WE all know it’s vital to protect children’s skin in the sun, but in practise it can be anything but simple.
Aside from keeping kids still long enough to apply sun cream you need to ensure your chosen product delivers adequate protection, is suited to their skin type and won’t leave them vulnerable the second they take a dip in the pool.
Children’s skin is much more sensitive than adults' and NHS guidance advises against long periods spent in direct sunlight and recommends using a sun cream that offers at least SPF 30.
A mineral sun cream, which creates a barrier on top of the sun to reflect sunlight, is recommended for children, particularly those with sensitive skin. If you’re unsure if a sun cream is chemical or mineral you can check the ingredient list - common mineral sunscreen ingredients include titanium dioxide or zinc oxide.
Even with a mineral sun cream you need to check the reapplication advice on the label. Many products recommend reapplying every couple of hours, particularly if you’ll be spending time in direct sun. Be particularly cautious if children are in and out of the paddling pool, swimming pool or sea as even water resistant sun creams are likely to need topping up after a dip.
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Once you’ve decided on the best formula you can decide whether a cream, spray, roll on, or combination of the three, is going to be easiest to apply. It may also be worth considering a coloured lotion that can help ensure you’ve protected every inch of your little one.
To help you make an informed decision, we’ve tested some of the best sunscreens for kids and babies available.
Best sunscreens for kids at a glance:
- Best overall sunscreen for kids: Altruist Dermatologist SPF 50 Family Sunspray
- Best sunscreen for toddlers: Childs Farm SPF 50+ Cream
- Best mineral sunscreen for kids: Ultrasun 50+ kids sun screen
- Best budget sunscreen: ASDA Protect SPF 50+ Cooling Clear Sun Mist
- Best for sensitive skin: MooGoo Natural Sunscreen SPF 40
Altruist Dermatologist Family Sunspray
Altruist Dermatologist SPF50 Family Sunspray (250ml), £12.25
Pros: Easy-to-use spray, good value, quick to apply
Cons: Clinical packaging, spray can be messy, bulky to carry
Rating: 4.5/5
Designed by a UK dermatologist, the Altruist brand has earned a glowing reputation for its excellent sun protection products.
This Family Sunspray is suitable for babies from six months. It has a five-star ultra UVA rating and delivers broad-spectrum protection against both UVA and UVB radiation.
I'm generally not a fan of sunscreen sprays as they tend to be messy and get cream on towels, bags and clothes - but my kids loved this.
The nine-year-old and six-year-old had no problem using the trigger spray on themselves - and each other.
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The consistency of the cream is lightweight and it absorbs quickly without stickiness. Plus, the lotion is dermatologically tested, hypoallergenic and water-resistant.
As well as the spray, there is a 100ml tube available.
Key specs: Type: Cream spray; SPF: 50; Water-resistant: Yes; Vegan: Yes; Size: 250ml; Mineral/chemical: Chemical
Childs Farm SPF 50+ Cream
Childs Farm SPF 50+ Cream, £12
Pros: Suitable from birth and for sensitive skin, socially-responsible ingredients
Cons: Nothing major
Rating: 4.5/5
Child's Farm develops products for children's delicate skin so its sun cream range is ideal for kids and babies with dry, sensitive or eczema-prone skin.
The sun cream is water-resistant with an SPF rating of 50+, protecting against UVB and UVA rays. It absorbs quickly and offers instant protection.
It feels very light when applying and I found that a little went a long way.
It's also made from socially-responsible and naturally derived ingredients.
Key specs: Type: Cream SPF: 50 Water-resistant: Yes Vegan: Yes Size: 50ml; Mineral/chemical: Chemical
La Roche Posay Anthelios Dermo Pediatrics Smooth Lotion
La Roche Posay Anthelios Dermo Pediatrics Smooth Lotion SPF 50+ (200ml), £20.72
Pros: Feels lightweight and hydrating, easy to apply, water and sweat-resistant
Cons: Expensive
Rating: 4.5/5
Made by French pharmaceutical brand La Roche-Posay, this kids' sun lotion offers a very high level of protection (SPF 50+), especially for sensitive and fragile skin types.
The formula has a patented sun filtering system called Mexoplex® which is combined with La Roche-Posay thermal spring water, which is a skin-soothing antioxidant.
The main thing that I noticed when applying this to the kids' skin, is how smooth and hydrating it feels - more like a moisturiser than a sun cream - and not at all greasy or sticky.
The texture is ultra-light, almost like water, and is suitable for the face and body. Plus, it's fragrance-free and water, sweat, and sand resistant.
It also comes in a super-handy invisible spray, which is ideal for speedier sun cream applications on the kids, leaving you more time for fun in the sun.
Key specs: Type: Cream SPF: 50 Water-resistant: Yes Vegan: Yes Size: 200ml; Mineral/chemical: Chemical
Evy Technology Sunscreen Mousse SPF 50 Kids
Evy Technology Sunscreen Mousse SPF 50 Kids, £25
Pros: Fun for kids to apply, sinks in quickly, water-resistant, unscented,
Cons: Expensive
Rating: 4.5/5
Does your child run screaming from the room every time you approach them with a bottle of sunscreen? Swedish skincare brand, Evy Technology, has just the thing for you.
Their brilliant sunscreen mousse comes out a little like shaving foam and my testers couldn’t wait to start rubbing it all over their skin.
It feels cloud light, absorbs quickly and gives plenty of protection from even powerful holiday sunshine.
It’s also water-resistant, unscented and light enough on the skin for parents to pinch – ideal for active family holidays.
Key specs: Type: Mousse; SPF: 50; Water-resistant: Yes; Vegan: Yes; Mineral/chemical: Chemical
Soltan Kids Protect & Moisturise Lotion SPF 50+
Soltan Kids Protect & Moisturise Suncare Lotion (200ml), £4.50
Pros: Budget-friendly, roll-on available
Cons: Slightly oily feel on application
Rating: 4/5
When it comes to budget-friendly sun protection, Soltan Kids Protect & Moisturise Suncare Lotion is a great choice.
It offers SPF 50 protection and a five-star UVA rating. It's also hypoallergenic and water-resistant, making it a great companion for summer days spent in the garden with the paddling pool.
The consistency of the cream is fairly light, plus it has a pleasant, faint smell, which my mini-testers liked. It initially sunk in quickly, and although it left a slightly oily residue, this disappeared after a few minutes.
In terms of look and feel, it's not the most sophisticated on the market, but for the price and the level of sun protection it provides, it's a total bargain.
Soltan also sent us the Kids Suncare Roll-on, £4, to try, which my testers adored as they could apply it themselves, making the whole process quick and tantrum-free.
Key specs: Type: Cream; SPF: 50; Water-resistant: Yes; Vegan: Yes, Size: 200ml; Mineral/chemical: Chemical
Ultrasun 50+ kids sun screen
Ultrasun Kids SPF 50+, £32
Pros: Suitable from birth and for sensitive skin types, easy to apply and non-greasy
Cons: Expensive at £32 for £150ml, a little bit sticky
Rating: 4/5
Ultrasun offers powerful sun protection and is a great choice for youngsters with sensitive skin.
The formula protects against the entire light spectrum with UVB (SPF50+), UVA (95%) and Infrared-A protection plus the active ingredient, Celligent® neutralises free radicals which can damage skin cells.
It was easy to use and one bottle should get you through your summer holiday.
It went onto my kids' skin smoothly and absorbed quickly but it felt a little bit thicker than some of the other sun creams I tried. It absorbed quickly but their skin felt a tiny bit sticky where it had been applied.
However, it didn't feel oily or greasy and the consistency gave you a confidence that it was providing some serious protection for delicate young skin.
Key specs: Type: Cream; SPF: 50; Water-resistant: Yes; Vegan: Yes; Size: 150ml; Mineral/chemical: Mineral
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Malibu Kids sunscreen
Malibu Kids SPF 50 Sunscreen (200ml), £5.99
Pros: Cheap , water resistant, vegan
Cons: Need to apply 30 minutes before sun exposure
Rating: 4/5
I was eager to try out the Malibu sun cream on my family as I always use the Malibu scalp protector - check out the best sun protection for hair to find out more.
The Malibu Kids sunscreen is suitable for all ages and is a great value choice. It offers 50+ SPF protection against UVA and UVB rays - as well as Vitamin E and aloe vera.
I tested the 200ml bottle, but it's also available in 100ml.
It's easy to apply from a squeeze bottle and went onto my kids' skin smoothly. It felt very lightweight and the older two could squeeze the bottle to apply it by themselves (with a bit of guidance).
It is recommended to apply 30 minutes before going in the sun, where other sunscreens offer instant protection. Also, it suggests you reapply frequently if it's rubbed off, which may mean you end up using more than other brands in the long run.
However, it's gentle on the skin and vegan too.
Key specs: Type: Cream; SPF: 50; Water-resistant: Yes; Vegan: Yes; Size: 200ml; Mineral/chemical: Chemical
MooGoo Natural Sunscreen SPF 40
MooGoo Natural Sunscreen SPF 40, £16.50
Pros: Fragrance-free, moisturising, not sticky
Cons: Takes a little while to absorb
Rating: 4/5
Specially made for those who cannot tolerate any sort of chemical sunscreen, MooGoo is a mineral sun cream that uses a high zinc-based formula to form a protective shield against the sun.
The instructions state that it is best to warm the sunscreen up on the skin before rubbing it in, which is a bit of a faff with young children, but does make the process easier in the long run.
Like most of zinc creams, it is thick, but it eases into the skin nicely, leaving only a slight white cast.
The cream is fragrance-free, not tacky and it feels exceptionally gentle and moisturising.
Key specs: Type: Zinc cream; SPF: 30; Water-resistant: Yes; Size: 120g; Mineral/chemical: Mineral
Asda Protect SPF 50+ Cooling Clear Sun Mist
ASDA Protect SPF 50+ Cooling Clear Sun Mist (200ml), £4
Pros: Cheap, easy to apply, cooling spray
Cons: Difficult to apply to faces
Rating: 4/5
Another bargain sun spray, I found the performance of this ASDA Cooling Clear Sun Mist seriously outshined its mega-value price tag.
Boasting the highest available five-star UVA protection and a high SPF of 50, the transparent mist formula soaked into skin as quick as a flash and felt almost non-existent after a few seconds.
My mini testers screamed with joy as the cold spray hit them – and it does come out pretty chilly – but on a hot day it's a nice, cooling relief, and it sinks into skin so quickly my testers didn't mind applying it at all.
I found the mist formula was also great for getting to hard-to-reach places, although it was tricky to apply to faces as the spray comes out so fast and cold. I found it easier to spray into my hands and speedily spread it across my testers' faces before it disappeared.
A budget-busting beauty that you can pick up on your weekly shop, this ASDA Sun Mist is a summer must-have.
Key specs: Type: Cream spray; SPF: 50; Water-resistant: Yes; Vegan: Yes; Size: 200ml; Mineral/chemical: Chemical
Lancaster Sun Sensitive Water Resistant Milky Spray
Lancaster Sun Sensitive Water Resistant Milky Spray, £24
Pros: Can be applied on wet skin, lightweight spray, ocean-friendly, sustainable packaging
Cons: Sticky
Rating: 4/5
Offering UVA, UVB SPF 50 and visible light and infrared protection, this sunscreen is formulated to give your children sun protection in a surprisingly lightweight spray.
I found this product offered brilliant protection and I liked that it could be reapplied even on wet skin. It also has good eco-credentials with ocean-friendly ingredients and sustainable packaging.
The sunscreen itself didn’t irritate young skin at all, however, it was a little on the sticky side and the spray formula made it trickier to spot any missed patches.
Key specs: Type: Spray cream SPF: 50 Water-resistant: Yes Size: 150ml
Green People Organic Children Scent Free Sun Cream
Green People Organic Children Scent Free Sun Cream (150ml), £27
Pros: Eco-conscious, gentle on sun-sensitive skin
Cons: Slightly thicker consistency, expensive, only SPF30
Rating: 3.5/5
Containing 84 per cent organic ingredients, this sun cream by Green People is a crowd-pleaser amongst eco-conscious parents who love its recyclable, plant-based packaging and reef-safe formula.
The cream has a medium consistency and it takes a little rubbing in before it completely disappears, compared to other, thinner cream formulas. But, once it had been absorbed, it had one of the best feelings on the skin – not sticky at all, almost like a body moisturiser.
Scent-free and super gentle on delicate skin, it has UVA and UVB protection with SPF30.
Key specs: Type: Cream SPF: 30 Water-resistant: Yes Vegan: Yes Size: 150ml; Mineral/chemical: Mineral
NIVEA Sun Kids Protect & Care SPF 50+ Coloured Spray
NIVEA Sun Kids Protect & Care SPF 50+ Coloured Spray, £7
Pros: Coloured formula, water-resistant, good value
Cons: Slightly sticky/tacky, strong scent, not vegan
Rating: 3/5
Developed specifically for children’s skin, this sun spray comes out a vivid blue, so it's much easier to identify exactly where it's landed on your child's skin, avoiding any accidental patches of sunburn.
Once sprayed on my testers, they enjoyed rubbing in the colourful lotion until it disappeared. The formula itself is very lightweight and soaked in fairly quickly, although skin felt tacky for slightly longer than other sprays.
It had one of the strongest scents of the bunch, although it was pleasant and it reminded me of holidays.
The brand claims this lotion is 'extra water-resistant', and it has an SPF rating of 50+ and a UVA rating of four stars, providing immediate protection against UVA and UVB rays.
Key specs: Type: Cream spray; SPF: 50; Water-resistant: Yes; Vegan: No; Size: 200ml; Mineral/chemical: Chemical
Solait Kids Sun Cream Spray SPF50+
Solait Kids Sun Cream Spray SPF50+ (200ml), £5.99
Pros: Coloured formula, water-resistant, good value
Cons: Can mark white clothes
Rating: 3/5
The chunky trigger-spray design of this bottle of this Solait Kids Sun Cream Spray is enough for children to get excited at the prospect of spraying themselves with cream, which earned it major points from me.
My three sun-safe testers enjoyed trying it out and found it easy to spray. The formula comes out green, which my kids loved, although it's advisable to keep it away from clothes (especially white garments) as one preschool top was stained before I even left the house.
That said, it performed really well in every other respect – it smells lovely, the formula sinks in well without a sticky feel and it offers five-star UVA and UVB protection.
It's also paediatrician-approved and extra water-resistant, so it's the ideal companion for a trip to the seaside or water park.
Key specs: Type: Cream spray; SPF: 50; Water-resistant: Yes; Vegan: Yes; Size: 200ml
How we tested these products
All sun creams have been tested by a member of The Sun's team. They were all worn for at least one day and the testers considered factors including the application of the cream or spray, the level of protection it offered, scent, feel and how often reapplication was required.
Where to buy kids sunscreens in the UK
You can buy kids sunscreen at many online retailers including:
- Amazon
- Asda
- Boots
- Cult Beauty
- Green People
- Look Fantastic
- John Lewis
- La Roche Posay
- MooGoo
- Sephora
- Superdrug
- Ultrasun
Why is wearing sun cream so important for kids?
"Children’s skin is more delicate than adults," said Consultant Dermatologist Dr Derrick Phillips when we put this question to him. "So ensuring that your child wears an SPF daily is recommended, even if it is just on the areas visible to daylight."
"It is important to put this habit into our children young. By doing this every day with them, it is more likely they will implement this into their routine when they grow up."
"Our skin is made healthy by certain proteins, such as elastin and collagen," he continued, "so exposing your child to sunlight without sunscreen is only going to assist in devastating these essential proteins."
"These proteins all ensure that your child’s skin is smooth and healthy, so this needs to be protected for as long as possible."
He recommends that you should reapply sunscreen to kids every two to three hours, especially in hotter temperatures.
What are mineral sunscreens?
There are two main types of sunscreen on the market: chemical and mineral sunscreen. As the name suggests, chemical sunscreens use chemicals to filter out the sun’s damaging UV rays, whereas mineral sunscreens form a physical barrier against UV with mineral ingredients such as titanium dioxide or zinc oxide
There are pros and cons to both. Chemical sunscreens are often more widely available, can be more long-lasting and are generally a bit more affordable. Mineral sunscreens are often a little gentler on young sensitive skin as they don’t penetrate the skin or contain harsh chemicals and they may be less of a pollutant to seas and reefs.
However, the formula can be more chalky and take a while to sink in, they may need to be applied more often and they can be more expensive.
How to apply children’s sunscreen
The NHS advises suncream application 30 minutes before going outside and then just before going out, too. Sunscreen also needs to be reapplied every two hours or after swimming or lots of sweaty playing. Easier said than done, right?
Applying sun cream to toddlers and children sometimes feels a little like wrestling a particularly slippery eel and often results in more sunscreen on you than on them. If in doubt, aim for a more is more approach and slap as much on as possible, if sunscreen is applied too thinly it reduces the amount of protection.
If your child is particularly resistant to sunscreen application, look for fun formulas such as mousses or colourful creams that they can engage with and enjoy helping to put on.
What to look for in children’s sunscreen
Keeping children in the shade during peak sunny hours and covering them with suitable clothing is an absolute must to stay sun-safe. However, children also need a reliable sunscreen that won’t irritate sensitive skin, is easy to apply and will protect them through many hours of active play, sometimes while splashing in and out of water. Many sunscreen brands have formulas created especially with children, toddlers and babies in mind.
What’s the difference between UVA and UVB protection?
A sunscreen’s SPF – or sun protection factor – is a measure of the amount of UVB protection, which stops sunburn. SPF varies between 2-50, but for children’s sunscreen you need to look for a minimum SPF30 to protect their skin
However, you also need to protect little ones from ultraviolet A radiation (UVA), which causes lasting damage too. Look for the letters ‘UVA’ inside a circle, which is a European marking and shows that the UVA protection meets EU recommendations.
You may also see a star rating of up to five stars on UK sunscreens (the higher the star rating, the higher the protection). It is important to look for a sunscreen that filters both UVA and UVB rays, also known as broad-spectrum sunscreens.
How much do kids' sunscreens cost?
The price of sunscreen for kids and babies varies hugely, anything from £3 to £30.
The price is influenced by the ingredients used and the level of UV protection. Also natural, organic ingredients - which are kinder to the environment and your child's skin - can often be more expensive.
Consider the age of your child - you may want to spend a bit more for a natural, gentle formula for younger kids and babies who have the most delicate skin, prone to irritation.
What is the best baby sunscreen?
From our list, we would recommend the following sunscreens for babies - all suitable from birth:
- Ultrasun kids sunscreen
- Child's Farm kids sunscreen
- Green People Organic Children Scent Free Sun Cream
