10 Best Baby Sunscreens of 2025, Tested by Moms and Approved by Doctors

A favorite of WTE parents and editors alike is Thinkbaby SPF 50+ sunscreen uses zinc oxide as its active ingredient and is free of oxybenzone, parabens and phthalates. Unlike some mineral sunscreens which can be thick and hard to spread, Thinkbaby’s sunscreen goes on creamy and blocks 98 percent of UVB rays. It's also extra water-resistant because it lasts up to 80 minutes, so you can head to the pool with baby and know that she's protected. Another nice perk? It absorbs quickly, so your little one won't feel sticky or have a chalky residue on her skin after you apply.

Olivia DeLong, What to Expect's senior health editor, uses Thinkbaby for both herself and her daughter. "I did a lot of research during pregnancy and actually started using it then and loved it," she says. “It goes on super easily, and I always felt like my daughter was protected and I wasn't using anything with lots of chemicals or junk in it." She also notes that the lotion is great for covering her daughter's body, while she uses the stick format for her face, ears and neck.

I also tried Thinkbaby sunscreen (along with several other options) and found this one truly lives up to the hype. I appreciate that the formula is thick for easier application, but still goes on smoothly. It's also hypoallergenic which is great for children, like my daughter who has sensitive skin but requires regular sunscreen application. 

One minor downside is that it isn't readily available in drugstores, so you don't want to be caught without it on vacation. But given that it's often on sale, you can stock up at the start of summer and make it through the season burn-free.

Many WTE community members rave about Tubby Todd products for being gentle yet effective at tackling baby eczema, cradle cap and more. (The All Over Ointment is a true skincare MVP!) So it only makes sense that Tubby Todd’s Baby Sunscreen is always in their beach bags—and mine, too!

The mineral formula is creamy but not heavy, making it easy to smooth onto a wriggly little one. I also found that it rubs in beautifully — no white cast, no sticky mess and no dry feeling afterward. In fact, my daughter’s skin actually feels softer after we apply it. That’s likely thanks to nourishing ingredients like cacao seed butter, shea butter and coconut oil, which also give it a light, pleasant scent. Bonus: it passes the toddler sniff test (because let’s be real, many sunscreens are deemed “too stinky” — my daughter’s words, not mine).

Like all Tubby Todd products, a little goes a long way — great news for your wallet. And with up to 80 minutes of water resistance, I don’t have to interrupt playtime to reapply. Just be mindful of the lotion separating or clumping — if that happens, the EWG recommends discarding it due to efficacy concerns.

The only downside? You won’t find it in stores. Tubby Todd is currently sold out on the brand’s website, although you can find it available in bundles via the brand’s Amazon storefront ($60 for a sunscreen and two sunsticks).  if you’re running low, better hit “order” before your next sunny adventure!

Fragrances are common in sunscreen, but they can irritate baby’s delicate skin. Alba Botanica’s Mineral Sunscreen is totally unscented, so there’s no need to worry about a reaction due to synthetic or strong smells. In fact, many WTE community members give this brand a thumbs up for its transparency around ingredients. 

This sunscreen comes in the form of a creamy lotion with a titanium dioxide and zinc oxide base that rubs in easily. It feels surprisingly lightweight, but provides up to 80 minutes of SPF 30 protection in the water before you need to slather it on again. The EWG has no concerns about efficacy with this product, so you can use it with confidence until the expiration date.

Alba Botanica’s formula includes protective and moisturizing ingredients like niacinamide, squalene and vitamin E. It’s also gluten-free, in case that’s a concern for your little one, and non-comedogenic, so it won’t clog baby’s poress.  I like to use it on my face after I’ve slathered up my little one and have never had sunscreen-induced breakouts with it. 

Admittedly, it is a bit pricey, but a little truly goes a long way when it comes to this sunscreen. Plus, the cruelty-free formula is reef-safe, too. 

When baby is dressed from head to toe in sun-protective clothing, a few quick swipes of a sunscreen stick might be all you need to protect her exposed skin. "Sticks are especially nice for the face, as they are easier to control keeping out of the eyes," Dr. Perman says. What makes this Mustela Mineral Baby Sunscreen Stick stand out is that it goes on surprisingly smooth — thanks to the addition of organic ingredients like shea butter, avocado oil and jojoba — whereas other mineral sunscreen sticks can be thick and hard to spread.

After getting sunscreen in my daughter’s eyes one too many times, I made the switch to the Mustela stick for her face—and let me tell you, it was a game-changer. From that moment on, most of our sunscreen applications were tear-free.

I love how smoothly the stick glides on — no need to press hard, which is a win when dealing with a squirmy toddler. Plus, the tint makes it easy to see where it’s applied, without requiring extra rubbing (because we all know that rubbing + wiggly child = sunscreen in the eyes and tears for hours). This sunscreen stick is EWG Verified, which is the organization’s highest mark of approval.

The organic formula is also hypoallergenic and approved by the National Eczema Association, making it a great choice for sensitive skin. And bonus — it’s water-resistant for up to 80 minutes!

Badger’s Mineral Baby Sunscreen Cream is a gentle choice for your little one, featuring soothing ingredients like chamomile and calendula. This mild lotion offers peak protection for sensitive skin, along with a subtle scent.

This sunscreen mostly relies on zinc oxide to block UV rays, but that does mean it goes on thick. (Several parents point out that rubbing the lotion between your hands first allows it to glide on more easily.) Badger’s sunscreen has an impressively low EWG rating of 1, and the non-profit notes that it has zero concerns around efficacy.

Other important details include the fact that Badger’s sunscreen is water resistant for up to 80 minutes before needing a reapplication. The 2.9-ounce bottle is also TSA-friendly, in case you want to tote it along on vacation.

But perhaps the best part? Many high-quality baby sunscreens aren’t cheap, Badger is relatively affordable at $17 a bottle. That thicker formulation means you can get a lot out of a small amount, too.

Some sunscreens can leave skin feeling sticky or greasy, making baby slippery in your arms. But Stream2Sea Every Day Mineral Sunscreen rubs in like a regular lotion, keeping that slick feel at bay. But it’s also incredibly hydrating, thanks to ingredients like chamomile and calendula, making it an equally great option for little ones who are prone to dryness. 

This SPF 45 sunscreen is EWG Verified, relies on zinc oxide for protection and is water resistant for up to 80 minutes before you need to slather it on again. Stream2Sea also says its “wet boost technology” helps this sunscreen to perform even better after you get it wet. (Just apply it to dry skin to start!)

Stream2Sea Every Day Mineral Sunscreen is thick and it has a slight white cast when you first put it on — but that quickly fades, leaving a little shimmer behind. The 2.5-ounce container means this container is travel-safe, allowing you to pack it in your carry-on with no issue.

When you're slathering sunscreen on baby all day long, you want to make sure it's something that not only prevents sun damage, but moisturizes her skin as well. The Pipette Mineral Sunscreen contains sugarcane-derived squalane that makes it so it goes on smooth and will actually moisturize baby's skin. Unlike many mineral-based options, it's surprisingly lightweight while still providing a physical barrier around your little one's delicate skin. It also absorbs quickly, so your child isn't left with a white cast on her skin.

Christine Mattheis, Group VP of Content & Brand Solutions at What to Expect, found that many mineral sunscreens would severely dry out her daughter's cheeks, making them red and chapped. With Pipette, she finally found an option that worked. "No more redness, no more dryness — just soft, squishable cheeks," she says. "We have used Pipette sunscreen heavily for three years now, and Rose has never gotten a sunburn despite spending many hours outside." She also points out that unlike most mineral sunscreens, Pipette is a lightweight, non-sticky formula that rubs in and doesn't leave a white cast behind. Rated a 2 by EWG, this sunscreen uses zinc oxide for an active ingredient. EWG just recommends throwing out the bottle if the sunscreen clumps or separates over efficacy concerns.

One important thing to keep in mind is that Pipette is the only sunscreen on our list that isn't water-resistant. Because of this, you'll need to use a water-resistant option if your little one will be spending time in the pool or ocean.

While it’s unlikely your baby will be running laps in the sun, she is still going to sweat a little or get wet at some point. When that happens you want a good sport sunscreen that’ll prevent SPF from running into baby’s eyes and mouth. TruKid Sunny Days Sport Sunscreen Lotion is water-resistant up to 40 minutes before you have to even worry about reapplying. 

This sunscreen uses zinc oxide to block UV rays, but also features natural skin-pampering ingredients like aloe, coconut and jojoba oils to seal in moisture. While the sunscreen is technically unscented, those ingredients give it a pleasant, natural smell. TruKid Sunny Days also boasts an impressively low EWG rating of 1, with the nonprofit noting that it has no concerns about efficacy.

Contributing writer, Korin Miller, uses this on her youngest daughter whenever her family of five plans to be by the water all day. It’s consistently provided excellent protection without irritating her skin or running into her eyes. “TruKid is one of the few sunscreens my little one doesn’t mind wearing,” adds Miller. "It doesn’t have a funky smell and it rubs in easily. While the bottle looks small, the thick formula means you get a lot out of a little.” 

Because this sunscreen uses 20% zinc, it has a super thick consistency right out of the bottle. But that also means a little goes a long way (Miller's tip: just rub the sunscreen into your hands to thin it out before applying to baby’s skin).

Sharing sunscreen with the whole family is way more convenient, ultimately hogging less space in your beach or hiking bag. The Babo Botanicals Sensitive Baby Mineral Sunscreen Stick is a gentle formula that won’t irritate baby’s delicate skin — or yours. 

This sunscreen is EWG verified, relying on zinc oxide for protection. Yet it doesn’t leave behind the mineral compound’s signature white cast. Babo Botanicals also goes on easily with a slightly creamy feel that you won’t always get in a stick sunscreen.

Though not a widely recognized brand (yet!), Babo Botanicals is praised by plenty of parents in the WTE community for its clean ingredients and dependable formula. Its compact size makes it ideal for on-the-go touch-ups, too.

Unlike stick or spray sunscreens, which require pressure to apply, tin sunscreens offer a thick, smooth application. The Raw Elements Baby + Kids Mineral Sunscreen Cream Tin is a great example, providing a surprisingly creamy consistency in a large container, allowing for flexible application.

This sunscreen received a stellar rating of 1 from the EWG, and parents in the WTE community also lauded Raw Elements for its clean ingredients and gentleness on sensitive skin.

Raw Elements provides 80 minutes of water resistance, after which reapplication is necessary. However, be aware that this zinc oxide sunscreen can melt in the heat. To prevent this, Miller stores it in an extra container around the tin in her beach bag, although she’s also found that storing it in a cooler or shading it from direct sunlight helps. Overall, the convenient scoop-and-apply feature is a practical benefit for most families.

It’s not necessary, but this TikTok-approved sunscreen applicator has cut down on some major toddler meltdowns, making beach days with my 3-year-old a little more pleasant. Simply fill the handle with sunscreen, screw on the top, shake and go! The rollerball and sponge tip make distribution and rubbing in the sunscreen a breeze! Although I don’t use this to apply the main base of sunscreen, it’s great for touch-ups and my daughter enjoys using it — making her more patient during application.