At What Age Can I Start Using the Best Baby Sunscreen?

TL;DR – Sunscreen should be avoided until your baby is at least six months old. Before then, you need to use shade, clothing, hats and umbrellas to protect their delicate skin.

Sun safety is one of those things parents start thinking about before they actually need to act on it. You know the sun can be harsh, you know your baby’s skin is delicate, so it’s only natural to start thinking about finding the best baby sunscreen. The thing is, there’s a right and a wrong time to start using it.

In this article, we help you understand when sunscreen becomes appropriate for your little one, and what you can be doing instead to keep them safe until you reach that point.

When Is the Best Baby Sunscreen Actually Safe to Use?

Most guidance lines up around the same recommendation: the best baby sunscreen is generally suitable for infants over the age of six months. Before that age, a baby’s skin is still forming its protective barrier.

What does that mean? Well, it’s thinner than adult skin, absorbs substances more easily, and reacts more quickly. Even mild products can overwhelm it, which is why sunscreen isn’t advised as a primary form of protection in those early months.

It’s not an old wives’ tale either, as it’s echoed by pediatricians and dermatologists across the US. Even the gentlest products on the market can be a problem, so it’s best to listen to the experts. The good news is that there are other ways to stay sun-safe prior to this point.

What to Do Instead Before They’re Six Months Old

For babies under six months, sun protection is more about planning than products. Young babies can’t regulate their body temperature well, and they don’t have the built-in defenses older children do. That means your approach should focus on limiting exposure rather than trying to block it chemically.

Practical, realistic ways to protect a baby under six months include:

• Keeping them out of direct sunlight whenever possible
• Making shade non-negotiable, whether that’s a stroller canopy, umbrella, or tree cover
• Dressing them in loose, breathable clothing that covers arms and legs
• Using wide-brimmed hats that shield the face, ears, and neck
• Timing walks and outings for early morning or later in the afternoon

None of this is complicated, but it is effective. These habits dramatically reduce UV exposure without putting anything on skin that isn’t ready for it yet.

Use the Best Baby Sunscreen, But Not Before It’s Time

So, there we have a definitive answer – don’t use sunscreen at all on your baby until they’re at least six months old. Their skin often can’t handle it and it will likely cause more problems than it solves. However, once they’re old enough, you should introduce a nice mild mineral sunscreen with a bit of water resistance in case they’re splashing in the kiddie pool.

Mineral baby sunscreens are designed to offer reliable UV defense in the gentlest way possible, as they sit on the skin, rather than having to be absorbed. They work right away, too, so once they’ve properly covered, they’re good to go.

Keep this in mind in those early months and all you’ll remember about being outside in the sun with your new baby is the fun you had and not the problems you had applying sunscreen.