Is my kid going to grow a horn out of their forehead because I chose the wrong sunscreen? That’s what it feels like when you hear all people talking about sunscreen these days. Are they being wildly paranoid or is there something to it? And, if there is something to it, is there a sunscreen that doesn’t cost $152 per ounce? Or one that doesn’t make my child look like a ghost with legs? Ugh. I wish there was a sunscreen fairy that came to my house each morning to do all three kids and then reapplied it throughout the day. Oh, and the fairy has to pay for the sunscreen too.

Lets get to it. Let me start by saying, I am not a doctor, I don’t play one on TV nor am I an expert of any kind on skin care. I am simply a mom of three that did a little testing on my own children and poked around in the research department. We live in San Diego where we use sunscreen year-round so, I felt like I had some skin in the game. Pun intended. This is an ever-evolving market that will likely change as new research and new products join the party. But this is where I’m at today with my kiddoes.

Here is what I learned:

There are two types of sunscreen: chemical-based sunscreen and mineral-based sunscreen. They work very differently. Mineral sunscreens work as a physical barrier from the UV rays. Chemical sunscreens actually absorb the UV rays and dissipates them via a chemical reaction. So, in order for them to work, the sunscreen has to be absorbed into the skin. There are also hybrids- most of which market themselves as mineral-based (so read the labels!). Chemical-based sunscreens, the ones with oxybenzone, avobenzone ect, are the ones “under fire.” The more research that is done, the more we are learning about the negative effects many of these chemicals have on our bodies and our reefs. I will not go in to all the details, but if you want more information, here is a good link from the Environmental Working Group (EWG).

Long story short, the jury is still out on exactly what causes what, and how bad. But here is my logic: there are so many great alternatives now available, I am choosing those in the meantime. No doubt, I use plenty of other products in my life that have harmful stuff in them (with or without my knowledge) so I have no soap box to stand on. This just happens to be one genre of products that got my attention because we use so much of it with all three of our kids (and over so much of their growing bodies).

What to Buy:

It’s simple: Mineral-based sunscreen. I now look for only two active ingredients: Zinc Oxide and Titanium Dioxide (or zinc only). The Environmental Working Group (EWG) 2019 list of ‘Best Sunscreens for Kids’ is linked here.

Here Are My Winners:

If you clicked on that link, you can see there a gazillion good ones. Way more than I could try my lifetime. However, I tried a lot and I came up with my favorites in their respective category.

LOTIONS:

I use lotions 95% of the time and these two are my winners for my kids: Blue Lizard Baby and ThinkSport for kids. (I also like their ThinkBaby line). Here is why I voted for these two:

1 . They work. DUH.

2. They are zinc-based.

3. They both rub in clear with minimal effort. (I don’t have 32 minutes to rub in sunscreen on a squirmy kid)

4. They are very moderately priced . This is a big factor for me. There are a lot of really great mineral options that are just too expensive for the volume that we use. ThinkSport for kids is $21 for a 6 oz bottle. Blue Lizard Baby is $25 for an 8.75 oz bottle.

5. They don’t dry out the skin.

POWDER:

Goop’s Poof Part Powder is awesome. But it’s pricey so I use it sparingly for hair lines, scalp and re-applications. I’ve heard Color Science is another popular one in this category.

STICKS

For the face, my kids love a stick. My kids act like they are being tortured if my hands touch their face. The stick helps minimize their pain and suffering. My favorite daily stick for the face is, again, ThinkSport stick. It goes on white so you do have to rub it in. BUT, it goes on very smooth and easy and rubs in clear. So much so, I use on their bodies in a pinch. It’s also very moderately priced at about $9 a stick. We have these floating all over house, bags and cars.

SPRAYS (my exceptions):

I could not find any 100% mineral sprays that were not super chalky which, to me, trumps the convenience factor of a spray. That is not to say that they don’t exist, but I haven’t come across any (or at a price point I’m willing to pay). My husband is very sunscreen averse. He insists that I have at least one spray option for him when he is the sole person responsible for sunscreen. Our differences, when it comes to sunscreen, are better served for a marriage post :) And my daughter, who is very fair skinned will only re-apply with a spray. On high exposure days, like long days at the beach, I happily concede. That said, there are two mineral hybrid sunscreens (zinc-based with some chemicals) that we use for these two instances. The Elta UV Aero Spray. Its $29 for a 6 oz can. This is kinda pricey for how fast a spray can is used, but it works well, sprays on white but rubs in clear very easy. Love this spray.

The second is the Head Hunter stick. It’s tinted and leaves a faint creamy-make-up look. That is by design. You can see when you need more. It requires soap and water to remove (or make-up remover wipes), but that is why it’s so effective. Again, the objective on these days is different and I do not use for “everyday’”. Another favorite with the surfers (who put sunscreen to the test out on the reflective water) is Vertra. I have not tried it but I’ve heard good things for use as a “big gun”.

*Update as May 2020: We are Vertra die hards now for our BIG beach days on the face for the kids. It’s pricey but I know it will work for a long day in the sun and I can see if I need to apply more. We do not use it daily for school due to the creamy look of it.

Kinda Fun:

Colored ZINKA is great and an inexpensive way to make sunscreen fun for the kids and still safe. I also like that I can see when a re-app is needed. My kids loved picking out their colors and “decorating” their face. (I rub in an all-over-clear first and let them have at it after.)

What to do with your old sunscreen?

Up to you. At first I only threw away anything with oxybenzone in it because that seemed like the real culprit. Then I read more and I threw away all the chemical-based ones (even those without oxybenzone) but kept the hybrid ones. My goal is to only use 100% mineral based sunscreens once we are all used up.

SUMMARY:

I now only buy MINERAL-BASED sunscreen with zinc oxide and titanium dioxide. I use Blue Lizard Baby and ThinkSport for kids 95% of the time. The END.

Shop the Post Here:

Next up on my agenda is to find a mineral sunscreen for MY face for every day under my make-up (that doesn’t cost a fortune). If you have an suggestions please send them my way. Oh and I’m also still looking for that fairy.