Your favorite, easy-ish to apply sunscreens for toddlers

[Anonymous]

Fellow parents, what specific brands and formulas of sunscreens are you using on your toddlers (or maybe even the whole family)? Looking to make daily application easier (faster, less resistance) so we can spend more time out the door than wrangling wiggly toddler.

We've tried Sunbum mineral and Think 50, and they're OK. Kinda comes out thick (especially sunbum), so it takes a bit for me to rub it in — and particularly tricky on the face. Also tried Blue Lizard stick version because I was curious if it'd help with application.

I understand that mineral sunscreen = white cast no matter what, so I don't dare ask for a holy grail that isn't visible. But would be interested in finding something that applies/spreads more smoothly like a lotion, than thick cream that my toddler doesn't have patience for.

[Anonymous]

I will be honest, we did mineral sunscreen in the early years and with my oldest now 6 I'm back to using whatever I grab from the shelf at the store and it usually isn't mineral. So hopefully others have recs for mineral, but the rec I wanted to share is to use a blush brush to apply the sunscreen on their face. Saw this on instagram and didn't do it for awhile after seeing it and then tried it a few days ago - brilliant.

[Anonymous]

pp here hit submit to early. I guess I actually use smaller than a blush brush but basically a medium sized makeup brush, put sunscreen on it and then you just use the brush to apply to the face. So much easier than trying to get your fingers around their little face and get it in. They are much happier about it too.

[Anonymous]

We got the Sunbum kids roll-on and it has been a game-changer. DD requests to roll it on herself/face daily.

[Anonymous]

Little sun bum or other brand sticks. They (the kid) apply to your face and to their own. Mineral spray for everything else.

[Anonymous]

rash guard

[Anonymous]

Roll on or makeup application brush. The latter especially for the face.

Rash guards are great for sun. They are not great for swimming in water especially with young kids. They keep them too cold. Fine for 2 months out of the year when its 90+ but fyi not great for most of the year or if there is a breeze.

"A typical rash guard worn alone, made of spandex, nylon or polyester will not provide a lot of warmth. This is because it is not thick or strong enough to work like a wetsuit, which keeps a layer of warm water close to the skin. However, a rash guard under a wetsuit can provide an extra layer that helps trap that warm water.

Read more about how wetsuits keep you warm in our Ultimate Wetsuit Guide.

A dry rash guard is great at keeping you warm when you have finished a dive. This is because it will help dry your skin quicker, making you feel warmer. Some rash guards can also be used as a wind barrier. This stops the cold air from chilling your skin, making you feel warmer too!"

[Anonymous]

Not about the product but the application.

Make putting sunscreen on a fun game.

[Anonymous]

I use my Drunk Elephant Unbra Sheer sunscreen on my toddler’s face. It’s $$$ but it spreads easily without a white cast. And you don’t need much just for face. I use Think Kid Sport on body.

Avoid the sprays and powder sunscreens. EWG explains why- you don’t want the sunscreen getting into the respiratory tract.

[Anonymous]

I’ve never used sprays, don’t want DC inhaling that.

When they were little I used sticks for ease but they don’t got as high on SPF as I’d like so I just made them sit while I applied lotion.

We use Sun Bum now (DC is a teen) but before we used some other organic stuff.

[Anonymous]

my toddler is obsessed with applying sunscreen- we use blue lizard typically. i have to fight her to get the sunscreen back. my child is weird but also think it rubs in fairly easily and has the best EWG score (i also own thinkbaby and sunbum)

[Anonymous]

Try using a makeup sponge. I did that with blue lizard for my kids when they were little. I never used aerosol spray or powder due to inhalation. Now that they are older, they use sol rx and Kinesys (pump spray) for their bodies and super goop unseen for their faces. I would prefer they use just mineral sunscreen, but I would rather have them use it period.

[Anonymous]

There is also non-aerosol spray by Rocky Mountain. On Amazon. Reef safe

[Anonymous]

Up and Up spray, with stick for face.

[Anonymous]

Sunbum doesn’t have UVA protection, right? We’re all out of last summer’s stock of British Nivea and won’t see family for a re-up until August.

What do folks use for chemical UVA protection that’s easy to apply and doesn’t stain or leave a white cast?