According to the American Academy of Dermatology, “It only takes one blistering sunburn during childhood or adolescence to nearly double a person’s chance of developing melanoma.”

Yikes! I knew sunburns were bad, but that bad?

Luckily, there are things you can do to protect your babies from sunburn, even when they’re tiny. The most obvious is to keep them out of the sun – indoors, in the shade (think trees, umbrellas, covered prams), or in sun-smart clothing. You’ll also want to make sure they stay hydrated and cool, so they don’t overheat.

But what about using sunscreen?

Dermatologists recommend minimizing the use of sunscreen on babies under six months, but you don't need to avoid it entirely.

The main concern is that sunscreens can cause rashes and reactions in sensitive skin. The Australian College of Dermatologists explains, “Because very young babies (less than six months of age) absorb more of any chemical applied to the skin than adults, the widespread regular use of chemical sunscreens is not recommended.”

But that same sensitive skin is more vulnerable to sunburn, which increases your risk of skin cancer later in life. 

Here's the good news: “Sunscreens containing titanium dioxide or zinc oxide are less likely to irritate a baby’s sensitive skin.” [1] In mineral sunscreens like ours, the zinc oxide forms a protective layer on top of your baby's skin, rather than absorbing into their bloodstream. And our sunscreen is free of skin irritants like phenoxyethanol, which is unfortunately found in a number of mineral sunscreens.

So for those days you just need to be out and about with your older-but-not-yet-six-month-old babies, the answer is yes – you can use a clean mineral sunscreen, in moderation.

Of course, check with your GP or health care provider if you have any questions about products you're using on your baby. And please don't forget your first line of defense against the sun, covering up!

[1] https://www.aad.org/public/diseases/skin-cancer/prevent/sun-babies