age of 6 months
Since this product contains sun blocking ingredients other than just zinc oxide, it is not guaranteed safe for children under the age of 6 months. This can be inconvenient if your little one is very young, but if you don’t have a baby under 6 months, it can make a great, effective choice. Anyone that is on a tight budget definitely needs to consider this option since it comes at a fraction of the cost of other baby sunscreens.
7Babyganics Mineral-Based Baby Sunscreen Lotion– Best Mineral-Based Baby Sunscreen
Babyganics Mineral-Based Baby Sunscreen Lotion– Best Mineral-Based Baby Sunscreen
- Mineral-based
- Broad Spectrum SPF 50
- Pediatrician and dermatologist tested
- NeoNourish Seed Oil Blend
- Not tested on animals
- Certified organic ingredients
- Water-resistant to 80 minutes
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Babyganics is an incredible brand that is naturally-minded and creates great baby products that are both safe and effective. This sunscreen from them is our pick for the best mineral-based baby sunscreen and is definitely an awesome choice for those that are more naturally-minded, but still on a budget
Like most of the other baby sunscreen options that we reviewed, this baby sunscreen lotion is rated as water-resistant to 80 minutes, so you only have to reapply every 80 minutes of water play.
- Natural and organic ingredients give peace of mind
- NeoNourish Seed Oil Blend nourishes and soothes skin
- SPF 50 rating guarantees good sun protection
- Free of potentially harmful substances like phthalates, parabens, fragrances, and nano-particles
- Very affordable choice, especially as far as natural options go
- Some ingredients aren’t guaranteed safe for babies under the age of 6 months
If you are both on a budget and trying to stick to natural options for your family, this is likely the best choice for your family. It is completely natural, nourishes your baby’s skin while effectively protecting it, and comes at an incredible price with an even better value.
8TotLogic Natural Sunscreen – Best Natural Baby Sunscreen
TotLogic Natural Sunscreen – Best Natural Baby Sunscreen
- SPF 30
- Vegan-friendly and cruelty-free
- Free of parabens, phthalates, and formaldehyde
- No dyes or artificial scents
- Made in the USA
- Coral reef safe
- Natural ingredients
- 20% zinc oxide
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Another fantastic choice for natural sunscreen is TotLogic’s Natural Baby Sunscreen. We are considering this the best natural baby sunscreen for several reasons. It is very natural, eco-friendly, and super safe, but is still pretty affordable. It isn’t quite as affordable as Babyganics, but it certainly is less costly than 3rd Rock Sunblock’s baby sunscreen.
Like many other options, this awesome baby sunscreen lotion from TotLogic is multi-purposeful. It does a wonderful job at shielding baby’s skin from the harmful rays of the sun, but it also provides nourishment and other benefits for the skin including providing antioxidants. This baby sunscreen lotion contains lavender, white tea, jojoba, chamomile, arnica, and even hyaluronic acid to help provide natural moisture to your baby’s skin.
Since this product contains no harsh ingredients and utilizes zinc oxide as its sole sun blocking agent, it is one of the sunscreen choices that is generally considered safe for babies under the age of 6 months.
- Safe option for all ages
- Plant-based formula is safe and beneficial
- Antioxidants provide benefits to the skin
- Eco-friendly formula helps you to feel good about supporting the company
- Thick formula can leave a white film on the skin, including the face
Really, the only drawback to this sunscreen is that it is a rather thick formula. Because of this, it can take longer to rub the sunscreen in thoroughly and may end up leaving a white film on the skin. This bothers some people but considering all of the amazing benefits of this sunscreen, it is not really that big of a deal. If you want a great natural sunscreen option for your baby, this is definitely the choice for you.
9Aveeno Baby Continuous Protection Mineral Sunscreen Stick – Best Baby Sunscreen Stick
Aveeno Baby Continuous Protection Mineral Sunscreen Stick – Best Baby Sunscreen Stick
- Stick applicator
- Oil-free
- Sensitive-skin formula
- SPF 50
- Easy to apply
- Mineral-based
- Skin-soothing
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From Aveeno Baby comes the best sunscreen stick option out there. This awesome mineral-based baby sunscreen stick makes it very easy and convenient to apply the sunscreen to your baby – especially their face. Actually, this particular sunscreen is designed specifically for facial application. While you could use it on the rest of your baby if you prefer, it may become costly and take a while to do so. For this reason, it is ideal to buy this sunscreen stick for your baby’s face and choose a different option for the rest of your baby’s body.
The formula used to create this sunscreen stick is non-irritating. It is very gentle and made without the use of oils or artificial scents. This makes it a really great choice as a baby face sunscreen and for those with more sensitive skin.
- Stick applicator makes it easy and convenient to apply
- Perfect for facial application on babies
- Skin soothing ingredients nourish the skin while protecting it
- SPF 50 protection is effective and naturally sourced
- Oil-free gentle formula is good for sensitive skin
- Costly sunscreen compared to other options with different application methods
- Not ideal for babies under 6 months old
While this is a reasonably priced baby sunscreen option as far as sunscreen sticks go, it is considerably costlier than the other sunscreen options. This is why it is best suited to just be used on the face and its better to buy a separate option for the rest of your baby’s body. With all of the great benefits and high level of convenience, it can be well worth the purchase.
10Neutrogena Wet Skin Kids Sunscreen Spray – Best Baby Sunscreen for Reapplication
Neutrogena Wet Skin Kids Sunscreen Spray – Best Baby Sunscreen for Reapplication
- SPF 70
- Wet skin application
- Water resistant to 80 minutes
- Spray bottle
- Hypoallergenic
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Neutrogena’s special formula Wet Skin Kids Sunscreen Spray is the best choice when it comes to reapplication. It is a very useful and well-designed product that deserves recognition.
Since you can spray this baby sunscreen directly onto your baby, it is extremely easy and convenient to use. This is great when it comes to babies and excited kids anxiously awaiting getting in the water or running around in the sun.
- Hypoallergenic formula is good for sensitive skin
- Can be applied directly to wet skin
- Spray bottle is very convenient and easy to use
- SPF 70 protection guarantees safety for your little one’s delicate skin
- Only needs to be reapplied after every 80 minutes of water play
- Not suitable for use in babies under the age of 6 months
Neutrogena hit the nail on the head with this incredible product. They solved a big issue when they created a great baby sunscreen that can be quickly and easily applied to wet skin and still be completely effective. Speaking of effective, SPF 70 is hard to beat and makes this baby sunscreen really stand out.
Baby Sunscreen Buying Guide
There aren’t many things more important in our roles as parents than protecting our children. That protection comes in many forms and one of them includes protecting them from the harmful rays of the sun. Since the sun can be so damaging, it falls on our shoulders as parents to find the best sunscreen possible for our little one’s safety. We know how busy parents usually are and wanted to provide you with this quick guide on how to choose the perfect baby sunscreen for your family. This way you can do all your research in one convenient place to save you time, hassle, and stress.
Things to Consider Before Buying a Baby Sunscreen
When you are trying to decide what baby sunscreen options are good ones and if a specific baby sunscreen is the best choice for your family, there are a few important factors that you should take into account.
SPF
This is the most obvious difference among varying sunscreen options. Every sunscreen has a different SPF number. To understand why this is relevant, you need to first know what the SPF of a sunscreen actually means. SPF stands for sun protection factor. These numbers are a measurement of the percentage and duration of time that the sunscreen will effectively block harmful rays of the sun.
While a higher SPF is technically more effective, the difference after an SPF of 30 is pretty miniscule. SPF 30 sunscreen blocks about 97% of UVB rays and under conditions where you would typically get a sunburn in under half an hour, it will protect you for up to 10 hours. For these reasons, as long you are choosing something with an SPF of 30 or more, you should have adequate protection. However, it never hurts to be extra cautious if you want to go for the higher SPF, especially when spending lots of time outdoors with your little one in the sun.
Water Resistance
Each baby sunscreen is also rated with a certain level of water-resistance. The water-resistance ratings are based on the amount of time that you can wear the sunscreen in the water or while sweating without having to reapply. There is a maximum FDA water-resistance approval of 80 minutes. Choose the level of water resistance you prefer based on how often you are willing to reapply the sunscreen when your baby is in the water or sweating considerably.
Safety
Safety is always an important thing to consider when choosing products for our children. When it comes to sunscreen, the most important safety factor to consider is the age of your baby. Not all baby sunscreens are necessarily safe for babies under the age of 6 months. If it contains sun blocking ingredients other than just zinc oxide, it is best to only use it on babies above the age of 6 months.
Application Method
Finally, consider which application method of baby sunscreen that you most prefer. There are several methods with the most popular options being lotions and sprays. There are also sticks and creams. Choose whatever you think will serve your needs best and go from there. This is a personal decision as some people prefer lotions where precision is guaranteed while others prefer sprays where convenience trumps.
Baby Sunscreen FAQ
No. Sunscreens are made in all different ways with different ingredients. Not all sunscreens are safe for babies and not even all baby sunscreens are safe for babies under the age of 6 months.
Your baby doesn’t necessarily always have to wear sunscreen, but it is certainly a good idea anytime they will be in the sun for more than just a moment. Sun exposure greatly increases the risk of skin cancer and using sunscreen among other methods to reduce exposure to UVA and UVB rays is the best way to protect your little one from this risk.
SPF actually doesn’t matter as much as sunscreen companies may want you to think. It is definitely relevant, but some sunscreens nowadays upcharge for sunscreens at ridiculously high SPF ratings when they only make a very minute difference in effectiveness. Stick with an SPF of at least 30, but other than that, don’t worry too much. If you are consistently exposing your child to lots of sun, especially during the hottest parts of the day, it can never hurt to go with a higher SPF such as 50 or even 70.
If your baby has little to no hair, putting sunscreen on their scalp is a must. The head, especially the top of the head is one of the most exposed areas of a baby to the sun and it is important to protect the delicate skin all over their bodies. Even if your baby does have plenty of hair, it will only protect them somewhat. It can still be a good idea to put some sunscreen on their scalp, especially where their hair parts.
Read our useful guide: How to Keep Your Baby Cool and Safe This Summer.
Final Words
Baby sunscreen is an extremely important product that all parents should have on hand for their little one’s safety. Skin cancer is a real threat and is devastatingly common. Exposure to the sun’s harmful UVA and UVB rays can have serious negative impacts on your baby and increases their chance of skin cancer.
Take this very real threat seriously and protect your children from the sun’s harmful rays. You can do this in several ways. Try limiting exposure to the sun – especially during the hottest times of the day. Put your child in clothing that covers more of their body. Keep your child in a hat that protects their scalp. Last, but certainly not least, find a great baby sunscreen for your family and use it properly and according to all directions.