Summer is here and with all the beach visits, baseball games, and backyard play dates, you’re going to want to protect you and your little ones from the sun with the best kind of sunscreens. So with a little help, we found what the safest sunscreens for kids to use this Summer!

Sunscreen can be a confusing subject. For what seems like something so simple, there are actually a lot of factors to consider when picking the best one for your family. To keep your skin safe, we gathered some facts from the experts at Environmental Working Group.

One important thing to consider about sun safety is genetics. Some people are just born to get a tan, but if you’re someone pale, then you know the struggle of caking on the sun lotion and reapplying it every hour that you’re out having fun in the sun.

We all know that as adults we inevitably occasionally slack on taking care of our skin in the sun, but if you have a little one, you really need to step up your game and find all the best ways to protect your sweet baby from the dangerous rays of the sun.

With a little help from Environmental Working Group, here is their guide to the best and worse Sunscreens you should use for you and your family this Summer!

Safest Sunscreens for Kids

According to EWG’s 2017 Guide to Sunscreens, here are the top 8 safest sunscreens for kids:

• Aveeno Baby Continuous Protection Sensitive Skin Lotion Sunscreen, SPF 50
• Babyganics Mineral-Based Sunscreen Lotion, SPF 50+
• Bare Republic Clear Screen Sunscreen Gel, Sport, SPF 30
• Bare Republic Mineral Sunscreen Lotion, Baby, SPF 50
• Blue Lizard Australian Sunscreen, Baby, SPF 30+
• CeraVe Baby Sunscreen Lotion, SPF 45
• Goddess Garden Organics Facial Natural Sunscreen Lotion, SPF 30
• Neutrogena Pure & Free Baby Sunscreen, SPF 50

These rank as the best because the study based it on the overall protection from the sun’s UV rays, the safety of the ingredients in the products, and price.

Toxic Sunscreens for Kids

• Banana Boat Kids Continuous Spray Sunscreen, SPF 100
• Banana Boat Kids Sunscreen Lotion, SPF 100
• Coppertone Foaming Lotion Sunscreen Kids Wacky Foam, SPF 70
  • Continuous Spray Kids, SPF 70
  • Lotion Kids, SPF 70
  • Lotion Water Babies, SPF 70+
  • Stick Kids, SPF 55
  • Stick Water Babies, SPF 55
  • Water Babies Foaming Lotion, SPF 70
• CVS Health Children’s Sunstick Sunscreen, SPF 55
• Equate Baby Sunscreen Lotion, SPF 70
• Neutrogena Pure & Free Baby Sunscreen, SPF 60+
• Neutrogena Wet Skin Kids Sunscreen Spray, SPF 70+
• Up & Up Kids Sunscreen Sticks, SPF 55

Some of the most dangerous chemicals to look for and avoid in sunscreens are:

Retinyl Palmitate– because although it is a type of Vitamin A, it makes your skin more vulnerable when exposed to the sun.

Oxybenzone – because it can disrupts hormone levels in adolescents.

EWG also recommends to avoid ‘sun sprays,’ as they never guaranteed full coverage and can be dangerous to inhale. Along with any spectrum over 50, because this could encourage one to reapply less.

Some Sun Safety Tips For Your Kiddos

Lets face it, sometimes you may need to take extra precautions for your little one when it comes to the sun. It’s understandable, small children and infants don’t develop their melatonin right away so they need the extra protection from the sun’s harmful rays.

Pack an Extra T-shirt 

• T-shirts at the beach can protect the burns on the chest and shoulders. So bring an extra shirt to the beach. Some kids clothing even make a top and bottom swimsuit set, so that your munchkin can swim in the shirt and not feel uncomfortable.

Shade is your best friend

• Sitting in the shade is a simple way avoid burns. Invest in a large umbrella or a tent to bring to the beach! And if someone is going to take a nap, make sure its in the shade.

No Insect Repellent/Sunscreen Combo

• If you need bug spray, buy it separately and apply it first. Do not fall for a 2 in 1 pack.

Plan your family fun around the Sun

• Either early in the morning before 9 am or after 3 pm is where the Sun will be less harmful to sensitive skin. Between noon and 2 pm is where the sun will be at its highest, and you’re more likely to burn.

Reapply Every Hour

• Whether your little one is swimming in the pool or ocean all day, or they are sweating from playing around , reapplying every hour is the safe way to go.

What are some of your favorite safest sunscreens for kids?