Trying to figure out which sunscreen is safe for you and even worse, your baby, is enough to make you go crazy. Even with all the literature and research, there doesn’t seem to be a clear consensus on safe sun protection. I won’t talk about the pros and cons here but you can easily google the topic and find out more than you care to know. Instead, I’ll discuss what we do in our family based on what we’ve learned from all the nerve wracking information out there.

First off, a little bit of sun exposure each day is okay, even beneficial. Second, wear as much lightweight protective clothing as possible. At the very least, wear a hat or stay in the shade. I find that it’s easier to get babies to wear a hat if they see their parents do the same. Finally, only if it looks like we’ll be outside for a long time will we slather on sunscreen.

Sunscreens fall into two categories: chemical blockers and physical blockers. The physical blockers are considered safer and more effective. Both zinc oxide and titanium dioxide are physical blockers that are commonly found among the safest commercial sunscreens. If you do buy, check out the Cosmetics Database first. I have not checked their research sources thoroughly, but I do find their information very useful. I don’t have any experience with titanium dioxide but since I already have zinc oxide on hand for my diaper rash ointments, that’s what I use for sunscreens as well.

The easiest way to make sunscreen is simply to add zinc oxide to your lotion. If you’re making your own lotion such as my simple 3 ingredient moisturizer, add and blend the zinc oxide towards the end, after combining the water and oil phase and before the lotion has completely cooled. You can also take an existing lotion like California Baby Everyday Lotion, melt it in a water bath (see lotion-making instructions), then add and blend in the zinc oxide. Use approximately 10% of the lotion weight for the amount of zinc oxide. For example, for a 5 oz lotion, add 0.5 oz zinc oxide. This yields a 9% zinc oxide sunscreen (0.5/5.5 = 0.09).

The amount of active ingredients in commercial sunscreens vary widely. All sunscreens list the active ingredients by weight, usually percentages, so you can easily find out how much they use. The strength of the active ingredients as it relates to SPF, how often you should apply sunscreen, and the range of UV protection it gives is confusing to me, so I’ll just point you to some articles for you to come to your own conclusion.  In general, apply sunscreen 15-30 minutes before going out in the sun and reapply at least every hour.

Article comparing various active ingredients’ range of protection and FDA approved concentration. Note that zinc oxide provides protection against a very broad UV spectrum and is approved up to 25%.

Here is just one of countless Federal Register publications on sunscreen (Federal Register / Vol. 64, No. 98 / Friday, May 21, 1999 / Rules and Regulations) .  Note § 352.10 Sunscreen active ingredients concentration on page 22 which is the same as the data given in the article above.

Cosmetics Database.

Skin Cancer Foundation.