With summer comes more time spent out in the sun. It means longer days by the pool, on the beach, next to a river or lake. Or it can mean fun times at amusement parks, hiking, biking and playing at parks. Even if it’s simply our kids playing around outside in the neighborhood. All these things mean more sun more of the day.

How do we best protect ourselves from the sun? The answer can’t be stay inside, because that just isn’t feasible. Honestly we need some sun each day because it helps our bodies by aiding in the production of Vitamin D. There does come a point where you are getting too much sun though. Also sometimes due to medications we are taking or just genetics we have extra sensitive skin so sun exposure needs to be limited even more.

The best way to reduce sun exposure is to cover up as much as possible and to avoid it. So spend time in the shade or make shade if there isn’t natural shade available. So that means bringing an umbrella or canopy. Wearing long sleeves, pants, and wide brimmed hats. That all sounds well and good, but in reality when it comes to kids that’s not going to happen. If it’s hot out they like anyone else will want to be wearing as little as possible.

That means sunscreen for our kids. After all you don’t want your little ones to be getting sunburned. Unfortunately there are many sunscreens sold in the US that have toxic ingredients like oxybenzone, avobenzone, octisalate, octocrylene, homosalate, and octinoxate which have been shown to disrupt or mimic hormones. Benzophenone, also know as oxybenzone is an endocrine disruptor that’s specifically not recommended to be used on kids, and is known to be a skin allergen in many people. Retinyl palmitate, a form of Vitamin A is also found in some of the sunscreens and may harm skin and lead to tumors. Not to mention the fact that according the Environmental Working Group (EWG) 2017 Report on Sunscreen around 75% of sunscreens on the market are not beneficial.

Things to consider when looking for a sunscreen for your kids:

• Look for one that has SPF (UVB) and UVA protection. Unfortunately unlike other countries our sunscreen doesn’t have to contain ingredients that protect us from UVA rays. They block the UVB which helps protect us against burning, but the UVA that penetrates deeper in our skin is still getting through creating free radicals, suppressing the immune system and adding to potential skin damage.
• Avoid SPF’s higher that 50+, like the 70+ and 100 SPF. Above 50 is really not that helpful, and won’t protect more UVA either as the US hasn’t approved the broad spectrum ingredients to provide it. It really just means there are more chemicals being absorbed through your skin into your blood, urine and breast milk (for mommies).
• It’s recommended to avoid the spray sunscreens. They are more difficult to get a good layer of protection spread on your skin versus a lotion. Also you have a better chance of inhaling some of the chemicals from the sunscreen that can cause internal problems.
• When using mineral based sunscreen avoid spraying it or inhaling it. Also mineral sunscreens contain nanoparticals which can cross the blood brain barrier so they are not completely toxin free. These sunscreens seem to contribute to damage of aquatic life like coral.

I don’t want to leave you bewildered not having a clue as what to get to protect your little ones. So here’s a list of top kid friendly sunscreens, and worst sunscreens for kids.

Top Kid Friendly Sunscreens in 2017

• Adorable Baby Sunscreen Lotion, SPF 30+
• All Good Kid’s Sunscreen, SPF 30
• All Terrain KidSport Sunscreen Lotion, SPF 30
• Aveeno Baby Continuous Protection Sensitive Skin Lotion Sunscreen, SPF 50
• Babytime! by Episenical Sunny Sunscreen, SPF 35
• Badger Baby Sunscreen Cream, SPF 30
• Bare Republic Mineral Sunscreen Lotion, Baby, SPF 50
• Blue Lizard Australian Sunscreen, Baby, SPF 30+
• BurnOut KIDS Sunscreen, SPF 35
• California Baby Super Sensitive Sunscreen, SPF 30+
• Caribbean Sol Sol Kid Kare, SPF 30
• Goddess Garden Organics Baby Natural Sunscreen Lotion, SPF 30
• Kiss My Face Organics Kids Sunscreen, SPF 30
• Neutrogena Pure & Free Baby Sunscreen, SPF 50
• Sunology Natural Sunscreen Kids, SPF 50
• Sunumbra Sunkids Natural Sunscreen, SPF 40
• ThinkSport Kids Sunscreen, SPF 50+
• Tom’s of Maine Baby Sunscreen Lotion, SPF 30
• TruKid Sunny Days Sport Sunscreen, SPF 30

Worst Sunscreens For Kids in 2017

• Banana Boat Kids Continuous Spray Sunscreen, SPF 100
• Banana Boat Kids Sunscreen Lotion, SPF 100
• Coppertone Foaming Lotion Sunscreen Kids Wacky Foam, SPF 70
• Coppertone Sunscreen Continuous Spray Kids, SPF 70
• Coppertone Sunscreen Lotion Kids, SPF 70
• Coppertone Sunscreen Lotion Water Babies, SPF 70+
• Coppertone Sunscreen Stick Kids, SPF 55
• Coppertone Sunscreen Stick Water Babies, SPF 55
• Coppertone Sunscreen Water Babies Foaming Lotion, SPF 70
• CVS Health Children’s Sunstick Sunscreen, SPF 55
• Equate Baby Sunscreen Lotion, SPF 70
• Neutrogena Pure & Free Baby Sunscreen, SPF 60+
• Neutrogena Wet Skin Kids Sunscreen Spray, SPF 70+
• Up & Up Kids Sunscreen Sticks, SPF 55

If you’d like to go all natural there are options as some ingredients like shea butter, carrot seed oil, almond oil. coconut oil, red raspberry seed oil and zinc oxide have SPF naturally. So you can whip up your own sunscreen like this recipe from WellnessMama.com

Homemade Sunscreen

• ½ cup almond or olive oil (can infuse with herbs first if desired)
• ¼ cup coconut oil (natural SPF 4)
• ¼ cup beeswax
• 2 Tablespoons Zinc Oxide (This is a non-nano version that won’t be absorbed into the skin. Be careful not to inhale the powder).
• Up to 1 teaspoon Red Raspberry Seed Oil– optional
• Up to 1 teaspoon Carrot Seed Oil– optional
• 2 tablespoons Shea Butter (natural SPF 4-5)- optional
• Optional: Essential Oils, Vanilla Extract or other natural extracts to suit your preference (Do not use citrus essential oils as they increase sun sensitivity)
  Click HERE for full instructions on how to make this sunscreen.

Thank you for reading this article on Top Sunscreens for Kids. If you have any questions or have ways that you like to reduce sun exposure for you or your children send me a message I’d love to hear from you.

References:

Sunscreens, EWG’s 2017 Guide to. “EWG’s 2017 Guide to Safer Sunscreens.” Home | EWG’s 2017 Guide to Sunscreens. N.p., n.d. Web. 13 June 2017.

“How to Make Natural Homemade Sunscreen | Wellness Mama.” Wellness Mama®. N.p., n.d. Web. 13 June 2017.

“5 Best Natural, Organic & Non-Toxic Sunscreens.” Natural Living Ideas. N.p., 04 Apr. 2017. Web. 13 June 2017.

“Nearly Half of U.S. Sunscreens Would Be Banned in Europe. Why? They Don’t Work.” Dr. Axe. N.p., 30 May 2017. Web. 13 June 2017.