Best sunscreens for kids, babies and toddlers: 9 suncreams to protect delicate skin

From March to October, it’s more important than ever to shield your child’s skin from the harsh sun. Nobody enjoys the painful experience of sunburn (which can happen in cloudy weather too), but prolonged sun exposure is especially harmful to babies and young children as they’re at risk of additional complications like heat stroke, dehydration and skin cancer later on.

While experts recommend that babies younger than six months avoid direct sunlight altogether, the best way to protect your older baby or young child’s skin from the sun’s UV rays is by using the best sunscreen for kids and dressing your little one in cool, comfortable, protective clothing and hats. Handheld fans can also be useful for keeping them cool on the go.

For children, the British Skin Foundation recommends using sunscreen with a minimum of an SPF 50 with broad-spectrum UVA and UVB protection. It’s important to apply around five teaspoons of sun cream or lotion at least 15 to 20 minutes before going out, and to remember to reapply every two hours, especially after swimming and sweating.

So, with all the sunscreens on the market, which is the best option for your little one? Finding the right formula can be tricky as every child has a different skin type and may react differently to specific ingredients in sunscreens. In other words, what works for one child may not work for another. However, parents on our Mumsnet forums still like to discuss which sunscreens are best for sensitive skin and share their views on everything from the texture of the cream or lotion to the scent, ease of use, and overall value for money. After all, there's nothing quite like an honest review from a real parent or carer.

The good news is that we’ve done the hard work for you and conducted thorough research to find the best sunscreens for kids, carefully evaluating the creams and lotions that come highly recommended by parents, consumers and dermatologists. Plus, we also have guides to the best cooling pillows and most efficient tower fans, so the whole family can keep their cool this summer.

What is the best sunscreen to use for children?

Based on our intensive research as well as reading countless reviews from parents who have personally used the product, the best overall sunscreen for children is La Roche-Posay Anthelios Dermo-Pediatrics Invisible Spray SPF50+.  This brand comes up more than any other in terms of being suitable for babies and children, plus it’s backed by dermatologists and is well tolerated by all skin types, particularly children with sensitive or eczema-prone skin.  It offers very high protection and comes with a UVA star rating of four.

Designed to hydrate as it protects, this light spreadable spray lotion absorbs quickly and doesn’t stain clothing – an additional bonus when you’re dealing with wriggly children who won’t stand still.

What SPF should you use on babies/toddlers and children?

According to the NHS, babies and toddlers need extra protection when in the sun, and babies under six months should be kept out of direct sunlight as much as possible. This is because their skin is much more sensitive than adult skin and repeated exposure to sunlight could lead to skin cancer later in life.

In the warmest months from March to October, The NHS advises the following:

• Children should wear at least an SPF 30 sunscreen. (The British Skin foundation suggests SPF 50).

• Children should be covered with suitable clothing

• Parents should ensure children have sunscreen on areas not protected by clothing such as the face, ears, feet and the backs of hands

• Children should spend plenty of time in the shade, particularly from 11am to 3pm

FDA officials have mirrored this advice in their recently updated sunscreen guidelines where they highlight the importance of using an SPF of at least 30 for children, as well as wearing clothing that protects the arms, mid-section and legs from UV rays, plus a hat that provides adequate shade while covering the whole head.

Which type of sunscreen is most effective?

Experts at the British Skin Foundation reiterate that SPF (which stands for sun protection factor) only refers to the sunscreen’s potential to block UVB rays and not UVA. Therefore, it’s important to look for a sunscreen that has a good UVA rating too (more on this below).

In a nutshell, SPF numbers, which range from two to 50, “Tell you the time the skin will take to redden with the sunscreen versus the amount of time it will take to redden without the sunscreen.” So, with an SPF 15 for instance, it would take your skin 15 times longer to go red as compared to having no sunscreen on. They also go on to explain that an SPF of 30 allows about 3% of UVB to penetrate the skin and SPF 50 about 2%.

Therefore, with regards to children’s sensitive skins, it makes sense that the higher the SPF you use, the better. Also remember to reapply every two hours (and every 90 minutes) if your child is swimming and using a towel to dry off.

In addition to the SPF, there are other factors to consider when looking for a good sunscreen you can use and rely on consistently:

• Application: Is the sunscreen easy to apply? For instance, if you’re using a spray bottle, does it spray from all angles and get to those hard-to-reach places?  Is it too thick to sink into the skin and/or too difficult to apply?

• Long-wearing: Does the formula get absorbed fast and is it water and sweat resistant? Or will it run into your child’s eyes and sting if applied to the forehead?

• Hypoallergenic: Many children are sensitive to sunscreens. If your child is prone to eczema or skin rashes, it’s important to look for a sunscreen that’s been specifically formulated for sensitive skins.

• Broad spectrum: For babies and children, it’s critical to choose a broad-spectrum sunscreen that protects against both UVA and UVB rays.

• Value for money: When considering your budget, of course you’ll want to find a sunscreen that ticks all your boxes and comes in a reasonably good-sized tube or bottle. Mumsnetters love Calypso Kids Sun Lotion SPF50+ for this very reason. Not only is it under £10 for 150ml, but the formula is also hypoallergenic, plus it’s non-greasy and water-resistant.

What does a UV rating on sunscreen mean?

The UV star rating on a sunscreen product is a measure of how much UVA is blocked. This is also referred to as a PA rating on some sunscreens, which stands for “Protection Grade of UVA”.

The scale goes from 0 - 5, with 3 a three-star rating meaning that the product blocks around 60% of the sun’s UVA rays, with five stars offering the most protection. The EU requirements for UVA protection is three (minimum), but the higher the star rating, the better.

What is the difference between sunscreen and sunblock?

Experts at Sun Sense UK explain that the main difference between a sunblock and a sunscreen lies in the way the product protects the skin from the sun’s UV rays. Sunscreen (or chemical sunscreen) is the most popular choice in the UK. It works by using certain chemicals to filter out the sun’s UV rays once they’re absorbed into the skin, but before they can penetrate the deeper dermal layer. A sunblock, on the other hand, sits on top of the skin and reflects UV rays away from the skin before it gets absorbed.

How to use sunscreen and sunblock on kids

It’s worth noting that no sun protection product - whether it’s labelled sunblock or sunscreen - is 100% effective at blocking out all the effects of the sun’s rays. Another factor to consider is how you apply the product.

If you’re using a traditional sunblock, make sure to apply just before your child heads outside, but if you’re using a sunscreen, it’s important to apply at least 30 minutes before going out in the sun as it takes time for the skin to absorb the product efficiently.

How we chose our sunscreens

Products tried and tested by Mumsnet users

We always ask our trusted Mumsnet users, of which there are millions of each month. That’s a lot of real, impartial and valuable advice! For that reason, we had an in-depth look on the Mumsnet forum to find out which sunscreens parents liked, used regularly, and recommended.

We took special note of things like the sunscreen’s SPF factor and UVA rating (because safety and efficacy come first), the ingredients, scent, consistency/texture and overall value for money. We also looked at whether the sunscreen was suitable for the whole family – which add value to the overall purchase of the product.

Consumer feedback

In addition to the Mumsnet forum, we also conduct thorough research online and read countless online reviews from customers who have used the products themselves and offered both positive and negative feedback.

Expert recommendations

We always ensure our information is relevant and represents the latest recommendations from experts in the field, including those from the British Skin Foundation, the FDA and NHS. With this in mind, we scrutinized each sunscreen on our final list to ensure they ticked all the boxes and were in line with the latest sun safety tips and advice.

Celebrated best products

Finally, we cross-referenced all of the above information to find the best sunscreens on the market, particularly those that have been recognised and approved by doctors or dermatologists for children with dry, sensitive or eczema-prone skin. We think there’s something here for everyone at various price points.

Why you should trust us

We work hard to provide unbiased, independent advice you can trust. We do sometimes earn revenue through affiliate (click-to-buy) links in our articles. This helps us fund more helpful articles like this one.