Kids’ Sunscreen: Which Brands Can You Trust?

Mothering understands what it's like to be a mom. This network of moms has helped by compiling a list of the best and worst sunscreen choices for kids based on the most recent data from the Environmental Working Group.

It might surprise you to learn that many of the sunscreens to receive the “worst” ratings are made by well known companies we often trust with our own skin care. So why shouldn't we trust them with our kids?

A whopping 80 percent of U.S. sun protection products analyzed by EWG this year contain harmful ingredients or offer inadequate protection against dangerous ultraviolet radiation — or both.

What can you do to make sure you're not wasting your money on sunscreen that won't protect your kids … or worse… will permeate their sensitive skin with harmful ingredients?  Avoid these top contenders on the worst list:

1. Banana Boat Clear Spray Sunscreen

2. Coppertone Kids Sunscreen Lotion & Stick

3. Coppertone Water Babies Sunscreen Lotion & Stick

4. Neutrogena Wet Skin Kids

5. Up & Up Kids Sunscreen Stick

I know what you're thinking. Coppertone? Banana Boat? They've been around forever! We have learned to trust their longevity, so it's hard to imagine them being on this list. The EWG specifically frowns upon Neutrogena for making the list. Here's what they have to say in Mothering's article:

“It is really quite astonishing how Neutrogena attempts to deceive shoppers with ad hype in order to sell potentially harmful products,” said Sonya Lunder, EWG senior analyst. “We’ve turned a spotlight on bad actors like Neutrogena, but so much more needs to be done to stop companies from getting away with hyping their products at the expense of consumer health.”

EWG found that Neutrogena’s allegedly hypoallergenic “pure & free baby” sunscreen lotion actually contains a potent skin allergen.

Okay, so with all that in mind, what are we supposed to use to protect our kids from harmful UV rays that can cause skin cancer as well as uncomfortable sunburns? Lucky for us, Mothering has also included a list of the best.

I was relieved to find my own brand on the list. Thankfully, I won't have to chuck it in the trash and go searching for a new brand.

Here's the best according to Mothering & The EWG:

1. Adorable Baby Clear Baby Sunscreen Stick and Lotion
2. All Terrain KidSport Face Stick
3. Seventh Generation Baby Sunscreen
4. Babyganics Pure Mineral Sunscreen Stick
5. California Baby Super Sensitive Sunscreen Lotion and Year-Round Stick

To see more of the sunscreens on the worst list and more options from the best list check out the complete list of kids' sunscreens to avoid this summer at the Mothering site. Then, be sure to check your brand on the Environmental Working Group's free app “Skin Deep” to see how it stacks up against the rest.