Whch sunscreen do you use for your babies. My son is 8 months old and I heard that putting sunscreen on babies younger than 6 months is not good due to the chemicals. So that makes me wonder why is it okay after 6 months? I know it has somehting to do with the immune system but the chemicals are still there isn't that still enough to worry about? So what sunscreen do you use on your kids and why did you pick that one? With summer coming up and more outdoor activities I am starting to look into the one that will work the best without a lot of chemicals. I also keep him covered up pretty well when we are in the sun so he does not have a tan or anything, and I use an umbrella all the time while walking with him.
I use a sunscreen by the brand California Baby that I get at target. It is very safe to use and the only kind of sunscreen I will use on my family. Google it to read the benefits.
I use California Baby because it has little, to no, chemicals. I use it all over my daughter and on my face. I used it all last summer and it is great! I buy it at Target, but you can also go to California Baby's website.
My son is 6 months old and we do spend lots of time outside. I use the California Babies sunscreen and we love it. It is a little hard to rub in, but I like that because I know that he's getting well saturated with it. I am super aware of sun exposure because my husband's dad passed away from melanoma and well we live in Florida. If we are going to be outside for a long period of time I even will put him in something that is lightweight but is long sleeved and pants.
Love, love, love California Babies! We use both the sunscreen and bug spray. I get it at Target.
i like Coppertone Water Babies Pure & Simple. It's a zinc oxide based sunscreen which is better for sensitive skin. Oil, fragrance, and dye free
Check out cosmeticsdatabase.org before u buy anything! You will be surprised that brands that claim they are "better for you" from Aveno and Neutrogena are FILLED with toxic chemicals! Good luck! =)
Hi A.,
We use Sun Shades. It's a unique form of zinc oxide dispersion that rubs on clear. We're anti-synthetic chemical as well!
M.
The way it was described to me is that skin is more porous the younger you are, meaning that the chemicals in sunscreen can go directly into the blood stream under 6 months, but after 6 months the skin is thick enough for it not to do that.
I've used Kiss My Face on my kids, it rubs in easily and prevents burns.
I have always used chemical free sunscreen on all of us. It takes more time rubbing it in, but I beleive worth it (with all the toxins we get all around us, I pick and choose which ones I can control). We use "Sun" brand. You can find it at Wholefoods (one time I found it in Ralphs, but I think that was rare). There are other brands, just look around. Read all the Sun bottles to find the one that says "free of Chemical sunscreens", because I do not think all of their products are chemical free. Actually, I do not even think their kids sunscreen says this, so I stick with the one that does say it.
I use Aveeno for babies and I like it. I think they just say after 6 months to make sure it doesn't cause irritation to the skin, but I would rather chance a rash than have third degree burns =)
It's best to try to avoid being in direct sun from 12pm -3pm. I use a combination of shade, a hat (always), and timing to avoid sunscreen. If I have to use sunscreen then I use Alba Botanica Kids:
My pediatrician recommended Aveeno products for my daughter so we started her off with Aveeno Baby SPF 55. It's very easy to use because it rubs in so easily. She's never had a burn, despite living in SoCal and numerous trips to Hawaii. When I have more time to "work in" the sunscreen, I'll switch it up with Dr. Robin's for Kids. It's an all natural, chemical free sunscreen . . . water resistant and paraben, fragrance, and phthalate free. It starts off fairly white and thick, but rubs in after a bit. I do notice a slightly sticky residue on her skin afterwards. It doesn't bother her a bit. I'm guessing it's just sitting on her skin for protection. Earth's Best was impossible to rub in.
I really tried not to use any the first year, and my son (now 2.5 years old) is pretty much always wearing a hat, and has since he was maybe 6 months old. We did use a mineral based sunblock, when he was younger, and then Water Babies (which actually isn't too bad on the cosmetics list). Now I have Badger, and it really isn't that difficult to rub in. It would be hard to do on an 8 month olds face, but that is why the hat is so great. My son lets me put it on him, and I use it myself, and it doesn't take too much extra effort. Check the cosmetics database for products, that is how I chose Badger, http://www.ewg.org/skindeep.
I wear sunblock almost every day (for runs or any direct sun over 45 minutes), shower it off when I'm back inside, and I try to switch up what kind I use. At least it isn't the exact same chemicals every day, since they all have something.
I use Badger un scented and also the face STICK from Clifornia baby. Both are safe and non toxic. You should check out the environmental working groups web site for safety cosmeticdatabase.org it rates the products safety and chemicals etc. It's a great resource!
Coppertone Water Babies was always a good one with the highest SPF they have. I think they have it up to SPF 70. Be sure to only put it on the arms, legs, and midsection &back. Don't put it on the face or hands or feet.
I used Neutrogena 100% spf when my son was about 6 months old. worked great - it was recommended to me.
I am a sunscreen fanatic (and get teased about it all the time) for myself and my family. Since many sunscreens are quite expensive, I would get a good affordable "baby" sunscreen that includes mineral sunblockers (such as zinc oxide or titanium dioxide) as well as certain "chemical" based sunblockers. You will likely have to try several different brands because certain types may bother your child's skin, eyes, etc. (e.g., regardless how they are marketed as "baby" or "kids" sunscreens, many of them may still sting their eyes). Also, as much as I would love to rely just on non-chemical/mineral sunblock, my concern is that, with kids, if they just rub their skin on something or use a towel or bump into something, the sunscreen on that part of their skin may have just been rubbed off and you will need to apply on those spots. Similarly, if you wipe/clean your child's face, hands, whatever part of his/her body, then you've just rubbed off your mineral sunscreen and will need to reapply. Since kids are constantly on their knees, elbows, etc., you would have to follow your child around to continuously reapply mineral-only sunblock on those exposed areas of skin. Thus, I tend to use and recommend combo mineral/chemical sunscreens. That way, they get the longer-lasting chemical protection as well as the instant mineral protection. Best wishes.
I too am a fan of California Babies!! They have great products that are free of all the chemicals that are in most commercial products. Their diaper cream works great too. Like the other people said, most Targets carry it.
I use water babies. Love the face stick and spray on for body.
After reading about the "dangers" of chemical-based sunscreens over the internet, I was terrified. So I ditched my Neutrogena and tried both California Babies and Badger. They are both Impossible to rub in!! They actually sit on top the skin and never blend or soak in. This makes them completley impractical -- the sunscreen got EVERYWHERE -- the car seats, the kitchen chairs, the walls, the swingset swings, the sheets, anywhere they bumped up against!!! And my kids walked around with a weird whitish/bluish/purplish tint on their faces.
I have no idea what I am going to do this summer...I may go back to Neutrogena. I hope you get some great advice, as I can use it too!
I love Mustella brand!
I use the clinique lip/eye stick for the face and the clinique sunblock cream when they were little. Now we use water babies spray and stick.