Suggestions for a Safe, Natural Sunscreen for Baby

We use California Baby for my sensitive skin/eczema 3 year old and also for my 4 month old if necessary (for example when we went to Idlewild - there's no way to keep him out of the sun the whole time).

Target sells it now too, for slightly less that at Whole Foods.

Hi Ali, I have always used Water Babies. In fact, my girls are now teens and use Water Babies spf50 when they are at Band Camp (outside from 8am til 4pm every day for two weeks!) It works well and they have never had any reaction to it. The most important part of sun screen is using LOTS of it frequently! Best wishes.

I just saw a segment about what sunscreen to use on a 5-month old on a morning show, so I know the answer to this one. None. Because a baby that young should not be exposed to the sun. Keep your baby in the shade or the stroller hood down when out for a walk. Babies' skin is too young and sensitive for exposure to the elements or lotions and potions unecessarily. So, your mom instincts were right.

You could also try California Baby brand. I have used Badger brand (available at Whole Foods and online) and Burt's Bees (CVS), both of which I think both use natural ingredients although some of the Burts Bees formulas are a bit difficult to spread (i.e. don't absorb too well) making them difficult for a toddler, but perhaps okay for a 5 month old. Also, a good website to check out is (with the caveat that it makes everything seem pretty awful for you!): http://www.cosmeticsdatabase.com/special/sunscreens2008/f...

Not sure if this has been mentioned, but we use coconut oil for all of us. We apply liberally and it does a great job. Our 14mo doesn't even have a farmer's tan and he's out at parks/pools/etc every day.

Hey Ali
I use an all natural product from a wellness company online. Here are 2 sites for you to check out before deciding on what brand to use.
For chemicals in many products including toothpaste, shampoo,cosmetics,lotions etc www.safecosmeticdatabase.com
just enter the site and put in a company name to see how dangerous their products may be.
The other site is www.formykidssake.com

Both of my little guys (2.5 and 7 months) have fair, senstive skin. My pediatrician suggested Baby Aveeno and it's working wonderfully.

I love California Baby and also Earth's Best. Although both are a bit pricey.

I agree with the previous posters: Neutrogena Baby or Sensitive (or any other that only uses zinc oxide or titanium dioxide as sunscreen ingredients). They are the only thing my toddler with eczema can use without a reaction.

Coconut oil is NOT a sunscreen. Oil makes you absorb the sun better (any oil)--remember when we used to rub down with baby oil to lay out and tan?

And yes, the AAP says NO sun exposure for kids under 6 months, but we all know that's nearly impossible.

I would check with your pediatrician for suggestions. I believe they will tell you that you need a 30 or higher level spf sunscreen even on a baby under 6 mos. if he/she is going to be spending a decent period of time outdoors.

I second looking on www.cosmeticdatabase.com, and California Baby.
Arbonne was recommended here and my dd had a reaction.
I don't believe that coconut oil has sunscreen (?) although I hear it has some wonderful other uses.

You need a pysical sunscreen (the one that has zinc and titanium dioxide). This one doesn't get absorbed by the skin. There are many out there for babies (coppertone, Jason organic, aveeno) Since he is only 5 months, ask your doctor first.

I use Jason Naturals mineral sunblock on my little ones (used it on my son when he was a BABY last year). I also like California Baby & Albee (I think that's what it is).

I just go to my local health food store to get them most of the time, but you can get them @ Giant & Wegmans in the natural foods sections.

At the risk of this sounding like a sales pitch---with a baby that young, he really shouldn't be out in the sun at all & sunscreens can be ineffective prior to 6 mos. Using something like a Solarveil sling to carry him in, along with a wide-brimmed hat would be much safer & more effective. Solarveil has an SPF raing of 70+!!!!

I do have them available on my site (which is below if you're interested) & I do offer Mamasource members 15% off w/ coupon code "mamasource". Just FYI!

Hope that helps!
A.
www.ThingaMaSling.com

My 5-year-old son has very fair, sensitive skin with eczema, so I have always had to be careful about what sunscreen we use. My favorite is California Baby. Have to really rub it in or it will look white on the skin. It's based on the same stuff lifeguards use. You can find it at Whole Foods or sometimes Target. If you can't find it or it's too expensive, my stand-bys are Neutrogena Sensitive Skin or Aveeno.

I like the new water babies pure and simple sunscreen. It's dye and fragrance free and stays on all day. Some of the other all natural ones I tried washed right off as soon as they got wet and didn't work at all.

check with your doctor. I believe you are not to use suntan lotion atleast before 6 months.

I would think you would want something with lots of zinc... zinc isn't absorbed by the skin.

I've never had a problem with the banana boat tear free stuff with my girls, even when they were babies. I'm not sure if that has too many chemicals for you though.

I love Arbonne products www.arbonne.com. They have a great baby line for sensitive skin. There ABC SunScreen SPF 30+ for higher protection is wonderful. Arbonne uses Oat, aloe, and shea butter oils in there formulation. And this can be used for adults with sensitive skin as well. Good Luck and I am positive you will be pleased with the Arbonne Baby Care line. ID #17442248 J. Nelson

Hi Ali,

I use Avon Skin So Soft sun/bug guard. It is an SPF 30 and also has the bug guard but is deet free. It is also blue so my daughter (who is 2) thinks it's fun to turn herself blue until you rub it in and the color goes away. I like it b/c I can protect her from the sun and bugs without only one application. I hope that helps.

D.

I have been using California Baby. I found it at whole foods and it is very expensive but it's natural and seems to work really well for my toddler. We used it last year all summer too. I personally had tried blue lizard and I did get sunburned after it had been applied to my skin - just an FYI.

We were told to keep our daughter out of direct sun for the first year of her life, and that sunscreens really don't work on newborn skin until sometime after 6 months old (something to do with the active ingredient in sunblock not working with their "chemistry"?). When we finally put sunblock on her, we started with Aveeno and introduced other baby brands depending on cost. My daughter has very sensitive skin, so no matter what we use, we have be sure to wipe it off with soap and water before nap/bedtime or she will have a reaction to anything.

Remember - find something that works and isn't necessarily the most expensive as you want to use a full ounce of sunblock or more each time you are outside for any length of time! We use sunblock if we plan to be outside for longer than 15 minutes...

Last summer I used Aveeno Baby, and we really liked it. I wanted one with less chemicals, but the Jason organic brand ran into his eyes. This summer Neutrogena came out with pure and free baby sunblock lotion. I picked it up at Walmart. It has the titanium dioxide and zinc oxide. Supposed to be better than those with the chemicals. I did look at some other brands on-line, but went with Neutrogena. I do like it so far. Let me know if you find something you really like. I'm open to switching!

I have a 7 month old and have been using Baby Lizard, by Blue Lizard. It is a little pricy but really does the job. It is chemical and freagrance free. When you first put it on it has that white sunscreen film, but goes away in a few minutes. Hope this helps.

A pediatric dermatologist told me to use Baby Lizard (CVS sells it-pink bottle). It only has 2 ingredients and, being oxides, do not absorb into the blood stream. I have used it on both of my kids exculsively from the newborn age. My daughter also has sensitive skin and has no problem with it. I HIGHLY recommend it!