The Environmental Working Group recently released its 2011 report on the Safest Sunscreens. After testing more than 1700 sunscreens, the organization has released its list of safest sunscreens and the must see Hall of Shame. We’ve found the kid and baby safe sunscreens from the Report and have them for you here.
EWG Report Summary
The EWG says the safest sunscreens for kids have the following qualities:
- Mineral suncreen with zinc and titanium
- No oxybenzone – potentially hormone-disrupting
- No Vitamin A – may be carcinogenic on sun-exposed skin
- No spray or powdered sunscreen
Safest Sunscreens for Kids 2011
- Alba Botanica Sun: Mineral Kids SPF 30
(pack of 2 4 oz, $18)
- All Terrain Sunblock Kidsport SPF 30
(pack of 2 3 oz, $16)
- Aubrey Organics Children’s Unscented Sensitive Skin Lotion
(4 oz, $12.50)
- Aveeno Sun Natural Protection Mineral Block Baby SPF 50 Stick
(.5 oz, $10.99)
- BabyGanics Cover Up Baby Sunscreen Lotion SPF 50 (2 oz, $4.20)
- BabyGanics Cover Up Baby Sunscreen Stick SPF 50
(.47 oz, $8)
- Badger Baby Sunscreen SPF 30
(2.9 oz, $15.49)
- Beyond Coastal Kids Natural SPF 30 Sunscreen
(4 oz, $11.59)
- Blue Lizard Baby Australian Suncream SPF 30+
(8.75 oz, $27)
- California Baby
- Carribean Solutions Sol Kid Kare SPF 25 Sunscreen
(6 oz, $12)
- Coola MineralBaby Moisturizer Suncare, SPF 45
(3 oz, $36)
- Earth’s Best Sunblock: Mineral Based, SPF 30+
(4 oz, $14)
- Eco Skin Care Eco Baby, SPF 30+ (3.5 oz, $17)
- Elemental Herbs Sunscreen Kids SPF 20
(3 oz, $16)
- Goddess Garden Baby Natural Sunscreen, SPF 30
(3.5, $13.50)
- Goddess Garden Kids Natural Sunscreen, SPF 30
(6 oz, $19)
- Lavera Baby and Children Sunscreen, SPF 20
(4.1 oz, $23)
- Little Forest Sunscreen Lotion for Babies & Kids (4 oz, $17)
- Marie Veronique Organics Kid Safe Screen, SPF 25
(4 oz, $19)
- Nature’s Gate Mineral Kid’s block SPF 20
(4 oz, $8)
- Sunbow Dora the Explorer Sunscreen SPF 30
($10.39)
- The Green Beaver KIDS SPF30 Sunscreen
(90mL, $21)
- thinkbaby sunscreen SPF30+
(3 oz, $15)
- TruKid
- UV Natural Sunscreen for Baby, SPF 30+
(5.29 oz, $30)
How Does Your Sunscreen Score?
Check out the widget to see how your sunscreen fared in the EWG’s report. You may be (unpleasantly) surprised. For example, here are some popular brands that landed in the Hall of Shame: Hawaiian Tropic Baby Stick Sunscreen SPF 50, Aveeno Baby Continuous Protection SPF 55, Coppertone Water Babies Sunscreen Lotion SPF 70+.
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See our 2010 post on the safest sunscreens for kids for some of our top picks stylish sun protection for kids.
Jenny
June 8, 2011Thank you so much for this Kate! Your write up last year was so helpful in deciding which sunscreen to use on my kiddos. It’s great to have an updated resource for this year!
Amber
June 8, 2011I have used California Baby and really liked it. It goes on pretty thick, which doesn’t feel great to me, but at least it’s easy to see where it is placed. My favorite is Episencial Sunny Sunscreen, which didn’t make the top list, but gets a 2 on EWG’s Skin Deep, which is very good. It’s goes on easier and protects just as well. I’ll be testing out Marie Veronique soon and can’t wait to see how it stacks up.
Heather
June 9, 2011Aw crap! I bought the Aveeno Baby 55spf on the hall of shame list…guess that was $$$ in the garbage. At least I’ve only used it once