The Very Best Baby Sunscreens

Finding a baby sunscreen that is suitably tailored to your little one’s needs is so important, but with a huge selection of sun protection formulas for the face and body to choose from, narrowing down the ideal baby product can become a very daunting challenge. If you're feeling baffled as to what ingredients should actually be going on your baby’s skin, then you're certainly not the only parent out there.

Of course, the best way to protect that delicate skin of theirs is to limit the time spent in the sun as much as possible, but on a family holiday that is usually easier said than done. With the NHS advising that young infants and babies should be wearing sunscreen between March and October in the UK, you may want to start thinking of which sunscreen will best suit your baba’s skin. But which formula won’t upset that gentle baby skin, or aggravate skin conditions such as eczema and psoriasis?

We’ve selected the top seven organic and non-organic sun protection products to keep your baba’s skin looking and feeling as soft as, well, a baby’s bottom. Step outside safe in the knowledge that your precious little one’s skin is fully protected and ready to take on the day - and if you need any more help, just head over to our complete guide to children's sun protection!

1. Ultrasun Mineral Baby SPF 50 Lotion

Ultrasun is a firm favourite when it comes to selecting a decent sunblock for all of the family. Don't let unwanted sunburn ruin your little one's holiday this year; instead, use the Ultrasun Mineral Baby SPF 50 Lotion to protect your baby for happy, healthy results. SPF50 protects against UVA and UVB rays, preventing the likes of sun damage and prickly heat reactions. But, what makes this sunscreen truly unique is its high-tech, water-resistant, non-sticky dry finish which allows an effortless application to wriggling tiny tots.

Ultrasun Mineral Baby SPF 50 Lotion

£22.40 £30.04 (26% off)Sold out

2. Heliocare 360 Pediatric Mineral SPF 50+

For use on babies and children from 6 months old on the face and body, this light, hydrating fluid from Heliocare is easy to apply and leaves skin feeling silky without any white residue. It is suitable for sensitive and atopic skin, and for use around sensitive eyes. It is sand resistant (which means protection doesn’t rub off on contact with sand) and very water resistant, just what you need to protect your child!

Heliocare 360 Pediatric Mineral SPF 50+

£24.80 £31.00 (20% off)Add to Bag

3. Evy Sunscreen Mousse SPF 30 Kids

Another sunscreen ideal for sensitive skin is this paraben- and fragrance-free mousse from EVY that sinks quickly into the skin. Babies from six months and those with sensitive, pale, eczema-prone and sun-allergic skin will love this dermatologist-recommended and water-resistant formula.

Evy Sunscreen Mousse SPF 30 Kids

£20.00 £25.00 (20% off)Add to Bag

4. Bioderma Photoderm Kid SPF 50+ Spray

For babies over 12 months, you can get high protection from this sunscreen spray from Bioderma, which uses a patented complex to reinforce the skin's natural defence system against solar radiation. Highly water-resistant, this spray will keep your baby's skin calm, healthy and protected even if bathing and swimming.

Bioderma Photoderm Kid SPF 50+ Spray

£15.44 £22.00 (30% off)Add to Bag

5. Riemann P20 Sun Protection Kids SPF 50+

This hypoallergenic, gentle cream formula provides high UVA/UVB protection for up to ten hours and is even water resistant for up to three hours, perfect for pool- and sea-side holidays. And with its fast absorption and easy application, it's ideal for wriggly kiddies impatient to start playing in the sun.

Riemann P20 Sun Protection Kids SPF 50+

£18.72 £22.08 (16% off)Add to Bag

6. La Roche-Posay Dermo-Pediatrics Baby Lotion SPF 50+

Containing optimal UVA/UVB protection and a photostable filtering system, this gentle formula exceeds the EU recommendation for UVA protection, making it the new holy grail sunscreen for your baby. Despite its powerful properties, the Anthelios Dermo-Baby SPF 50+ is soft on skin, thanks to infused naturally derived shea butter which nourishes that precious baby skin. We love its comfortable texture and durability – perfect for babies on the move!

La Roche-Posay Dermo-Pediatrics Baby Lotion SPF 50+

£12.00 £15.00 (20% off)Sold out

Of course, it's important to make sure your skin is protected from those harmful rays, too. So why not check out The Top 5 Pro-Ocean Sun Lotions and The Best After Sun Products?

Sun Protection for Kids FAQs

What is the best sun cream for kids?

Family holidays in sunny locations are one of the highlights of growing up, so nothing should deter you from jetting off to Spain or somewhere more exotic in the summer months. However, whilst we're enjoying drinks by the pool or lounging around on the golden sands of the beach, it's easy to forget to protect your skin. And if you forget, your children definitely will.

Luckily, we haven't forgotten about your sun care needs here at Cosmetify. There are various brands that tailor specific formulas purposely designed for children. SPF ratings of 50 and 30 cater to all skin types, tones and ages, catering to the pale skin of a six-year-old or the dark complexion of a teenager.

Nivea, Ambre Solaire and Calypso offer powerful sun protection for children of all ages, coming in bright coloured bottles so you don't forget to put them in your beach bag. Two bottles should last one child for a week long holiday, maybe one bottle per child if you're careful. A bottle costs less than £10 which represents great value for money for a week of protected skin and a stress-free mind.

If you want more recommendations, read our blog on the best baby sunscreens.

Can you use sun cream on a baby?

You should never use sun cream on a baby less than six months old. Ideally, you want to keep your baby out of direct sunlight for the first six months of its life, otherwise its sensitive skin is exposed to the harmful UV rays of the sun. Baby skin doesn't fully mature until its 32 weeks old, which means its particularly susceptible to burning and damage to the skin.

Obviously, you don't want your child to spend its first six months permanently stuck inside. It's best to take your child out with a pram fully covering its body, and doing so on a cloudy or overcast day. If the sun comes out during the day, make sure your child is fully covered and wearing a sun hat if necessary.

When your child reaches six months or older, you can now apply sun cream of a high rating. We suggest SPF30 and a lotion that is rich in minerals to nourish and soothe your child's skin whilst simultaneously protecting it.

What factor sun cream should my child use?

With so much information online about the damage of harmful UV rays and which sun protection lotion you should use, it's hard to know what to believe. Whilst we're no dermatology experts here at Cosmetify, we do know that when it comes to sun protection, it's better to be safe than sorry.

When it comes to choosing which sun protection product to buy, there are two elements to consider: SPF and UVA Star Rating. SPF relates to protecting against UV rays, whereas UVA measures the amount of UVA radiation protection. Your child's skin is likely to be more sensitive and prone to burning, therefore we recommend using a SPF rating of 50 to fully prevent UV rays from penetrating their skin. The UVA rating is typically placed on the back of the bottle - a rating of four or five stars represents the best value.

If your child is a touch older, around the mid teens or older, and has darker skin, then they can usually get away with using SPF30, though it's best to have another bottle of factor 50 just in case.

Can I use adult sun cream on a child?

Children have more sensitive skin than adults, therefore the sun cream they need has to be tailored towards sensitive skin, otherwise it will lead to irritation, redness and bumps. Most child sun cream contains more minerals, which produce a calming and soothing effect on your child's skin. If you've run out of child sun cream and you only have adult sun cream left, then that's better than no sun cream at all, however, it may lead to irritation on your child's skin.

Many brands now cater to children, offering specific formulas that are purposely designed to nourish and protect their skin. Your child is unlikely to pay too much attention to their sun protection bottle, so you may have to constantly remind them to reapply, or just do it yourself.

Make sure you use a thick layer of sun cream each time, especially on particularly sunny and warm days. Sweat dissolves sun protection potently, so a thick layer will last for longer.