It’s important to take precautionary measures to ensure that babies are protected from the sun’s rays. The sun produces vitamin D which aids in the absorption of calcium for healthy, strong bones. However, too much exposure to the sun can have negative consequences such as burns or damaged skin.
We are generally exposed to UVB and UVA rays when we are out in the sun. UVA photons account for the majority of our sun exposure, causing aging and wrinkling as well as contributing to melanoma. UVB radiation can cause cataracts, sunburns, immune system problems, and even skin cancer.
Studies have found a link between sunburn during childhood and the development of cancer later on in life. In particular, melanoma is strongly linked to significant exposure to UVB rays before the age of 20.
Babies are very vulnerable to sun exposure because their skin is more delicate and sensitive than the skin of adults. While babies need less time in the sun than adults, they still get a lot of sun exposure just by being outside. It’s important to protect them from the harmful rays of the sun by using sunscreen and avoiding the harshest hours of sunlight.
Since most parents use sunscreen to protect their children from the sun, it is important to know that this can also be dangerous for some children and the environment.
Sunscreen can help protect you and your loved ones from the UV rays that come from the sun, but no sunscreen can completely block UV radiation. There are a few other ways that you can protect your skin from exposure to the sun’s rays, including wearing light and airy clothes, wearing a hat and sunglasses, and avoiding direct sunlight between 10 am and 4 pm. When choosing a sunscreen, look for one that provides broad-spectrum protection against both UVB and UVA rays.
When buying sunscreen, it is important to consider the sun protection factor (SPF). The SPF rating shows how much UVB protection the sunscreen provides, and how long it would take for UV rays to cause redness on your skin. While a higher SPF number means fewer rays will reach your skin, no sunscreen can protect you against all UVB radiation. Always reapply your sunscreen, even if its SPF is high.
Sunscreen comes in various forms, including sprays, creams, and sticks. All of these have their benefits, but it is important to remember that not all areas of the body can be reached by sunscreen – for example, ears and the tips of feet – so make sure to apply it often and after sweating or swimming.
Given this, it’s important to seek out water-resistant sunscreens and scrutinize the label. When spraying, make sure to cover evenly and avoid unintentional inhalation, especially with newborns or toddlers.
Organic vs. Inorganic Sunscreen
The term “organic” is commonly used to refer to things that are healthy for the environment and our health. In the case of sunscreen, this can be deceptive because organic sunscreens refer to sunscreens that use chemical ingredients. Mineral or physical sunscreens are inorganic.
Chemical sunscreens use compounds such as octinoxate and oxybenzone, whereas physical sunscreens use inorganic chemicals such as octinoxate and zinc oxide.
Physical sunscreens may contain organically cultivated components. These are just terms to be aware of when shopping for sunscreen, depending on the sort of sunscreen you’re looking for “Natural” is another phrase that many people will look for when looking for friendlier and healthier products, but it can also be deceiving – after all, oxybenzone is obtained from natural sources. Non-toxic is a better, or at least more straightforward, word to use while looking for sunscreen.
When looking for safe sunscreen for children, don’t be swayed by buzzwords like “natural” or “organic.” These words are not regulated and do not provide an accurate measure of the sun protection value of a product. Look for solutions that have fewer and more friendly components and keep track of which dangerous substances have been avoided.
Apply a dab of sunscreen on your child’s upper arm and monitor the area for 24 hours to see how they react. Look for labels that specify reef-friendly or reef-safe for more environmentally conscious sunscreens to ensure that you are protecting not just your child’s skin, but also the environment.
Natural sunscreen for babies and infants
Babyganics Plant-Based Sunscreen
The company was founded by two dads who were both looking to make the lives of other parents a little easier. The company does not conduct any animal tests and uses only plant-based components in their products that are free of any known harmful chemicals such as parabens, synthetic perfumes, phthalates, and sulfates.
Babyganics sunscreens are free of oxybenzone and octinoxate and come in sprays, sticks, and lotions. These sunscreens are designed with your baby’s skin in mind, and they contain organic components such as organic sunflower oil and coconut oil. Babyganics sunscreen costs $16-20
Badger’s Baby-Safe Sunscreen
Badger sunscreen employs a biodegradable solution comprised of beeswax, sunflower oil, and vitamin E that is reef-safe and water- and sweat-resistant for up to 40 minutes.
Badger is a company in New Hampshire that is dedicated to safeguarding the environment and has built solar panels and adopted regenerative farming techniques to cultivate the ingredients for their products. Badger sunscreens keep things simple and have just 7-9 ingredients, with 97 percent organic components. Badger sunscreens are available for between $11 and $18.
Goddess Garden Reef Safe Sunscreen
Sunscreen for infants and children comes in the form of lotions, sticks, and sprays. They provide broad-spectrum protection, are waterproof, reef-safe, vegan, and animal-free. Additionally, their sunscreens are paraben- and phthalate-free. The organic ingredients of Goddess Gardens’ products for children and infants include essential oils, coconut oil, and shea butter, Their sunscreens cost between $4 and $17.
All Good’s Kid Friendly Sunscreen
All Good provides sunscreen for children in a variety of formats, including spray, stick, and lotion. The lotion, spray, and butter stick from All Good are all mineral-based sun care products with an SPF of 30 or higher. All three products offer broad-spectrum protection, are oxybenzone-free, and are made with reef-friendly chemicals. They are water-resistant for up to 80 minutes. Along with using organic products, All Good also uses jojoba oil, organic shea butter, coconut oil, and other components. The price range for All Good’s children’s sunscreen is $17 to $20.
Two Peas Organics Zinc Oxide Sunscreen
Mineral sunscreen produced with biodegradable components is available from Two Peas Organics. It offers broad-spectrum protection, is odorless, is suitable for coral reefs, and it was not tested on animals. Their SPF 50 lotion is water-resistant for 40 minutes and contains apricot oil, organic coconut oil, and shea butter.
The jojoba oil, organic coconut oil, and shea butter used to create the SPF 30 lotion are water-resistant for up to 80 minutes.
These child and infant-friendly sunscreens cost between $12 and $14.
Blue Lizard Australian Sunscreen
Blue Lizard, an Australia-based company, is well known for its reef-safe sunscreen. This mineral-based sunscreen offers both UVA and UVB rays broad-spectrum protection and is water resistant for up to 40 minutes, providing continuous protection during swimming or other water activities.
Customers love that this product is paraben-free, fragrance-free, and suitable for use by infants and children with sensitive skin.