Non-greasy Sunscreen for My Toddler

Updated on July 26, 2010
M.B. asks from Honolulu, HI
18 answers

Can anyone recommend a non-greasy sunscreen for daily use for my 2-yr old? He just started a montessori school last week and he has 2 outdoor playtimes, each 30 min long. I haven't been putting sunscreen on him, but feel like I should be as an hr/day outside in the HI sun adds up. He's got tan skin so I'm not worried about burning, just long term sun damage. I don't mind putting regular "water babies" on for the beach/pool, but don't want him to have to sport the greasy/white face look for a school day.

Something that goes on quickly would be awesome!

Thanks!

What can I do next?

  • Add yourAnswer own comment
  • Ask your own question Add Question
  • Join the Mamapedia community Mamapedia
  • as inappropriate
  • this with your friends

Featured Answers

S.H.

answers from San Diego on

I love the Coppertone for Kids spray on sunscreen. I even use it for myself now; it's fast, it's easy and it dries quickly.

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

A.H.

answers from Los Angeles on

Sunscreens have a lot of chemicals in them. The Environmental Working Group studied most and came up with a recommended list for children. Google their name and you'll easily find the study report.

More Answers

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

A.S.

answers from San Diego on

Hello!

Finding a good sunscreen is certainly hard -- one the kids like, non-greasy, and non-toxic as well. We use California Baby and Alba. CA Baby also has a non-greasy face stick. They can be purchased at Target in the baby section, not the sunscreen section. Alba is very emollient and may be purchased at health food stores or Whole Foods.

Also, here is a great link our family uses all of the time for toxicity ratings. Most sunscreens may protect you from the sun, but because our skin absorbs 70-80% of what is applied, we are actually absorbing chemicals that we would never dream of giving our kids and ourselves. It's also nice to see what your current sunscreen is rated. Good luck in your quest!

http://www.ewg.org/2010sunscreen/best-beach-sport-sunscre...

1 mom found this helpful
Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

J.L.

answers from Los Angeles on

I would try looking in the cosmetics for a face moisturizer w/ spf. Clinique makes a great one that I use but it is $42 so it is pricey. It will be lighter feeling and perfect for the time he is spending in the sun.

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

A.A.

answers from San Diego on

Arbonne baby is the BEST!

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

M.H.

answers from Atlanta on

Sun Shades is safe for youngsters and goes on well. It's not necessarily quick like the spray kind but it will work all day long even if he swims or gets overheated and sweats. I don't like the sprays because kids don't know to hold their breath and they get it in their lungs. The Sun Shades is a microfine zinc oxide that rubs on clear and is actually healthy for the skin too.

If you need more info on it let me know.

M.

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

H.V.

answers from Los Angeles on

i use aveeno baby, spf 55.

for daycare, i send rashguard shirts. they daycare doesn't apply the sunscreen for us, so that's my safety net. the shirts themselves have spf of 50.

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

J.D.

answers from Los Angeles on

Sensaria Natural Bodycare has an amazing sunscreen that is not even greasy, doesn't smell, and works but the sad part is it is for the face and not the whole body. Kids on the spectrum (autism) will actually let mom apply it! www.sensaria.com/J.

Now, there are some things you need to know about sunscreens and that they can be down right toxic and dangerous. Make sure that yours does not contain oxybenzone or vitamin A and none are sprayed or powdered.

Badger is considered one of the safest and I know lots of families with really picky kids use it. I haven't yet so I can't say if it is greasy or not.

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

K.R.

answers from San Diego on

*Arbonne is WONDERFUL, but expensive--it does lasts a long time and smells really good.
*Aveeno Baby is GREAT too--it is not greasy and I don't notice any smell.
*Neutrogena Ultra dry-touch--Costco sells it by the 2 pack.
I use any of these three and on my own face too.
I have oily/combo skin and I'm fair skinned w/red hair--I wouldn't use them if they were the least bit greasy and believe me, they WORK!

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

T.H.

answers from Kansas City on

I really like the spray on kind. I don't think they're greasy and they're super fast to apply! I had been buying the generic Target brand, but I will say that it does have a bit of chemical odor and my 2 year old complained about it so for her I switched back to the name brand baby stuff, and it does smell a lot better!! When I put it on their faces I spray it in my hand first and wipe it on them. I've been using it for 3 full summers now and I think it rocks!!!

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

S.M.

answers from Santa Barbara on

Neutrogena. You can even get it at Costco.

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

T.A.

answers from Toledo on

Target brand spray! A previous poster stated a chemical smell....I didn't have this problem. I had a pool party at my house last month and everybody loved the sunscreen and said they were going to go out and buy it. We went on vacation last week with two different couples and they did, in fact buy it!

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

E.R.

answers from Los Angeles on

I use Aveeno Baby. It works really well and is not greasy.

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

S.H.

answers from Honolulu on

Neutrogena... makes a non greasy sunblock.

Its called " Neutrogena Ultra Sheer Dry-Touch Sunblock, SPF 55
3 fl oz (88 ml)"

Or just do a Google Search on "non-greasy sunblock"

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

W.S.

answers from Los Angeles on

I like the Neutrogena Pure and Free Baby, both the stick and lotion. Also, my son likes the Coppertone Kids Continuous Spray on his body, but he says it stings his face. Although, neither are very PC. You can probably find the California Baby Brand at Longs.

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

J.M.

answers from Los Angeles on

I think the stick kind is the best for this daily use plus the kids like to help put it on. Banana boat has one that is a babies 50 I think that works pretty well.

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

K.B.

answers from Los Angeles on

California is great. They have a stick that's easy to use on the face and isn't greasy, neither is the cream. It looks a little white because it does not contain the carcinogenic chemicals that we should not be exposed to. Environmental Working Group, ewg.org has a good list of safe sunscreens.

A.S.

answers from Santa Barbara on

Soleo organic sunscreen is safe, doesnt leave you white and is non greasy.

http://www.summerforkids.com/SOLEO_ORGANICS_SUNSCREEN_SAF...

this week you can read on mu blog about this sunscreen. I am a pharamcist and I have done the reasearch and have been using it myself for years now...its trully the best

just a small info im prepareing for my blog for this week:

Soleo has a wonderful mission of providing high quality, world class skin care using all-natural, and ORGANIC ingredients, in order to offer health conscious consumers an effective alternative to chemical-based products. Along with using innovatively formulated ORGANIC and naturally sourced ingredients, SOLEO makes sure to only use patented micronized zinc technology.

Micronized and Nano
There is a concern that nano zinc dioxide particles have higher photo-reactivity than coarser particles and may generate free radicals that can cause cell damage. Some manufacturers have addressed this issue by coating the particles to prevent free radical formation. We are comfortable recommending sunscreens with Micronized zinc . We feel as NANO particles should be avoided!
Micronized zinc offers improved sun protection compared to larger particles. Micronized zinc particles do not penetrate healthy skin to a large degree. Zinc used in Soleo is a blocker NOT absorber!

For Updates and Special Promotions
Follow Us

Related Questions