When Can Babies Wear Sunscreen? Baby Sunscreen Age Recommendations

If you’re a new parent who’s itching for a beach day, you’ve probably wondered: “When can babies wear sunscreen?”. The FDA and the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommend keeping newborns and babies younger than 6 months out of direct sunlight. If sunlight is unavoidable for your little one, you should use other sun protection methods, like by keeping them covered with long sleeves, pants, and a hat.

Babies can start wearing sunscreen after they’re 6 months old. But before you apply just any old sunscreen to your baby, you should talk to your pediatrician first. They will have the best idea of when your baby can start wearing sunscreen and the safest sunscreen for your baby.

In addition to knowing when your baby can start wearing sunscreen, you should also know the type of sunscreen you should use and how much sunscreen is enough. Protecting your little ones from the sun is crucial so that they don’t come home one day red as a lobster!

Continue reading to learn more about baby sunscreen age recommendations so that you can keep your baby safe and protected from the sun – all of which we’ll be discussing in the article below. If you’re interested in reading a particular section, you can navigate throughout the article with the links below.

• When Should You Put Sunscreen On Your Baby?
• How Much Baby Sunscreen is Enough?
• What Kind Of Baby Sunscreen Is Safe?
• Baby Sunscreen FAQs
• How Can I Protect My Baby From The Sun?
• After-Sun Care
• When To See A Doctor
• Keeping Your Baby Safe In The Sun

When Should You Put Sunscreen On Your Baby?

So, at what age can you put sunscreen on a baby?

Babies should avoid sunscreen until they are older than 6 months. A baby’s skin is super sensitive, which means it might not react well to the ingredients in sunscreen, and they’re more likely to develop a rash or irritation. A baby’s skin might be more susceptible to the chemicals in sunscreen, which can be harmful to their health. Sunscreen can also cause a baby’s skin to dry out and crack, which can result in an infection.

That said, if your baby is younger than six months, you’ll want to protect them from the sun with long sleeves and pants. But what about those areas — like their face, neck, and the tops of their hands and feet — that may still be in the sun?

A baby’s skin contains little melanin, which means they’re much more susceptible to sun damage. So if you have to use sunscreen on your baby, just make sure they are older than 6-months and choose a safe sunscreen.

For example, if you’re looking for sunscreen for a 6-month-old, you should try Babo Botanicals’ Baby Skin Mineral Sunscreen - SPF 50. This lightweight sunscreen is specifically formulated to keep your baby’s delicate skin safe while in the sun.

For babies older than six months, try Babo Botanicals’ Baby Skin Mineral Sunscreen Pump Spray. This safe, non-aerosol sunscreen sprays on for easy application!

For your little one’s face — which can be a tricky area to tackle — consider our Fragrance Free SPF 50 Baby Face Mineral Sunscreen Stick. It’s the perfect way to keep your baby protected without getting sunscreen in their eyes or mouth!

Now let’s talk about the time of year your little one needs sunscreen. Hint: It isn’t just in the summer.

Sunscreen is a year-round essential! Even if it’s cloudy or cool outside, the sun’s harmful UV rays can filter through clouds, which leaves your little one’s skin vulnerable. Your baby needs sunscreen any time they’re outside!

How Much Baby Sunscreen Is Enough?

When it comes to sunscreen, there’s no such thing as too much! In fact, many people will apply too little sunscreen, and therefore don’t achieve an adequate level of sun protection.

Apply sunscreen liberally to every inch of your baby’s exposed skin at least 15 minutes before going outside. And don’t forget to lather up your own sunscreen — you are your little one’s biggest role model, after all!

Note that sunscreen can take up to 30 minutes after application before it becomes effective. Keep your baby out of the sun until this time limit is reached to allow the sunscreen a chance to work its magic.

Remember, sun protection shouldn’t end with the initial application of your sunscreen! Reapply sunscreen at least every two hours, after 40 - 80 minutes of swimming or sweating, or immediately after towel-drying to maintain the optimum level of sun protection.

Additionally, it’s important to keep in mind that sunscreen should be used for sun protection while you’re in the sun, not as an excuse to stay in the sun longer.

What Kind Of Baby Sunscreen Is Safe?

So now that we’ve answered the question of “when can babies wear sunscreen?”, let’s address the next important topic: What kind of baby sunscreen is safe?

The market is filled with all different kinds and brands of sunscreen. This can make it confusing for parents to determine which one is best for their baby.

To help narrow down your search, look for these specific qualities in baby sunscreen:

• Specially designed with babies in mind
• Made of Zinc Oxide or Titanium Dioxide (These ingredients sit on top of the skin rather than absorbing directly into the skin.)
• Free of harmful chemicals (Choose a mineral variety!)
• Made of natural ingredients
• Labeled as Broad Spectrum (It will protect against both UVA and UVB rays.)
• Has an SPF 30 to 50
• Lightweight
• Water-Resistant
• Compliant with Hawaii’s and other regional regulations on corals and marine life

Thankfully, our range of sun protection products makes selecting your family’s sunscreen a simple decision. We designed our products to check off all the boxes, ensuring your little one is protected from the sun without the unnecessary ingredients.

And because all of our products are dermatologist tested and free of high allergy nuts, the possibility of your little one having an allergic reaction to our sunscreen is low.

But, as with any product, it is still possible. For this reason, we recommend trying a small patch of sunscreen on your baby’s skin before a full application.

Baby Sunscreen FAQs

Can Babies Wear Sunscreen?

Babies can start wearing sunscreen once they’re 6 months old. A baby’s skin is too sensitive and may react negatively to sunscreen when they’re under 6 months old, so it’s important to wait it out. But once your baby turns 6 months old, then you can start introducing sunscreen with your pediatrician’s approval. Additionally, it’s important to continue using the other sun protection methods, like high-coverage clothing and shade.

Why Can’t Babies Wear Sunscreen?

A baby should not wear sunscreen when they’re under 6 months old because their skin is very sensitive and the ingredients in sunscreen are more likely to cause a rash or irritation on their skin. Some sunscreens also contain chemicals, which can be very harmful to a baby’s skin and overall health. Sunscreen can also cause a baby’s skin to dry out and crack, which can lead to infection.

What Type Of Sunscreen Is Safe For Babies?

When shopping for sunscreen for your little one, there are a couple of key factors that you’ll want to keep in mind. First, you want to choose a sunscreen that is designed specifically for babies. This ensures that it’s made with safe ingredients that will most likely not irritate their skin. The sunscreen should be made with zinc oxide or titanium dioxide, which are ingredients that sit on top of the skin, rather than absorbing into the skin, which is safer for your little one.

You should also choose a mineral sunscreen over a chemical sunscreen. Mineral sunscreens contain natural ingredients that are better for your baby’s gentle skin. The sunscreen should be broad-spectrum, meaning it protects against both UVA and UVB rays and has an SPF of 30 to 50. Lastly, it should be lightweight, water-resistant.

Once you’ve found a sunscreen that checks off all these boxes, then you should be good to go to use it on your baby. You can also look at the EWG sunscreen guide, which can help you figure out the safest sunscreen for babies.

How Can I Protect My Baby From The Sun?

1. Keep Your Baby Inside During Peak Hours

As a general rule of thumb, the sun’s ultraviolet (UV) rays are most intense between 10:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. and should be avoided during this time when possible.

You can use an app such as the EPA’s SunWise UV Index to check for potential UV exposure in your area. This tells you how safe it may be to take your little one outdoors.

Take a look at the rest of our sun safety tips for more ideas on sun protection methods if limited sun exposure is unavoidable, such as when you’re on vacation at the beach or taking an outside family adventure somewhere.

And remember: even outside of these peak hours, the sun’s rays are still very powerful and can easily reflect off buildings, water, and sand to reach your baby’s skin!

2. Stay In A Shaded Area

While UV rays can still reach your baby even in the shade, it should be your first line of defense when it comes to protecting your baby’s delicate skin from the sun.

Per the AAP’s recommendation, stay in a shaded area as much as possible. This includes while driving, so it’s important to have window shades in your car to protect your baby during travel.

If you’re out and about, take a break from the sun and find a tree for your baby to sit under. Your stroller also needs adequate shade for your baby, so make sure yours has a covering so that your little one isn’t exposed.

If you’re at the beach or pool, let your baby play or drift off to sleep under a beach umbrella with a UPF (Ultra Protection Factor) rating.

What is this UPF rating all about? Not all beach umbrellas are created equal — only some block direct UV rays, meaning your baby could still get sunburned even while sitting in the shade!

To keep that from happening, choose a tent or umbrella with a UPF rating of at least 50.

3. Put A Wide-Brimmed Hat On Your Baby

Baseball caps are super cute on babies, but they’re not practical, especially when your baby is in direct sunlight.

Caps don’t cover your little one’s neck and ears, whereas a wide-brimmed hat will protect these sensitive areas. Wide-brimmed hats are the best and safest option for your baby when you’re out in the sun.

Although many babies don’t enjoy wearing hats at first, persevere! Opt for a hat with a strap or toggle to help keep it securely on your little one’s head.

Choosing a hat made from a soft fabric will also help keep your baby comfortable and more likely to keep wearing the hat throughout the day.

Tip: Just as the sun’s rays can burn your little one’s skin, they can also hurt your baby’s eyes. Hats can help protect their eyes, but a pair of sunglasses with at least 99% UV protection is an important addition to your little one’s sun protection outfit.

4. Keep Your Baby Hydrated

Both babies and adults sweat in the sun and heat. But when an adult sweats, it helps cool their body down. This isn’t the case for babies.

Your baby’s body hasn’t yet developed this heating and cooling system. So when your little one sweats, it can easily lead to overheating and dehydration.

Watch for these dehydration cues from your baby:

• Irritability or fussiness
• Dry mouth
• Decreased number of wet diapers (fewer than six in 24 hours, or a diaper that stays dry for two or three hours)
• Tearless crying

To prevent dehydration, continue giving your baby formula or breastmilk while they’re out in the sun and heat. Even though both are warm liquids, the water content will help keep your baby hydrated.

And if your little one is over six months old, offer them a sippy cup of water to help cool their body.

In serious circumstances, you will need to get help right away for severe dehydration. If you notice several of the above symptoms to the extreme, seek medical attention right away.

5. Cover Your Baby In Protective Clothing

If you’re visiting the beach and your baby is on-the-go, it will be hard to keep them in the shade even if you have an umbrella. Your little one will want to play in the sand as they discover the waves and water!

Choose a swimsuit for your little one that covers as much of their skin as possible, like a swim shirt. Avoid swimsuits that expose too much of your baby’s skin, even if they are cute!

Opt for tightly woven fabrics like cotton to keep your baby cool and protected during their adventures. Hold the fabric up to the light and see how much it lets through.

If lots of light gets through the fabric, the same can be said for UV rays.

For protection away from the beach and pool, use your baby’s stroller shade as often as possible, and dress your little one in lightweight clothing that covers their arms and legs.

6. Protect Your Baby’s Skin With A Mineral Sunscreen

Even though your little one’s skin protects their body, it doesn’t keep everything out. Whatever you lather onto your baby’s skin has the potential to end up in their bloodstream.

That’s why it’s important to pay attention to what you’re putting on your baby! There are two types of sunscreens you can use: mineral vs. chemical sunscreen.

Chemical sunscreens are made with active ingredients that are chemicals. And mineral sunscreens with — you guessed it! — minerals.

As we mentioned above, some chemical sunscreen ingredients can actually absorb into your little one’s skin. What’s more, these ingredients can irritate your baby’s delicate skin.

And if your baby is relaxing on their float in the ocean, some chemical ingredients can seep into the water. Yikes!

Mineral sunscreen, on the other hand, sits on top of the skin to block harmful UV rays, rather than absorbing into the skin.

There are only two active ingredients used in mineral sunscreen: Zinc Oxide and Titanium Dioxide. Interesting fact: These are the only 2 active ingredients which are deemed as safe and effective by the FDA for sunscreens.

With your baby’s skin care and the safety of the environment in mind, you can rest easy knowing Babo Botanicals sun care collection contains natural ingredients and are compliant with Hawaii and other regional regulations on corals and marine life.

After-Sun Care

So your little one has caught a bit of sun in your outdoor adventures — don’t worry, it happens!

Luckily, there are a variety of ways you can ease your little one’s sunburn discomfort.

First, staying hydrated isn’t just a useful tip while you’re out in the sun — it’s also a crucial part of after-sun care. Help your little one replenish their fluids post-sun exposure by giving them formula or breastmilk (or water if they’re old enough).

Applying a cool compress on your little one’s skin or running them a cool or lukewarm bath may also help to ease redness and soreness from being in the sun.

Opt for gentle cleansers during bath time, such as our Sensitive Baby Shampoo & Wash.

Aloe vera has long been used for its incredible healing properties and makes a great addition to your after-sun care routine. Our After Sun Soothing Hydrating Aloe Gel contains a special combination of ingredients to treat your little one’s sunburn.

With witch hazel and eucalyptus to cool and refresh, green tea and arnica to soothe and hydrate, and hyaluronic acid for an extra burst of moisture, this product will soon become a must-have for the whole family!

In addition to soothing with our aloe gel, lock in your skin’s moisture to help heal sunburned skin.

For the little ones, reach for a gentle moisturizer like our Calming Lotion for added protection and healing properties.

And, of course, be sure to keep your baby out of the sun if they’re recovering from sunburn. Getting more sun exposure on already sensitive skin is a big no-no and will only delay the healing process.

When To See A Doctor

The effects of sunburn usually peak within the first 24 hours of sun exposure. Minor redness or a feeling of warmth caused by sunburn is easily treatable at home with the remedies we mentioned above.

However, if you’re concerned about your baby’s sunburn or unusual behaviors they’re showing after being in the sun, it’s important to know when to visit a healthcare professional for medical advice.

Aside from the serious symptoms of dehydration we mentioned earlier, consult your doctor if you notice any of the following symptoms in your baby after sun exposure:

• Blisters on the skin
• A fever, shaking, or shivering
• Lethargy
• Nausea or vomiting
• Swelling or possible infection

Monitoring your little one closely to watch for signs of sun-induced illness is your best bet for treating these issues promptly.

Keeping Your Baby Safe In The Sun

So, when can babies wear sunscreen?

Babies can start wearing sunscreen once they’re 6 months old, but that doesn’t mean you can forgo all the other sun protection methods. In addition to using baby-safe sunscreen, you should also keep your baby out of direct sunlight and in the shade and keep them covered with long sleeve shirts, pants, and hats. Your baby’s gentle skin is very susceptible to sun damage, so it’s your responsibility to keep them as protected from the sun as possible.

Babo Botanicals has some of the best baby sunscreen products that you can use on your little one. All of Babo’s sunscreen products are made with plant-based, natural ingredients and will not likely cause any rash or irritation. With Babo Botanicals, you can rest assured that you’re using a high-quality sunscreen on your baby that is safe for their health, and still provides excellent sun protection.