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Having little kids means lugging around more things than you can imagine—especially living in NYC. The summer is particularly brutal on even my minimal sense of style. My favorite pre-kids summer straw tote will collect dust in my closet in favor of more functional backpacks (yes, multiple) and waterproof BAGGUs of all sizes to hold not only my bare essentials (wallet, phone, keys, water), but my kids’ extra clothes, bathings suits, hats, towels, mosquito spray, toys, waters, snacks and, of course, sunscreen.
For a while I made an amateur mistake of adding my own “adult” sunscreen to the mix, but I’ve grown wiser. Regardless of who it’s marketed to, sunscreen is pretty much the same when you compare physical, chemical or combination sunscreens within their respective categories. Schlepp one less thing around? Music to my ears. This summer I’m taking note of the “adult” and “kids” sunscreens my kids and I wear based on how easy they are to put on, the feel, how they smell and, most importantly, how well they protect our skin.
Sunscreens I Share With (and Steal From) My Kids
1 / 10
The first SPF I ever used on my kids was Thinkbaby. It was probably sleep deprivation, but I forgot my own sunscreen a lot in those early days so I slathered this mineral-based, broad spectrum, Leaping Bunny-certified lotion on myself too. It absorbed quickly, and throughout a summer spent in the Florida sun, we never burned. It’s also dermatologist-recommended, reef-friendly and free of unwanted chemicals.
Key ingredients
Non-nano zinc oxide (23.4%), sunflower seed oil, jojoba seed oil, olive oil, papaya fruit extract
2 / 10
I love how easily Pipette’s mineral SPF blends into skin (especially important when wrangling uncooperative toddlers). That’s in part to a sugarcane-derived version of squalene, called squalane, that’s included in its formula. Another Leaping Bunny–certified lotion, Pipette’s Mineral Sunscreen safely and cleanly restores skin’s natural balance and calms sun-stressed skin while protecting it from harmful UVA/UVB rays.
Key ingredients
Non-nano zinc oxide, squalane, bisabolol
3 / 10
A full-body, broad-spectrum sunscreen the whole family enjoys wearing wasn’t always the easiest to find, until trying Supergoop’s PLAY Everyday Lotion. It never feels sticky, greasy, runny or gloppy, wears well anywhere on the body (face included) and leaves no white cast. If you love it as much as I think you will, you’ll want to invest in the family-friendly 18 oz version.
Key ingredients
Avobenzone (3%), homosalate (10%), octisalate (5%), octocrylene (7.5%), sunflower extract, rosemary and rice bran extracts, natural aromatic extracts
4 / 10
When my babies were at their wiggliest, an SPF stick was the way to go. This option from Supergoop! is nourishing, creamy and goes on so smooth. It’s designed for kids six months to three-years-old, but I like to use the mess-proof SPF on my face too.
Key ingredients
Zinc oxide (20.6%), shea butter, cocoa butter, jojoba oil
5 / 10
Mineral sunscreens tend to leave behind a chalky finish on the skin, but Blue Lizard is surprisingly easy to spread and absorbs really well. The chemical-free formula protects from UVA and UVB rays with 80 minutes of sweat and water resistance. Plus, it’s fragrance-free for extra-sensitive skin types.
Key ingredients
Titanium dioxide (8%), zinc oxide (10%), vitamin E
6 / 10
The newest EWG-certified SPF my kids and I love is Babo Botanicals Daily Sheer Mineral Sunscreen Fluid. It has a liquid texture that makes rubbing it in foolproof and fast, which all parents will appreciate on busy mornings. I especially love its off-white hue for a nearly invisible wear, and that it’s fragrance-free and formulated for sensitive skin. (Bonus: it also comes in a tinted version.)
Key ingredients
Zinc oxide (20.6%), organic raspberry oil, sweet white lupine, passion fruit seed oil
7 / 10
Another great all-natural sunscreen for everyone in the family is this 100 percent non-nano zinc oxide sunscreen from Raw Elements. Not only is it made with antioxidants, vitamins, minerals and extracts to protect and nourish skin after environmental exposure, but it’s reef-friendly too.
Key ingredients
Non-nano zinc oxide (23%), sunflower seed oil, hemp seed oil, beeswax, mango butter, cocoa seed butter, green tea leaf extract, rosemary leaf oil
8 / 10
La Roche-Posay is a constantly-used skin-care brand in our house. I love their effortlessly easy SPF because it doesn’t irritate skin, is easy to apply and feels light and comfortable while we wear it. Plus, it’s oxybenzone-free, octinoxate-free, fragrance-free, paraben-free, oil-free, non-comedogenic and allergy tested.
Key ingredients
Avobenzone (3%), homosalate (13%), octisalate (5%), octocrylene (10%), senna alata, glycerin, vitamin B5, niacinamide, vitamin E, thermal spring water
9 / 10
Mustela is another one of my go-tos since becoming a parent. The brand’s mineral SPF has a sheer texture and formula that’s 93 percent naturally-derived. It’s also recommended as an effective broad-spectrum sunscreen by the Skin Cancer Foundation, recognized by the National Eczema Association with a Seal of Acceptance and EWG certified.
10 / 10
Once my kids went from babies to little kids, I switched over to Thinkkids. It has the same great formula and certifications as Thinkbaby, but with an active child’s time spent in the water in mind. According to the brand, Thinkkids provides the highest water resistance per the FDA, offering kids continuous protection for up to 80 minutes in the pool or ocean. Plus, thanks to its fast-absorbing, hydrating formula, the broad-spectrum protection begins instantly.
Key ingredients
Zinc oxide (23.4%), sunflower seed oil, jojoba seed oil, olive oil, papaya fruit extract
5 Sunscreens I Keep for Myself
1 / 5
Hands down, EltaMD’s SPF is my favorite sunscreen of all time. The niacinamide-infused formula goes on so refreshingly, never leaves a white cast and is ideal for summer months when my skin reacts to the heat and humidity with more frequent blemishes.
Key ingredients
Zinc oxide (9.0%), octinoxate (7.5%), niacinamide
2 / 5
On the days I need to wear face makeup, I love this skin-smoothing tinted SPF from Tatcha. (Meghan Markle is also a fan.) Its formula is formidable in protecting against photoaging, neutralizing environmental stressors and visibly evening tone. As its name suggests, its formula contains amino-acid rich silk extract that, per the brand, provides a smoothing “veil” over the face for a “second skin” luster.
Key ingredients
KLEAIR zinc oxide, hyaluronic acid, niacinamide, silk extract
3 / 5
Another great tinted SPF comes from Kopari. When my skin is looking lackluster and uneven, it brightens complexions instantly thanks to a vitamin C–rich formula that also includes sustainably sourced, glow-inducing mica. It doesn’t get better for a bright, lit-from-within, natural-looking radiance.
Key ingredients
Zinc oxide (10%), vitamin C, astaxanthin, niacinamide, mica
4 / 5
I’m addicted to the nostalgic beach-vacation smell of Vacation’s Classic Lotion so much I won’t share it with anyone else in my family. Scent aside, it rubs in fast and soothes and protects every inch of my skin with ingredients like aloe vera, coconut oil and vitamin E.
Key ingredients
Avobenzone (2.5%), homosalate (10%), octisalate (5%), octocrylene (8%), coconut oil, aloe vera, banana extract, vitamin E, niacinamide
5 / 5
Technically, I have used this on my kids’ faces before, and it worked great, but I prefer to save every drop of this velvety-smooth face SPF for myself. It’s what I grab when I want my complexion to look as baby soft as my 4-year-old daughter’s. The translucent gel is unlike any other as it glides on invisibly. Bonus: it doubles as a beautiful makeup primer.
Key ingredients
Avobenzone (3%), homosalate (8%), octisalate (5%), octocrylene (4%), red algae, frankincense, meadowfoam seed oil complex
