Babyganics is recalling two of its popular sunscreens due to a "potential impurity" found in the products. The voluntary recall includes two types: the Babyganics Kids SPF 50+ Continuous Spray Mineral Sunscreen in Totally Tropical and Babyganics Kids SPF 50+ Rollerball Mineral Sunscreen in Totally Tropical.[1]
"Your ability to use our products with confidence is our top priority," Babyganics shared on Instagram. A follow-up post reiterates the recall and answers common questions customers may have.
The brand also created a website, babyganicssuncreenrecall.com, to give customers more information on the recall, as well as next steps they can take if they have the sunscreen in their homes.
- Babyganics recalled certain batches of its Kids Continuous Spray SPF 50 Totally Tropical and Kids SPF 50 Rollerball Totally Tropical sunscreens for a potential impurity.
- Parents who own affected products can throw them away and request a refund from Babyganics.
- It's still important to use sunscreen to protect your child's skin. Look for a broad spectrum option, preferably with zinc oxide or titanium dioxide.
The exact reason for the recall is vague, leaving some parents wondering how concerned they should be. I'm one of them. I have a bottle of the Babyganics Kids Continuous Spray SPF 50 Totally Tropical leftover from last summer, and it's hard to tell if I should be worried that my children have used it or just shrug it off.
Here's what doctors have to say about the recall, plus what you can do if you own any affected Babyganics products.
What to know about the Babyganics sunscreen recall
The voluntary recall is happening "out of an abundance of caution" because the affected products don't meet quality standards, per the recall website.
"Through our routine quality checks, we discovered the potential for an unintended impurity in the product that should not be present," a Babyganics spokesperson tells What to Expect. "Additional evaluations revealed no health or safety risks for consumers; However, we made the choice to recall the two specific products which may contain the impurity out of an abundance of caution."
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Impacted Babyganics Continuous Spray SPF 50+ Totally Tropical sunscreens have one of these UPC numbers:
- 810035921030
- 813277019800
- 813277019947
- 813277019930
- 813277019954
- 810035921139
The recalled Babyganics SPF 50+ Rollerball Totally Tropical sunscreens have one of these UPC numbers:
- 813277019923
- 813277019916
- 810035921450
You can find the UPC number underneath the product bar code. The recall does not include any other Babyganics sunscreens.
If you're unsure if your sunscreen is recalled, Babyganics has an online tool where you can enter your bottle's UPC number and batch code (found on the bottom of the can or roller ball) to check if you have an impacted product.
What should parents do if they own this sunscreen?
Babyganics is asking customers to throw out the impacted products or return them for a refund. (Visit babyganicssunscreenrecall.com for more information on how to get your money back.)
However, the brand says if you used any of the impacted sunscreens, the risk of harm is unlikely. "We believe the product remains safe and effective to use," the Babyganics spokesperson says.
If you're a little unsure of what to make of that, you're not alone. The messaging around the recall is confusing, agrees Ife J. Rodney, M.D., a pediatric and adult dermatologist. "The issue is that we don't know exactly what the impurity is," she says.
So what can you do? Don't panic, but don't use any impacted sunscreen, advises Gina Posner, M.D., a pediatrician at MemorialCare Medical Group in Fountain Valley, California and a member of the What to Expect Medical Review Board. Follow the brand recommendations and toss it (and request a refund, if you'd like).
If you have recently used one of the affected products, keep an eye out for any potential rash or irritation on your baby's skin, Dr. Rodney adds — just to be safe. "Baby skin is very delicate and sensitive," she explains. "The whole point of using these baby skincare brands is to have products that don't have too many ingredients or harsh ingredients that could irritate baby's skin."
Babyganics made it clear that the impacted products did not have an issue with effectiveness, so Dr. Rodney says there's no need to worry whether your child had harmful sun exposure.
Babies 6 months and up should use sunscreen on all exposed areas of the body; younger babies should stay out of direct sunlight, but you can apply a minimal amount when shade is not available. When it comes to picking a new sunscreen for your child, keep these recommendations from the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) in mind:[2]
- Choose a broad spectrum sunscreen with an SPF of at least 15.
- Do your best to avoid sunscreens with oxybenzone.
- Consider products that contain zinc oxide or titanium dioxide for sensitive areas of the body, like the nose, cheeks, tops of the ears and shoulders.
As for me, I've already tossed my Babyganics sunscreen, just to be safe. But warmer weather is coming — I'll be loading up on extra sunscreen for all that upcoming outdoor play soon enough.
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