The Ultimate Guide to Clean Sunscreen for Babies & Kids: What to Know and What to Avoid

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When it comes to protecting our kids’ skin, sunscreen seems like a no-brainer. But not all sunscreens are created equal—and some contain ingredients that are best avoided, especially for babies and young children.

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While sunscreen ingredients matter for adults too, little ones have more delicate, absorbent skin, and their bodies are still developing—so choosing safer, simpler formulas is even more important. The goal is to protect them from harmful UV rays without exposing them to potentially irritating or toxic chemicals in the process.

In 2021, a lab called Valisure tested dozens of sunscreens and found that 27% of the products contained benzene, a known carcinogen. Some popular name brands had levels far exceeding the FDA’s recommended limit of 2 parts per million. (Benzene is not an intentional ingredient—it can be a contaminant introduced during the manufacturing process.) Read more at Valisure and at Consumer Labs.

Let’s break down what this means and how to find safe, clean sunscreen options for your family.

Should You Use Sunscreen on Babies?

Sunscreen is generally NOT recommended for babies under 6 months old.
Their skin is extra sensitive and more permeable, meaning it can absorb more of what’s applied to it. Instead of sunscreen, the best protection is:

• Keeping babies in the shade
• Using wide-brimmed hats and protective clothing
• Avoiding peak sun hours (10am–4pm)

For babies over 6 months, sunscreen can be used in addition to physical protection like clothing and shade.

What to Look for in a Clean, Kid-Safe Sunscreen

• Mineral (Physical) Sunscreens Only: Look for zinc oxide or titanium dioxide. These sit on the skin and reflect UV rays, rather than absorbing into the body like chemical sunscreens.
• Broad Spectrum: Protects against both UVA (aging) and UVB (burning) rays.
• SPF 30 or higher: SPF 30 blocks about 97% of UVB rays. Higher SPF doesn’t always mean better, but SPF 50 can offer more protection for fair or sensitive skin.
• Fragrance-Free & Hypoallergenic: Fragrances can be irritating, especially for kids with eczema or sensitive skin.

Ingredients to Avoid

1. Oxybenzone – Linked to hormone disruption and allergic reactions. Easily absorbed through the skin.
2. Octinoxate – Another potential hormone disruptor. Can be irritating and is harmful to coral reefs.
3. Octocrylene – Can form benzophenone, a possible carcinogen, and may cause skin irritation in some people.
4. Avobenzone – Unstable in sunlight and often paired with other chemicals to stabilize it, which can lead to toxic breakdown products.
5. Homosalate – Absorbs into the body and has been flagged for concerns around hormone disruption, developmental toxicity, and buildup in breast milk.
6. Ensulizole – Primarily protects against UVB; less effective for UVA. Can be irritating, especially for sensitive skin.
7. Octisalate – Helps stabilize other ingredients but can cause skin sensitivity, especially with repeated use.
8. Parfum / Fragrance – A hidden mix of potentially hundreds of undisclosed chemicals that can trigger skin irritation, allergies, and are completely unnecessary in baby or kid products.
9. Butyloctyl Salicylate – I like to avoid this ingredient whenever possible, although I know it's not always feasible! It is often added to enhance SPF performance, this ingredient is chemically related to UV filters but isn’t classified as one—so it can sneak into mineral sunscreens. It penetrates the skin, may pose endocrine and reproductive concerns, and isn’t considered reef safe. Some people consider it misleading when brands label sunscreens with this ingredient as “100% mineral” or “reef safe.”
10. Butane, Isobutane, Propane – These are propellants used in spray sunscreens and are believed to be one of the sources of benzene contamination. Even if not listed prominently, they’re worth avoiding.

Other Ingredients You Probably Want to Avoid:
Disodium EDTA, Nanoparticles, Para-aminobenzoic acid (PABA), Parabens, Phenoxyethanol, Phthalates, Propylene Glycol, Synthetic Fragrances, Monoethanolamine (MEA), Diethanolamine (DEA), Triethanolamine (TEA), Butylated Hydroxytoluene (BHT), Methylisothiazolinone, Benzisothiazolinone, Ethoxylated Ingredients (PEG-, PPG-, poly-, -eth, -oxynol)

For the full list of sunscreens that Valisure found to contain Benzene, click here.

Why Spray Sunscreens Are Especially Risky

Spray sunscreens may seem convenient—especially with wiggly toddlers—but they come with real concerns.

In 2021, the independent lab Valisure found benzene, a known carcinogen, in dozens of popular spray sunscreens. Benzene isn’t added intentionally—it’s not even supposed to be in sunscreen at all. Instead, it’s likely introduced through propellants used to push the product out of the can, such as:

• Butane
• Isobutane
• Propane

These are commonly used in aerosol sprays. And even though some brands may have cleaner formulas, if they use these types of propellants, there’s a risk of benzene contamination. It’s not just about the ingredients in the sunscreen—it’s also about what else might get in during production.

Plus, sprays can be:

• Inhaled, which isn’t safe for kids (or adults)
• Unevenly applied, leaving skin vulnerable to burns
• Wasted easily in the air, meaning less protection on the skin

Because of this, creams, sticks, or lotion-based sunscreens are the safest choice—especially for babies and young children.

Recommended Clean Sunscreen Brands for Kids

Shop my favorite nontoxic options here!

These are some of the (few) mineral-based brands that are free from sketchy ingredients:

• Badger – You really can’t go wrong with any of their sunscreens. Simple, clean, and effective.
• Earth Mama – Both the cream and stick formulas are solid choices.
• Pipette – Go for the cream only — skip the spray!
• Attitude – Their baby and sensitive skin lotions are both great options.
• All Good – Stick with the cream or stick, and avoid the spray.

If you're looking for the full list of sunscreens tested by Valisure that showed no detectable benzene, check it out here.

“Cleaner” Spray Sunscreen Options (Still Contain Butyloctyl Salicylate)

These spray sunscreens are often marketed as non-toxic, mineral-based, and baby-friendly—and they are a step up from conventional chemical sunscreens in terms of ingredient transparency and overall safety profile. However, it’s important to know that they all contain butyloctyl salicylate, an ingredient that some believe should be avoided—especially for babies and young children—due to its potential endocrine-disrupting effects, skin penetration, and lack of reef safety.

That said, here are a few brands that fall into this “cleaner, but not perfect” category:

• Babo Botanicals – Often labeled “mineral sunscreen,” but spray formulas include butyloctyl salicylate as an SPF booster. It’s still free from parabens, phthalates, and synthetic fragrance.
• All Good – Better than many conventional options and reef-friendly in other ways, but spray versions also contain butyloctyl salicylate.
• Pipette – Very popular among parents for babies and kids, and it does use zinc oxide as the active ingredient—but the spray formula includes butyloctyl salicylate too.

Final Notes

Sun safety is important—but so is product safety. Choosing a clean, mineral-based sunscreen gives you peace of mind that you’re protecting your child without exposing them to potentially harmful ingredients.

That said, sunscreen is just one part of a full sun protection strategy. Hats, rash guards, and shaded play go a long way, especially during peak UV hours. Mineral sunscreens are a great tool to fill in the gaps, but remember—they sit on the skin as a physical barrier. That barrier can wear off with water, sweat, or friction, so reapplying regularly is key.

It’s also worth remembering that unfiltered sun exposure is important for our health, especially when it comes to vitamin D. The body can’t make vitamin D when UV rays are being filtered—by sunscreen, windows, or clothing.

Current guidelines suggest that about 5 to 30 minutes of direct sun exposure to the face, arms, and legs twice a week, between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m., may help maintain adequate vitamin D levels. The exact time needed can vary based on skin tone, location, season, and more. And of course, the goal is always to avoid burns—so moderation and common sense matter.

A little bit of intentional, safe sun exposure—especially in the early morning or late afternoon—is beneficial for all of us, kids included.

The goal isn’t perfection—just doing the best we can with the information we have.