Nannies spend their days caring for babies and children. They have the opportunity to try various baby products that different families, with distinctive needs, use. Getting to try out different baby and children’s products helps career nannies form their expert opinions on the products that work best when caring for little ones.
Be the Best Nanny asked 315 American career nannies about their favorite sunscreens for babies, children, and themselves. The results are listed below and on the How to Be the Best Nanny Amazon storefront.
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Many nannies just use the same sunscreens as the children in their care because it is perfectly safe for adults to use the same sunscreens they apply to the kiddos.
There are two types of sunscreens: chemical sunscreens and mineral sunscreens.
“Look for a mineral sunscreen that is paraben-free, fragrance-free, and hypoallergenic.”
Chemical sunscreens are designed to absorb UV rays, while mineral sunscreens reflect UV rays. Chemical sunscreens take at least 20 minutes to become effective while mineral sunscreens provide sun protection immediately.
Mineral sunscreens have a base made out of zinc and titanium, which are gentler on children’s skin.
When choosing a sunscreen for babies and children dermatologists and pediatricians typically recommend looking for a mineral sunscreen that is paraben-free, fragrance-free, and hypoallergenic. Although, some parents, nannies, and children do like scented sun protection products, in general it’s best to avoid fragrance in products used on babies and toddlers.
Generally parents and nannies try to steer clear of chemical sunscreens with carbon-based compounds such as oxybenzone, octinoxate, and avobenzone that can be irritating for children with sensitive skin or eczema.
For little ones with sensitive skin it is recommended to do a small spot test by applying a small amount of sunscreen on the inside wrist of the child for 24 hours to see if the child has a reaction to the product.
When using sunscreen lotions nannies recommend using make up sponges to apply sunscreen lotions to children’s faces. It helps spread the lotion evenly while keeping the caregiver’s and child’s hands clean.
Sunscreen sticks are great to throw into a diaper bag, swim bag, or purse and make for easy application on faces of active toddlers, children, and adult caregivers.
Sprays are easiest to apply on the body but generally pediatricians don’t recommend using spray sunscreen on babies. Sprays can irritate children’s skin. Also, the effects of inhaling the spray are still unknown. When using a spray sunscreen be sure to rub it into the skin after spraying.
You can purchase the recommended sunscreens by tapping the links below or by visiting the How to Be the Best Nanny Amazon storefront by clicking here.
The results of the 315 American nannies’ favorite sunscreens are listed below:
1. ThinkBaby, ThinkKids, and ThinkSport:
ThinkBaby sunscreen was the most recommended sun protection product by the nannies who took our bethebestnanny.com survey. ThinkBaby is free of the kid-irritating chemicals. It is mineral based, natural, non-toxic, water resistant, high SPF, unscented, and effective. The ingredients are safe and good for the environment, it is easy to apply and generally has a 3 year expiration sate so it is good value. ThinkKids is the exact same formulation.
The ThinkSport Everyday sunscreen is also made by the same company as ThinkBaby and ThinkKids. They are all very economical sunscreens. Nannies like that ThinkSport is also water resistant (up to 80 minute) and has a higher zinc content than other sunscreens. Nannies that took this survey say that ThinkSport sunscreens are versatile sunscreen that works well for outdoors and sports activities as well as under makeup.
2. Blue Lizard:
The second most popular sunscreen brand from our bethebestnanny.com survey was Blue Lizard Sensitive Mineral Sunscreen with Zinc Oxide. Nannies say it is strong and stays on through swimming while also being gentle on sensitive skin. Many nannies that took the poll say this is the best mineral-based sunscreen they have found. This Australian brand is loved by pediatricians and dermatologists, because it provides broad spectrum UV protection. All their sunscreen formulations come in patented Smart Bottles™ or in tubes with Smart Caps™ that change color when exposed to UV light. Every tube cap or bottle turns from white or clear to blue, with the exception of our Baby bottle and tube cap, which turn pink. Kids love seeing the change of color as a reminder to reapply the mineral sunscreen! The stick makes for an easy on-the-go application. There is a Baby Blue Lizard, a Sensitive Skin formulation, and a lip balm nannies admit they love using.
3. Babyganics:
An economical and very popular choice, Babyganics sunscreen uses the minerals octisalate, zinc oxide, and titanium dioxide to block the sun’s rays. This sunscreen is highly rated by nannies for ease of application and feel-good ingredients. Plus, a high water-resistance rating of up to 80 minutes means nannies and parents don’t have to worry about reapplying the sunscreen quite as often as some other sun protection products. Many nannies and children like the light raspberry scent. We like that it comes in a stick, lotion, roller ball, and spray.
4. Sun Bum Baby Bum Mineral Lotion:
Nannies that took the bethebestnanny.com poll of favorite sunscreens like Sun Bum Baby Bum Mineral Lotion because it has a lightweight, non-greasy formula that is mineral-based and protects from UVA/UVB rays. It contains naturally moisturizing ingredients, such as coconut oil, Shea butter, and cocoa butter. It is fragrance-free and paraben-free. Nannies say they like this lotion because it goes on smoothly without any residual white goop. Many nannies that took our poll admit they like using Sun Bum Baby Bum Mineral Spray on themselves for easy application.
5. Supergoop!
Caregivers that took our survey say they love Supergoop 100% Mineral Sunscreen because it spreads easily on children’s faces and it is water resistant for up to 80 minutes. Supergoop! created the Sunnyscreen collection for babies, toddlers, and anyone with super sensitive skin. It is safe enough for use as young as 6 months. The nannies that took our poll say Supergoop! is the best choice for very fair children or those with dermatological issues such as severe eczema. Applying this thick lotion with make up applicators makes it easier to put on babies, toddlers, and children while keeping your hands clean. The Supergoop stick is also an easy and clean way to apply this high quality, and highly recommended sunscreen.
Babo Botanicals was founded by a mother who wanted plant-based products for her family. All of their sun care products consist of 100% mineral sunscreen, are fragrance-free, and hypoallergenic. They have 17 sunscreen products to fit anyone’s sunscreen needs. Free of chemical filters, silicones, mineral oil, parabens and phthalates, fragrance, synthetic colorants, soy and dairy, and high allergy nuts. In summary, nannies love Babo Botanical Sunscreens because they are natural, organic, gentle on sensitive skin, and reef safe. Don’t forget to throw the Babo Botanical Stick Sunscreen in your diaper bag for easy application on the go.
7. Neutrogena Pure & Free Baby Mineral Sunscreen:
Many nannies that took our survey love Neutrogena Pure & Free Baby Mineral Sunscreen Stick because it is portable, oil-free stick is small enough to stash in their purse or diaper bag for children and themselves. It is fragrance-free and hypoallergenic, making it a great option for people, (baby, children, and adults), with sensitive skin.
Nannies listed Nuetrogena Ultrasheer Spray and Nuetrogena Ultra Sheer Dry Touch as their favorite sunscreens to use on their own faces and bodies. The spray is easy to apply to their bodies while the lotion is lightweight, unscented, and not oily under makeup.
8. Evereden Premium Baby Sunscreen:
Evereden Premium Baby Sunscreen is a mineral sunscreen made with non-nano zinc, sunflower and jojoba oils, and cucumber extract for an easy-to-apply and fresh smelling sunscreen that kids like. This reef-friendly, mineral-based sunscreen lotion is quick absorbing. It’s also non-streaky with no white cast. The nannies that took our poll said they like light cucumber scent.
Although Everden Premium Baby Sunscreen is good for everyday use it is not for swimming. It is also not the right choice for those looking for a fragrance-free formulation.
9. Badger Kids and Badger Baby:
The nannies that took our poll love Badger Kids Sunscreen and Badger Baby Sunscreen because they use zinc oxide. The 22.5% zinc oxide provides excellent protection against UVA and UVB rays, while the calendula and chamomile have soothing, anti-inflammatory properties and make this formula an ideal choice for sensitive skin.
But Badger has many other sunscreen products nannies love. Badger’s SPF Clear Sport Sunscreen in a Tin is a zinc sunscreen that is great for the beach bag. This unscented cream is certified to not contain any ingredients that are harmful to coral. The tin it comes in is reusable and the sunscreen it contains is potent — so a little goes a long way. It rubs in clear and contains only 4 ingredients: zinc oxide, sunflower oil, beeswax, and Vitamin E. The container is small, so it is great for on-the-go application or traveling!
Badger also offers a fantastic lip balm with sunscreen that is great for people with sensitive skin. Nannies also love the Badger Kids Sunscreen Stick because it’s small and provides high quality, clear zinc protection.
10. Coppertone Pure & Simple Sunscreens:
Nannies like that Coppertone Pure & Simple Zinc Oxide Mineral Sunscreen is affordable and easy to find on pharmacy and grocery store shelves. Both the Blue Bottle and the Pink Bottle of Coppertone Pure & Simple SPF 50 sunscreen lotion provides 100% mineral sun protection based on a zinc oxide active ingredient, providing broad spectrum UVA and UVB protection that’s water resistant (80 minutes). They are tear free hypoallergenic sunscreens free of oxybenzone, octinoxate, PABA, parabens, dyes, and fragrance. These inexpensive, mineral sunscreens come in a stick and spray as well for easy application.
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