The 6 Best Organic Sunscreen for Kids – Natural Sunscreens

Looking for the best organic sunscreen for kids? These 6 picks tested in 2023 are made with organic, natural, non-toxic ingredients you can feel good about as a parent! I know I do!

If you have kids, you already know how much they love to play outside. Whether it’s building sandcastles at the beach, running around in the park, swinging on the playground, or riding bikes in the neighborhood, outdoor activities are a great way for them to have fun and stay healthy.

But while you’re letting your kiddos enjoy the fresh air and sunshine, don’t forget to protect their skin from the sun’s harmful rays! In this post, I’m testing and reviewing the best organic sunscreen for kids on the market right now! I hope this helps you find the best sunscreen for your family! Leave any questions in the comments – I’m happy to answer them!

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6 Best Organic Sunscreen For Kids – Tested and Reviewed in 2023

Babyganics SPF 50

Babyganics SPF 50 is a hybrid sunscreen that combines chemical and mineral formulas to provide broad spectrum protection against UVA and UVB rays without endocrine disruptor chemicals.

It is water-resistant for up to 80 minutes and tear-free, so it won’t sting your kids’ eyes. It also contains a blend of natural seed oils that nourish and support your kids’ skin.

My take: This one has a nice thin consistency. It spreads easily and one of the best parts is that you get so much product for a great price! This is the largest bottle of all of the sunscreens I tested for this post. In my opinion, it doesn’t really have a small which is great for those sensitive to fragrance.

What I liked:

• It is hypoallergenic and dermatologist-tested, so it is suitable for sensitive skin.
• This one is a great value. It is affordable and widely available online or at local stores.
• It is easy to apply and rubs in well without leaving a white cast.
• The scent is mild and pleasant that is not overpowering.
• Has a higher SPF – SPF 50.
• It is a mineral-based sunscreen that is great for young children.
• Offers brown spectrum protection.

Badger Baby SPF 40

Badger Baby SPF 40 is a mineral sunscreen that uses zinc oxide as the only active ingredient to provide broad-spectrum protection against UVA and UVB rays.

It is water-resistant for up to 40 minutes and has a mild scent of chamomile and calendula. It also contains organic sunflower oil, beeswax, jojoba oil, and vitamin E to moisturize and nourish your kids’ skin.

My take: This one has a thick consistency that makes it a tad hard to squeeze out of the bottle. However, I LOVED the scent of this one. It has a very gentle chamomile scent that just smells so good. I would repurchase for the scent alone. It also rubs in very well – thanks to the clear zinc making the white cast not be much of a problem. See my comparisons further down! If I had to pick just one, I would say this one is a top pick

Pros of Badger:

• It is certified organic by the USDA and contains 98% organic ingredients – between active and inactive ingrdients.
• Avoids harsh chemicals and is safe and gentle for your kids’ skin than conventional sunscreen.
• It is effective and long-lasting, as it does not degrade or lose its effectiveness when exposed to the sun.
• It is easy to find and buy online or at natural health stores.
• Water resistance is 40 minutes.

Raw Elements SPF 30

Raw Elements SPF 30 is a mineral sunscreen that uses zinc oxide as the only active ingredient to provide broad-spectrum protection against UVA and UVB rays. It is water-resistant for up to 80 minutes and has a neutral scent that will never sting the eyes. It also contains organic sunflower oil, beeswax, green tea, black tea, coffee bean, hemp seed oil, and cocoa butter to moisturize and nourish your kids’ skin.

My take: At first I thought I wouldn’t like that this came in a tin but it actually made it really easy to apply and get the right amount of sunscreen. It has a really nice smell – it’s an earthy cocoa butter smell. But this one is more expensive than other brands, so that’s something to keep in mind! It’s quite a thin consistency that spreads easily. It also did not melt in the heat which is something I was worried about.

Pros of Raw Elements:

• It is safe and gentle for your kids’ skin.
• Water resistant for 80 minutes (reapply after being in the water).
• SPF 30
• It is cruelty-free and vegan-friendly, so it does not contain any animal-derived ingredients or by-products.
• It is certified natural by the Natural Products Association and contains 95% organic ingredients.

Two Peas Organics SPF 30

Two Peas Organics SPF 30 is a mineral sunscreen that uses zinc oxide as the only active ingredient to provide broad-spectrum protection against UVA and UVB rays.

It is water-resistant for up to 80 minutes and has an unscented formula. It also contains organic coconut oil, jojoba oil, shea butter, and sunflower oil to moisturize and nourish your kids’ skin.

My take: This one takes a little bit more time to rub in than others I tried. You don’t need nearly as much product as you think you do because it has a thick consistency. The scent is mild but earthy. It’s not my favorite scent but it does fade after you apply it.

My family really liked this one and would purchase it again! The bottle is fairly small – only 3 ounces – but a little goes a very long way.

Pros:

• It is safe and gentle for your kids’ skin.
• It is effective and long-lasting – water resistant for 80 minutes.
• SPF 30
• It is reef-safe and biodegradable, so it does not harm coral reefs or marine life.
• It is certified natural by the Natural Products Association and contains 87% organic ingredients.

All Good Organic Sunscreen Butter SPF 50

All Good Organic Sunscreen Butter SPF 50 is a mineral sunscreen that uses zinc oxide as the only active ingredient.

Designed to be a travel sunscreen, it is formulated for convenient use on the go. It is water-resistant for up to 80 minutes and has a neutral tint that blends with most skin tones. It also contains organic coconut oil, jojoba oil, beeswax, and vitamin E.

My take: This is a mineral sunscreen that uses non-nano zinc which I love. It has no smell in my opinion. The consistency is quite thick, though, and it does take a minute to warm it up on your finger before applying. I think this is best as a face sunscreen personally. Especially because the container is very small.

Pros:

• It is safe and gentle for your kids’ skin
• Offers SPF 50 and is water resistant for 80 minutes
• It is certified organic by the USDA and contains 100% natural ingredients.
• It comes in a travel-size container that is easy to carry and apply.

This one is more expensive than others on this list. Unless you are traveling, I don’t personally think this is the best option from a budget perspective. That said, it is still a really good sunscreen option as a best organic sunscreen for kids.

MADE OF Organic Baby Sunscreen

MADE OF Organic Baby Sunscreen is a mineral sunscreen that uses zinc oxide as the only active ingredient. It is rated 1 by EWG and is also NSF Organic Certified.

It is water-resistant for up to 80 minutes and has a fragrance-free formula. It also contains organic argan oil, coconut oil, sunflower oil, and shea butter to moisturize and nourish your kids’ skin. It is also non-GMO, soy-free, phthalate-free, and paraben-free. 

My take: This one is hard to squeeze out of the bottle which I found made it hard to get just the right amount. It also left a slight white cast on my skin. This one is also a bit expensive per ounce. However, it is made with non-nano zinc oxide which is the preferable kind of sunscreen so it’s still a great option in my book.

Pros:

• It is certified organic by the USDA and NSF and contains 75% organic and 25% natural ingredients.
• It is safe and gentle for your kids’ skin
• Made with non-nano zinc oxide.
• It has a high rating from the Environmental Working Group (EWG) for its safety and cleanliness.

The White Cast Test

I swiped on all of these sunscreens next to each other and gently rubbed them in so you can see how the white cast appears.

From bottom to top in the photos:

• Two Peas Organics SPF 30
• Babyganics SPF 50
• Badger Baby SPF 40
• MADE OF Organic Baby Sunscreen
• Raw Elements SPF 30
• All Good Organic Sunscreen Butter SPF 50

I used a small amount of sunscreen to illustrate this and showed each gently rubbed in. Because I am comparing them, I did not rub aggressively so this is just for you to see what might be left behind!

Most of them do leave a white cast but vary in how much. Raw Elements SPF 30 left the least mount of white cast and MADE OF Organic Baby Sunscreen left the most. I personally feel that if you rub it in well enough, this truly won’t be a significant problem.

Why Do You Need Protect Kids and Babies From The Sun?

The sun emits UV rays that can damage skin cells and cause a whole host of issues, including sunburn, skin cancer, early skin aging, and eye injury.

Children’s skin is more sensitive to UV rays than adults. This means it is especially important to shield them from too much sun exposure.

According to the CDC, most skin cancers are caused by too much exposure to UV light. And when kids are exposed to too much sun and sunburn, it increases the risk of skin cancer in later life.

One of the best ways to protect your kids’ skin from the sun is to use sunscreen. Sunscreen is a product that blocks or absorbs UV rays, reducing the amount of sun damage. 

Not All Sunscreens Are Created Equally!

That said, not all sunscreens are created equal. Some sunscreens contain chemicals that may be harmful to your kids’ health or the environment. That’s why many parents prefer to use organic sunscreen for their kids.

Organic sunscreen is made from natural ingredients that are safe and gentle for your kids’ skin.

They do not contain synthetic fragrances, parabens, phthalates, or other potentially harmful chemicals.

Organic sunscreen also does not harm coral reefs or marine life, unlike some conventional sunscreens that contain oxybenzone or octinoxate.

In this article, I’ll tell you everything you need to know about organic sunscreen for kids. I’ll explain how it works, how to choose the best one for your kids’ skin type and activity level, and how to apply it correctly.

I’ll also share some of our favorite organic sunscreen products for kids that you can buy right now.

Hopefully, by the end of this article, you’ll be ready to enjoy the sun with your kids without worrying about their skin health!

I also avoided spray sunscreens because they have been seen to contain harmful chemicals like benzene in testing. There are better ways to protect your kids from the sun’s rays.

Preview the list of top organic sunscreens for kids

Here is a short and sweet list of all the products that made it to our list of the top organic sunscreens for kids. I’ll cover each of these in greater detail later on in this guide: 

• Babyganics SPF 50
• Badger Baby SPF 40
• Raw Elements SPF 30
• Two Peas Organics SPF 30
• All Good Organic Sunscreen Butter SPF 50
• MADE OF Organic Baby Sunscreen

Why Choose Organic Sunscreens For Kids?

You may think that any sunscreen is better than no sunscreen, but that’s not necessarily true.

Some conventional sunscreens contain harmful chemicals that can be absorbed into your kids’ body and cause health problems.

Here are some of the potential harms of using conventional sunscreens with harmful chemicals:

• They can disrupt hormones and affect fertility, reproduction, and development. Some of the most common chemicals in conventional sunscreens are oxybenzone, octinoxate, homosalate, and avobenzone. These chemicals can mimic or block hormones such as estrogen, testosterone, and thyroid hormones. 
• They can cause skin irritation and allergies. Some people, especially kids, may have allergic reactions or skin sensitivity to some of the chemicals in conventional sunscreens. 
• They can harm the environment and marine life. Some of the chemicals in conventional sunscreens can wash off your skin and end up in the water when you swim or shower.
• They can increase the risk of cancer and other diseases. This happens when some of the chemicals generate free radicals when they react with the sun. Free radicals are unstable molecules that can damage your DNA and cause mutations that can lead to cancer and other diseases. 
• Some of the chemicals in conventional sunscreens can irritate your eyes if they get into them, damaging your eyes and vision.

Organic sunscreens are a safer option for your kids because they do not contain these harmful chemicals.

Instead, they use natural ingredients such as zinc oxide or titanium dioxide to block or reflect the UV rays from your skin. These ingredients are not absorbed into your body and do not disrupt your hormones or cause allergies. They are also better for the environment.

Here is a look at some of the benefits of using organic sunscreen for your kids:

• They protect your kids from both UVA and UVB rays. Using a physical sunscreen, not chemical versions.
• They are gentle and moisturizing for your kids’ skin. Organic sunscreens often contain natural ingredients such as aloe vera, coconut oil, organic shea butter, or jojoba oil that nourish and hydrate your kids’ skin. 
• They are cruelty-free and vegan-friendly. Organic sunscreens do not contain any animal-derived ingredients or by-products. 
• They are more effective and long-lasting. Organic sunscreens with zinc oxide or titanium dioxide do not degrade or lose their effectiveness when exposed to the sun, unlike some chemical sunscreens that can break down over time.
• They are more affordable and accessible. Organic sunscreens are often cheaper than conventional sunscreens because they use fewer and simpler ingredients. 

As you can see, going for organic sunscreens is a great choice for your kids if you want to protect their skin from the sun without exposing them to harmful chemicals.

How To Choose The Best Organic Sunscreen For Lids

Here are some tips to help you make the best decision when choosing an organic sunscreen for your kids:

• Look for a sun protection factor (SPF) of at least 30. SPF indicates how well a sunscreen protects your kids from sunburn caused by UVB rays. The higher the SPF, the more protection it offers. 
• Look for zinc oxide or titanium dioxide as the active ingredients. These are mineral filters that physically block or reflect the UV rays from your kids’ skin. They are not absorbed into your kids’ body and do not disrupt their hormones or cause allergies.
• Avoid harmful chemicals such as oxybenzone, octinoxate, homosalate, avobenzone, and others. These are chemical filters that absorb the UV rays and convert them into heat. They can be absorbed into your kids’ body and disrupt their hormones or cause skin irritation and allergies.
• Read the ingredient labels carefully and look for certified organic or natural products. Some sunscreens may claim to be organic or natural but still contain synthetic ingredients that may be harmful to your kids’ health or the environment. Look for products that have been certified by reputable organizations such as the USDA, NSF, or NPA. These products have to meet strict standards for their ingredients, production, and labeling.
• Apply organic sunscreen properly and frequently. No matter how good your organic sunscreen is, it won’t work if you don’t use it correctly. You should apply about a teaspoon of sunscreen to each exposed area of your kids’ body at least 15 minutes before going outside. You should reapply every two hours or more often if your kids sweat or swim. Don’t forget to also use other sun protection measures such as hats, sunglasses, clothing, and shade.

FAQ About Organic Sunscreen For Kids

What does SPF mean and how high should it be? 

SPF stands for sun protection factor and indicates how well a sunscreen protects your kids from sunburn caused by UVB rays. The higher the SPF, the more protection it offers.

However, SPF does not measure how well a sunscreen protects your kids from UVA rays, which can cause skin aging and cancer.

That’s why you need to look for a broad-spectrum sunscreen that blocks both UVA and UVB rays. Go for a sunscreen with an SPF of at least 30 for your kids, as this blocks about 97% of UVB rays.

How often should I reapply organic sunscreen? 

You should reapply organic sunscreen every two hours or more often if your kids sweat or swim. You should also reapply after towel-drying or rubbing your kids’ skin.

Even if your organic sunscreen is water-resistant, it can still wear off over time or be washed off by water.

Is organic sunscreen effective and safe? 

Organic sunscreen is effective and safe for your kids’ skin. The use natural ingredients such as zinc oxide or titanium dioxide to block or reflect the UV rays from your kids’ skin.

These ingredients are not absorbed into your kids’ body. They are also better for the environment and marine life. 

Along with using a safe sunscreen, keep your young children out of direct sunlight as much as possible, especially during the sun’s strongest hours from 10am – 2pm. This has always been a recommendation from the American Academy of Dermatology.

Final Thoughts on The Best Organic Sunscreen For Kids – The Bottom Line

As a parent, you obviously want the best for your child. That includes protecting their skin from the harmful effects of the sun. That’s why choosing organic sunscreen for kids is a smart move.

In this article, I have reviewed some of the best organic sunscreens for kids on the market today.

I hope that this guide has has helped you understand the importance of using organic options when it comes to sunscreen for kids.

You also now know what to look for when shopping for one. Remember, your child’s skin is precious and deserves the best care possible. So don’t skimp on sunscreen and always choose organic for a safer option! Good luck!

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