• Kim Arrington Johnson in Health

How Safe is Sunscreen? Best Sunscreens for Kids

The best sunscreen for children is a hat and sun shirt (and shade, of course.) After that, there are many types of sunscreens to choose from. However, what sunscreens are both safe and effective for kids?

Let’s take a “parent’s dive“ into the world of sunscreen (not too much info, but enough to understand what we’re putting on our kids), including the good, the bad, and practical considerations of sunscreens. Some of the information might surprise you.

The Good

Sunscreens Work. Use them.

Both chemical and mineral-based sunscreens protect our skin from the sun’s harmful rays. Some of the chemical ingredients under review have been used for decades.

The Bad

Chemical ingredients in sunscreens are under review by FDA in 2019, and some of the ingredients in sunscreens are being evaluated for use in and around coral reefs.

What is the FDA’s rationale behind the extra scrutiny on ingredients? According to agency officials, we now know more about how chemical ingredients get absorbed into the skin, and we are using these products a lot more today in larger quantities (study in JAMA.)

Other organizations, such as the government and legislative bodies protecting coral reefs, are also banning certain chemical sunscreen ingredients.

  • Hawaii: In May 2019, the state of Hawaii passed legislation banning over-the-counter sunscreens containing oxybenzone and octinoxate.
  • Key West: Key West also banned the same ingredients, oxybenzone and octinoxate, to protect the Great Florida Reef.

The Practical

Wearing sunscreen is more important than analyzing ingredients, but we are learning more.

Sunscreen 101: Chemical vs. Physical Barrier

Sunscreens are classified as Over-the-Counter (OTC) drugs with the FDA, and they are to be differentiated into “physical barrier” and “chemical” categories.

  • Mineral-based formulas, or physical barrier sunscreens: these sit on top of the skin and reflect the sun’s UV rays. The minerals zinc oxide and titanium dioxide are preferred to chemical formulas, since they are not absorbed into the skin. Zinc oxide is preferred to titanium dioxide, due to its broad-spectrum coverage, although many “natural” sunscreens contain both. The rub with physical barrier sunscreens? Mineral sunscreens often leave a white film that many find difficult to rub into the skin.
  • Chemical sunscreens: these sunscreen formulas get absorbed into the skin. The chemical formulas then absorb the UV rays, convert them to heat, and release them from the body.

Is Sunscreen Safe? 2019 FDA Review of Sunscreen Ingredients

There are currently 16 active ingredients allowed in sunscreen. A 2019 FDA update on sunscreen regulation proposes that:

  • Only two ingredients – zinc oxide and titanium dioxide – are generally recognized safe and effective.
  • Two ingredients – PABA and trolamine salicylate – are no longer generally recognized safe (thankfully, you won’t find either of these ingredients in sunscreen sold legally in the U.S.)
  • There isn’t enough information to decide whether the remaining 12 are safe and effective at this time. The FDA is gathering more information.
    • Ingredients commonly used in the U.S.: ensulizole, octisalate, homosalate, octocrylene, octinoxate, oxybenzone, avobenzone.
    • Ingredients not frequently used in the U.S.: cinoxate, dioxybenzone, meradimate, padimate O, sulisobenzone.
EWG Sunscreen Guide

The Bad: Concerns About Oxybenzone

The most common chemical sunscreens typically include a combination of two to six of the following active ingredients: oxybenzone, avobenzone, octisalate, octocrylene, homosalate and octinoxate. Oxybenzone is most often flagged as the most worrisome member of the group, due to concern that it gets absorbed through the skin more than once thought and it is potentially an endocrine disruptor (interfering with the normal functioning of hormones, including estrogen.) For this reason, the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) advises against using sunscreens with oxybenzone, if possible, because the endocrine systems of fetuses, infants, and children are rapidly growing and developing.

The AAP advises parents to avoid using sunscreens with oxybenzone on children, if possible, because of concerns about mild hormonal properties.

Another report in the journal Reproductive Toxicology suggests that pregnant women who use sunscreen with oxybenzone daily might absorb enough of the chemical to increase the risk of a birth defect called Hirschsprung’s disease, a condition in which children are missing nerves in the lower colon or rectum, preventing normal stool movement through the bowel.

Sunscreen Ingredients to Minimize or Avoid (for those concerned about chemical exposure)

  • Chemical ingredients: oxybenzone first, then avobenzone and octinoxate.
  • Titanium dioxide nanoparticles (tiny particles that penetrate the skin and cause inflammation; look for “non-nano” mineral sunscreens)
  • Spray sunscreen (flammable; risks of inhalation with children)
  • Retinyl palmitate or retinol (good when used for anti-aging properties at night, bad when retinol meets the skin and the sun)
  • Parabens (preservatives linked to hormone disruption)

Also, check your child’s sunscreen ingredients in the EWG Skin Deep database. Make sure that your precise sunscreen is on the list, as desired. Note: Some brands will game the system by creating one or two formulas with a “1” or “2” low hazard rating and then market the whole line as “EWG rated and approved.”

Why are babies and young children more sensitive to chemicals in sunscreen?

Babies and young children have sensitive skin that is easily irritated by the chemicals in adult sunscreens, and infant skin is three to five times thinner than adult skin. Look for sunscreens that protect against both UVA rays (responsible for skin cancer) and UVB rays (responsible for sunburn), also called broad-spectrum protection. Know that if you see an SPF above 50, it is likely a chemical-based sunscreen.

Some Form of Sunscreen is Better Than No Sunscreen

Keep in mind that even with recent news coverage about chemical sunscreens, experts agree that applying sunscreen to protect against sunburn and skin cancer outweighs the risks of chemical ingredients. Just a few blistering sunburns as a child can double your chances of developing a serious form of skin cancer, and more people are diagnosed with skin cancer each year in the U.S. than all other cancers combined. One in five Americans will develop skin cancer by the age of 70.

Furthermore, large physician groups, such as the American Academy of Dermatology, are still recommending chemical sunscreens for reducing the risk of skin cancer, preventing sunburn, and decreasing the signs of aging on your skin.

Best Sunscreen Recommendations for Babies and Kids (from the Environmental Working Group)

The Environmental Working Group offers 27 sunscreens as their “Best Scoring Sunscreens for Kids.” However, that is way too many sunscreens to sort through, so here are some of the more affordable and/or well-reviewed brands.

The following contains affiliate links.

Here are the brands individually (all with an overall score of “1” and a green rating for ingredient hazards and UV protection; they also had to pass the 2019 FDA proposed standards.)

Aveeno Baby Continuous Protection Sensitive Skin Zinc Oxide Sunscreen Lotion, SPF 50

Badger Active Baby Natural Mineral Sunscreen Cream, SPF 30 (scores high for ingredients and efficacy with EWG and Consumer Reports)

Blue Lizard Australian Sunscreen Lotion, Baby, SPF 30+

Coppertone Pure & Simple Kids Sunscreen Lotion, SPF 50

Goddess Garden Kids Mineral Sunscreen Lotion, SPF 50

Neutrogena Pure & Free Baby Mineral Sunscreen Lotion, SPF 50 (the stick is also well-reviewed; gets a 3 on EWG)

Supergoop! Sunnyscreen Lotion, Babies + Kiddos, SPF 50

thinkbaby Sunscreen Lotion, SPF 50+ (First sunscreen to pass Whole Foods Premium Care requirements, but expensive for bigger kids.)

Some of the EWG’s Worst and Most Toxic Sunscreens (marketed to kids):

Click on the link to see the reasoning behind the score.

Amazon Best-Selling Sunscreen August 2019

Other EWG “Red Zone” Sunscreens (scoring 7-10, not kid-specific)

Click on the link to see the reasoning behind the score. Note: The blue-bottle Ultra Sheer Neutrogena scores surprised me, as well. I really like the “feel” of the sheer sprays. Ugh.

Best 2019 Sunscreens (According to Consumer Reports)

Here are the Consumer Reports Best Sunscreens of 2019, in categories:

  • Best lotion
  • Best spray
  • Best sunscreen without oxybenzone
  • Best mineral sunscreen

Note: Consumer Reports prioritizes efficacy over ingredients. This is the statement on their testing criteria: “We check to see how well sunscreens protect against the types of rays that cause sunburn, skin cancer, and skin aging—and whether you can trust the SPF number on the label.”

Best Lotion Sunscreens

La Roche-Posay Anthelios 60 Melt-in Sunscreen Milk

BullFrog Land Sport Quik Gel SPF 50 sunscreen

Best Spray Sunscreens

Trader Joe’s SPF 50 Spray Sunscreen (*buy this at TJ’s for $6, not Amazon for $16-17)

Banana Boat SunComfort Clear UltraMist Spray SPF 50+ sunscreen

Best Sunscreens Without Oxybenzone

Walgreens Hydrating Lotion SPF 50 (buy at Walgreen’s)

Hawaiian Tropic Sheer Touch Ultra Radiance Lotion SPF 50 sunscreen

Best Mineral Sunscreens

Badger Active Baby Natural Mineral Sunscreen Cream, Unscented SPF 30

California Kids #supersensitive Lotion SPF 30+ sunscreen

Note on mineral sunscreens: I am including the following quote from Consumer Reports to help you think more about the efficacy of sunscreens. Because of the thick, white film of mineral sunscreens, parents can often be lead to think that these sunscreens are superior for UVA and UVB protection (i.e., thinking that you might need less, or thinking it’s expensive therefore it must work better, etc.) However, after years of in depth testing, Consumer Reports has found the opposite to be true.

“Year after year in our tests, the sunscreens that contain titanium dioxide and zinc oxide—so-called mineral or natural sunscreens— as active ingredients do not perform as well as the ones that contain chemical active ingredients. But if you are concerned about chemical exposure and prefer to use a mineral sunscreen, a few mineral products in our tests received Good Overall Scores. ” 

Consumer Reports

Sunscreen Tips and Tricks

Enjoy playing outside!
  • Wear swim shirts, clothing, hats, and sunglasses with UV protection.
  • Seek shade between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m.
  • Choose a physical sunscreen with zinc oxide and titanium dioxide, if possible.
  • Always select a sunscreen with UVA and UVB protection.
  • Choose SPF (Sun Protection Factor) 30 or higher. Remember that SPF protection does not increase proportionally with the SPF number (e.g., SPF 30 absorbs 97% of the sun’s rays, while SPF 50 just 98%.)
  • Be generous when using sticks (studies show that consumers apply too little sunscreen and underestimate effective protection when using sticks.)
  • Expiration dates: The FDA requires that all sunscreens retain their original strength for at least three years. However, if the expiration date has passed, throw it out.
  • Apply early: your skin can take up to 30 minutes to absorb sunscreen.
  • Re-apply every 2 hours, says MD Anderson. Every 60-90 minutes if swimming, sweating, or using a spray.

I hope this provided a fairly balanced look at sunscreens and that we all feel a little more knowledgeable. Do you have any additional sunscreen tips to add?

Related content: What is Your Skin Care Routine? Skin Care Tips and Tricks

Kim Arrington Johnson:
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