11 best sunscreen for babies and toddlers, chosen by mums

The Childs Farm Kids and Baby Sun Cream Roll-On SPF 50+ was awarded Gold for Best Sun Protection Cream at the Mother&Baby Awards 2023 and 2024.

Childs Farm Kids and Baby Sun Cream Roll-On SPF 50+ is our best overall; both award-winning and fragrance-free, it protects young and sensitive skin from UVA and UVB rays and keeps skin moisturised and hydrated. Naturally derived with ethically sourced ingredients, this water-resistant sun protection for babies and toddlers is suitable for all skin types, including dry, sensitive and even eczema-prone skin! It's a handy size to take with you too. We're big fans of this one.

Mother and Baby Digital Writer and mum Rebecca tried this product and said, "This is really easy to apply as you just roll it on so it's ideal for when kids are desperate to get to the beach or out to the park! I used it on them when we were running late for school and it was incredibly quick to apply. It is very thin so doesn't feel as protective but they didn't get burnt in the sun so I guess it worked! It is a small 50ml bottle so it'll be interesting to see how long it lasts but it would be ideal for taking on a plane if you only had hand luggage."

The defining feature is the roll-on applicator, perfect for independent tots to get involved and ideal for older kids to take to school and stay protected throughout the day. One of our mum testers confirms the rollerball works smoothly and is very easy to apply with less mess than the usual sprays or lotions. Keep in mind that it may be tricky to apply to the face with the roll-on feature. Some noticed the formula is a little sticky at first but said the cream absorbs quickly. Watch out for staining on clothes, as one tester did discover some yellow staining after rolling it on her son's clothes accidentally. Overall, reports of the product as a reliable sunscreen to protect your child's skin are positive though, and parents seem to prefer the convenience of a roller application over a spray or lotion for babies and toddlers on the move.

Read our full Childs Farm 50+SPF Roll-On Sun Lotion Fragrance Free review.

Kids playing in the garden or enjoying the beach on holiday need the best protection from the sun. Childs Farm products are all designed to take extra care of delicate skin, and this Childs Farm SPF 50+ Sun Cream gives great protection from the sun's powerful rays from six months of age. Mother and Baby Digital Writer and mum Rebecca tested this product and said, "This is a lightweight suncream and rubs in really well. I'm not overly keen on the scent but that's a minor concern as long as it stops the kids getting sunburnt which it does well. It's a bit greasier than the Green People sun cream I tested but does have a higher 50+ UVA and UVB protection and rubs in more easily so the kids can get out in the sun more quickly! It's a nice big bottle so should last a good amount of time."

If your child has sensitive skin you'll be pleased to know that both of our mum tester Jenny's children have sensitive skin and these creams suited both of them really well with no bad reactions at all. Also recommended for eczema-prone skin, a reviewer confirms that they've used this product on their 6-year old with severe eczema and not experienced any scratching. They say usually he can't wear sunscreen without flaring up and that it can take ages to get it back under control, meaning he has to stay indoors. They even found this product to be better than some pharmacy creams.

Read our full Childs Farm Sun Range review

If you have a little one who hates having sunscreen applied you'll appreciate UltraSun's Extreme SPF50+ Sun Cream that only requires one application in the morning. Reapplication is recommended for complete protection, however, one reviewer says they only applied this once to their 9-month-old baby about an hour before going out in the sun, and it lasted all day, even with a couple of short dips in the pool.

It's got a thick consistency and an easy-to-use pump dispenser. It can take a while to rub into the skin, but we think it's worth it for the long protection. Plus, it claims to be fast-absorbing, non-greasy and designed to help prevent prickly heat – sounds like a winner to us.

One thing to be mindful of is that the product isn't designed specifically for baby skin, and although the product is designed for ultra-sensitive skin, there have been mixed reviews on this. One reviewer says it didn't work for them, they found it to be expensive and their daughter's skin still came out in a rash. Another reviewer who purchased the product described it as the best sunscreen and amazing for sensitive skin, saying their own skin normally erupts in a rash when exposed to sun, but not with this. We recommend doing a patch test on your kids to be on the safe side.

If you're looking for an ethically responsible, Reef-safe sun lotion that's easy to apply the Green People Organic Children Sun Lotion is definitely one to consider. Mother and Baby Digital Writer and mum Rebecca Lancaster has tried and tested this product and says, "I like that this sun cream is scent free and eczema-friendly so I can be confident that it's not going to irritate my daughter's sensitive skin - that's a huge selling point as I am very conscious about what I use on her." Rebecca thinks it will be good for the beach as once rubbed in, she says it felt quite smooth and unsticky, although she points out that it takes a while to rub in fully, so isn't ideal if you're in a rush. While it says it is scent free, Rebecca says there is a bit of a smell, but that it isn't unpleasant and is far less than some other brands.

Another reviewer said this product is the only one her grandson isn't allergic to! They said that while it might not be the cheapest sun product, it's organic, applies well and protects brilliantly. Despite it being scent-free, they also said it smells pleasant. Overall the feedback in reviews is very positive. Users like the fact that the product is made from natural ingredients and say it has worked well to protect their kids, with the gentle formula being great for avoiding flare-ups for those with sensitive skin. Do be careful when applying the lotion though, as the product may stain your child's clothes.

Ideal for young and delicate skin, this SunSense Kids SPF50+ fragrance-free sunscreen is non-greasy, easy to apply, and easily absorbed. Suitable from six months, it's SPF50+ for high protection against UVA and UVB and contains moisturising B3 for extra care. We also love that it's water-resistant for up to 80 minutes, great for water babies.

If you're looking for an easy-to-use product that absorbs well, you'll be pleased to know that mums seem to love the consistency of this sun cream – it's thicker than other brands and has a smoother application. Our mum tester Rachael shares that other brands she's tried have had a thinner consistency and tend to make a big mess, whereas this one doesn't, saving a lot of time and cleaning up having a wriggly baby. Mum tester Paige says it spreads well across the skin, covering a large area, and doesn't leave her child sticky afterwards. And mum tester Nicola said it's a handy size to keep in the changing bag. Mum tester Jessica likes that the bottle is small enough for her daughter to carry around with her and says she knows it must go on before we go outside.

Overall, our mum testers don't really have much to criticise about this product. Some wish it was slightly cheaper, but as our mum tester Gail points out, although it is one of the most expensive sun creams on the market, it is clearly very good and thought highly of as many NHS trusts actually prescribe it for children who need sun screen on prescription. She says this alone made her quite proud to be seen using it! Other mums have said they'd prefer a spray bottle for easier application, and our mum tester Rachael warns to make sure the lid is closed correctly, otherwise it could leak out into your bag, which Paige agrees with. However, all of our testers would be happy to recommend this product to friends and family.

Read our full SunSense Kids SPF50+ review

Recommended by dermatologists for those with sun eczema and sun allergies, Evy Sun Mousse SPF50 KIDS is a wonderfully light sun-protection mousse that’s easy to apply and non-sticky. Unlike ordinary sun creams, the mousse formula spreads throughout the top layer of skin and avoids clogging up on the skin surface. This makes the product less likely to be wiped off during bathing and towel drying, so that it can provide your little ones with reliable long-lasting protection against UVA and UVB rays while they play in the sun.

If your tot has medium to dark skin you'll be pleased to know that one reviewer recommends this product for leaving their med-dark skin tone looking exactly the same, as opposed to grey like other sun creams. They say that a little goes a long way though, so be careful not to press too hard on the nozzle! It's quite sticky and feels a little heavy, they say, but as soon as you apply cream on top, your skin no longer feels tacky. This might be something to consider when using the product on impatient kids, as it will add an extra step to the process. Another reviewer, on the other hand, states that the product isn’t sticky, and that you're using too much if it leaves a white coating. They also point out that it doesn't sting near the sensitive eye area either, which makes this great for kiddies.

For anyone with fussy kids that hate having sun cream applied (isn't this all kids?) a once-a-day sunscreen like this one is a good choice. Riemann P20 Suncare For Kids 50+ has a four-star UVA protection and factor 50 SPF and protects your child for up to 10 hours. This makes it a good option for school-aged children too, as they won't have to remember to reapply it themselves throughout the day. Bear in mind on swim-days it will only last three hours in water though.

It is a gentle cream that's fragrance-free, and is specially developed for children's sun-sensitive skin, but has more of an oily texture than most of the creams on this list. Our mum tester Salina describes it as a really lovely cream that makes application quick and easy with its handy pump. She assures us that there are no horrid smells, and that she didn't find it to be tacky or sticky like some sun creams. Mum tester Alexia also says the cream soaks and rubs into the child’s skin easily, and mum Natasha agrees that the texture and smell is nicer than the average sun cream. She also appreciates the lack of white marks when applying and the fact that it spreads easily.

All of our mum testers agree the product is a bit on the expensive side, which they found to be off-putting initially. However, Salina says though it’s quite pricey when compared with a lot of creams, it does seem to last due to the good coverage and only needing one application. One thing to watch out for is that the cream can stain, leaving yellowish marks on your kids' clothes, so avoid dressing your little one in white clothing after applying.

Read our full P20 SPF50+ Suncare for Kids review

Trusted by many, this Nivea sun protection for kids comes in a handy travel size with easy roll-on application. The formula claims to be extra water resistant, absorbing quickly and providing long-lasting moisture while supporting the skin's protective barrier to reduce the risk of sun allergies.
Tim Ferid, our dad tester and SEO Executive at Mother and Baby enjoyed the "nice fresh scent" and the application of the product on his little one, describing it as: "Super easy to use, literally just roll product on and rub in. Works well when trying to apply to a wriggly baby." He says it was smooth and moisturising on the skin and that it absorbed well once rubbed in, however, he did experience slight tackiness on the skin.

Tim says it's not the cheapest on the market as you only get a small amount, however, for a baby you do not need much. Tim points out that it may not be the best value for money if you have a bigger child, especially if needing to reapply regularly, like if your child is playing in water. The product is advertised to be extra water resistant, but Tim says you can never be too careful with little ones! Tim notes that the product isn't meant to be used for children under 3 and there is advice about
avoiding suncream under the age of 6 months due to skin allergies. It was Tim's first time having a young 4.5-month-old baby in the summer months and said "keeping him protected from the sun is a priority and required when wanting to be out and about." Tim also liked how small and compact the bottle is – easy to pop in change bag!

Read our full NIVEA SUN Kids Protect & Care Roll-On 50+ review

If you and your little one struggle when the time comes to apply the sun cream, you'll be happy to know that this one, the Soltan Once 8hr Kids Play Spray SPF50+, is a quick-drying sun care product that will keep the mess at bay. It also has a great ergonomic-shaped bottle for easy handling when applying to wriggly babies and toddlers, and can help older kids to hold the bottle without it slipping when they're applying product themselves.

It's water-resistant, offers up to 8 hours of sun protection from just one application and is specially formulated for your child's delicate skin. One reviewer says they've been using the sun cream for three years and won't use any others now. They describe their kids as very fair and say the product lasts all day at school for them. Another parent says their very pale son didn’t burn at all either, but warns that the spray was hard to pump single-handed. However, it applied nicely, rubbing in well, and didn’t feel greasy. As with many sun creams be careful when applying as this formula can stain white clothing. One reviewer advises you to buy it early because it sells out fast and is very hard to get when summer starts.

We love this little Aveeno Sun Natural Protection Baby SPF 50 Face Stick, and think the travel-size ideal to pop in your nappy bag so you always have protection at hand to top-up your baby's delicate little face when you're on-the-go and the sun is out. With naturally sourced ingredients like Oat and zinc oxide, it's nice and soothing, specially formulated for your baby's sensitive skin.

It's definitely not an all-day product though, so you'll have to remember to reapply after 80 minutes of swimming or sweating, immediately after towel drying, and at least every two hours – but the point of the product is to have something easy to use at hand when you need it.

Parents seem to love it for this – One mum says she loved using it on her baby on holiday, and that it wasn't sticky and soaked into the skin almost instantly. She also says it was easy to use and compact, so perfect for travelling. Another mum says it was so easy to apply to her son's face, and also great for under her own eyes as it doesn’t sting! One reviewer noticed it did leave a slight white mask, and said it wasn't as easy to apply as you’d think. But she appreciated the travel size anyway and said it was great for storing in a small purse. Another reviewer wanted to make it clear that the stick is about the size of an adult lip salve, in case you're expecting something bigger.

Okay, so we know this isn't technically a sunscreen. However, it has made our list because it makes applying sunscreen so much easier, plus, it's super fun for kids! You may recognise it as the award-winning, child-friendly sunscreen applicator as featured on Dragons Den. The empty sun cream applicator can be filled with your favourite sun cream. Our Mother and Baby Product Writer Hannah James has tried the sunscreen applicator herself and highly recommends it, saying her five-year-old loves using it independently and that due to the design, there is no waste. "If your child doesn't like having sun cream applied, this is a game-changer," she says, "It makes applying sun cream much easier."

We love that it's travel-sized, holding 100ml, making it perfect for holiday hand luggage or popping in a bag for summer day trips. It also has an anti-bacterial coating and space so that the applicator can be clearly labelled with your child's name too, which makes it a brilliant product for sending with them to nursery or school. One reviewer says it spreads the right amount on your skin so you don't end up with a super thick layer. Another reviewer says the best part for everyone is your hands are still clean after using it, which is perfect for kids using it independently. Users say just give it a little shake before use then the cream can be applied really quickly. There's no need to replace the full unit either, just replace the sponge applicator heads and recycle the old one! And if you do need to dispose of the whole thing – all parts are recyclable.