It seems everyday someone asks about sunscreen. So I thought I would give my 2 cents since well skin is my profession. I am a dermatology Nurse Practitioner and have been practicing dermatology for 12 years thus I see children and adults everyday in regards to skin, skin cancer etc and this includes being in the know in regards to the safety of sunscreen.
First let me start by saying there is a big difference between Sunscreen and Sunblock
Suncreen is 100% NOT safe for infants under 6 months old. Honestly I would never put sunscreen on my child at any age Period. Sunscreen is a chemical blocker that use simply gets absorbed into the top of the skin in a chemical thus reflecting the suns rays and not allowing them to penetrate. These chemicals however are not safe for infants.
Sunblock is a Physical sunblocker which is 100% safe from the day your child is born up to the very elderly. Sunblock is a product that literally creates a shield on the top of your skin and get absorbed and will block out the harmful rays.
Many companies Mislabel their products calling themselves sunscreen and sunblock interchangebly. You need to look for the active ingredient.
Avobenzont; Homosalate; Octisalate, Octocrylene and Oxybenzone, : ARE CHEMICAL BLOCKERS aka Sunscreen. NEVER use this on your child this is what pediatricians do not want you to use on your children.
Titanium Dioxide and Zinc Oxide as the active ingredients is a PHYSICAL BLOCKER and this is absolutely safe for your child at birth. As noted with the American Academy of Dermatology. THe active ingredients are actually pretty much the same as diaper rash paste.
The key is putting it on 30 minutes before going outside. Physical blockers need time to get absorbed into the top layers of the skin. ALso you must reapply every 2 hours of continuous sun exposure. Long sleeve shirts, wide brim hats and sunglasses are also recommended. They sell bathing suit coverups and bathing suits with a UV protection.
Recommended Sunblocks by the AAD are as Follows:
Neutrogena Sensitive Skin
Neutrogena Pure and Free
Blue Lizard
California Baby
That is pretty much it and its a short list. Most of the issue with sunscreen and babies origionally came from PABA however that is rarely if ever used. The use of chemical sunscreens nowadays can cause your child to develop a contact allergy.
ETA: I am currently a SAHM for the next year or two so I actually have not worked in derm since my daughter was born.
Re: PSA: Sunscreen
I personally on my little girl EVERYDAY even if we do not go outside is Neutrogena Pure and Free.
On myself, I use Elta MD...oh I forgot to add that one!!
One thing that I think is important is that you use it daily because it will teach them the importance of using it. If you start now just like brushing teeth your child will learn it as a daily hygiene habit and think it is common daily practice.
Question for you: California Baby has SPF 30 Sunscreen and an SPF 30 Sunblock stick...is the sunscreen still unsafe?
California baby is one of the companies that uses the terms screen and block interchangely which is actually incorrect but the sunscreen is just fine. It is chemical, paba, dye and fragerance free.
Awesome info...Thank you!
Thank you so much for posting this!
I thought I had been using Aveeno baby Sensitive on my DD1 but I just checked and I'm happy to find that I've actually been using Neutrogena Pure and Free! Yay for one that made your list
Thanks again. This is all very important info. that I bet most of us weren't completely aware of.
BFP 5/07 - Kylie born 2/08. BPF 2/09 - Alexandra born 10/09.
TTC since 8/13 - diagnosed difficulty conceiving due to LP defect. Took vitamin B and Vitex Berry to help lengthen.
BFP 2/14 - Missed M/C found at 8.5 weeks. D&C at 9w2d. Partial Molar Pregnancy.
BFP 11/14
My Pregnancy(ies) Blog
I PPH Mandee's info on skin stuff!!
I LOVE Blue Lizard = FYI - you can usually special order it from CVS!
TY for the info!
https://www.littletwig.com/products/suncare/
Apparently their products are certified organic (whatever that means......I'm always a little leary of labelling). I'd love to hear what you think of their ingredient list - it's pretty long, so I'm also kind of leary of that as well - but, at least I understand what most of the stuff is minus a few things....... maybe it's not that good, but Olivia always react to sunscreen/blocks and it's hard finding ones accessible to me that she doesn't get extremely dry skin/eczema patches from. (We've tried blue lizard and the neutragena's - california baby was decent for her, but it's pretty pricey and hard to come by here). Again, thanks for your explanation on the sun care situation!!!
Thank you sooo much. This is one of my biggest concerns! And now I'll be a little more aware of what to put on her. My friends with older LOs think I'm a little overbearing with putting sunblock on her, but it's my daughter and I want what is best for her. Not what they think is best for her. Now I need to go check to make sure that I have sunblock not sunscreen lol!
Let me add, I have had children as young as 4 years old with premelanoma. You can NEVER use too much sun protection! In Australia it is actually a LAW. Your child must have long sleeves, a hat and sunscreen to go to school each day.
Little Twig Ingredients
Micronized Zinc Oxide, Micronized Titanium Dioxide, Deionized Water, Carthamus Tinctorius (Safllower) Oil, Caprylic/capric, Triglyceride, Glycerin, Emulsifying Wax, Cetyl Ricinoleate, C12-C14 Alkyl Benzoate, Sodium Hyaluronate, Phytosqualane, Helianthus Annuus (Sunflower) Seed Oil*, Phenoxyethanol, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Potassium Sorbate, Lavandula Angustifolia(Lavender) Extract*, Chamomillia Recutita (Matricaria) Flower Extract*, Arnica Montana Flower Extract*, Camellia Sinensis (White Tea) Extract*, Alpha Amylase, Aloe Barbadensis Extract*, Tocopherol, Camellia Sinensis (White Tea) Leaf Extract, Camellia Oleifera (Green Tea) Leaf Extract, Sodium Ascorbyl Phosphate, Xanthan Gum, Panthenol, Allantoin, Sodium Benzoate, Citric Acid *Certified Organic
These 3 especially jump out at me.
Lecithin is a fat emulsifier and is used to lower cholestrol and when injected into the skin dissolves fat. (I actually have it in liquid form and inject it into the fat pads under eyes to reduce the baggy eye lid appearence in my patients).
Arnica is an anti-inflammatory and should not be used daily by a child because it can thin blood if used in excess that is why teething tabs need to be used as needed and not daily. Sunblock should be safe enough to use everyday.
Citric acid absolutely not! Babies should have no contact with anything citrus or citric acid until I believe they are 1 year old.
This may sound really silly... but...
We're going on a cruise to the Bahamas (I believe) in September. What type of sunblock should I use? I don't plan on keeping LO out in the sun for long periods of time but I do want her to be well protected when she is.
Thanks! I was kind of wondering about some of the ingredients, but I don't have enough info. to decipher some of this stuff. I'll stick with California Baby!
ALso put it behind babies ears and in the ear (obviously not in the ear canal but in the front part of the ear)
Awesome! Thank you!
What do you think about Burt's Bees Sunscreen?
Chemical-Free Sunscreen SPF 30
High protection from the sun's harmful rays, naturally.
How it Works
This 100% natural, non-whitening formula provides broad-spectrum UVA/UVB protection and helps keep skin hydrated without using chemical sunscreen actives like octinoxate and oxybenzone. Instead, titanium dioxide, a naturally-occurring mineral creates a micro-fine barrier on your skin to reflect the sun's harmful rays. Our natural sunscreen is effective immediately upon application and safe for kids.
How to Use It
Apply generously and evenly before sun exposure. Reapply as needed or after swimming, perspiring or towel drying. Use carefully. This product may discolor clothing.
Featured Ingredient
Titanium Dioxide ? Occurring naturally as the mineral rutile, this substance is used chiefly as a white pigment and as an opacifier. It reflects light, so (when identified as such) can be considered a natural sun block.
Ingredients: Active ingredient: titanium dioxide (8.58%)
Inactive Ingredients: water, cannabis sativa (hemp) seed oil, glycerin, stearic acid, fragrance, helianthus annuus (sunflower) seed oil, hydrated silica, sucrose distearate, calendula officinalis (calendula) flower extract, crataegus oxyacanthus (hawthorn) stem extract, hamamelis virginiana (witch hazel) extract, hydrastis canadensis (golden seal) extract, symphtum officinale (comfrey) extract, rosmarinus officinalis (rosemary) leaf extract, alginic acid, acacia senegal gum, xanthan gum, beta carotene, sucrose stearate, lecithin, aluminium hydroxide, sodium borate, glucose, sodium chloride, canola oil, glucose oxidase, lactoperoxidase
Useful information. Thanks.
Now, how to remember it....
this is what I bought last weekend. thanks for posting this.
Wow, this is wonderful information thank you so much.
I saw that you like the Neutrogena products; I use the Neutrogena Spectrum Sunblock SPF 100. Does the spf number make a difference? Am I better off with a 35 vs 100? Also, I cycle on the weekends and spend a total of 6 hours under the sun, I was told by a dermatologist to put the sunscreen on the night before a ride so the skin would absorb it and then to reapply 30 mins before I went out, what are your thoughts on this?
BFP #3 -mm/c @ 7wks, discovered at 9wks, D&C 9/28
BFP #4 5/29 EDD 2/9 - please be our rainbow