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Which baby sunscreen brands are non toxic?
Can you believe summer will be here soon already next month? When summer is here, one thing you can not forget to have for your baby and yourself is a sunscreen! Can sunscreens be harmful? You bet they can. We’ve heard some horror stories of some babies got burned from sunscreens in the past. Sunscreens can be harmful because they are made of chemicals. I am cautious about things I put on my baby and my skin directly. In this post, I share with you how sunscreens can be toxic and what non toxic sunscreen brands are safe.
How Sunscreen Can Be Toxic
Bad Chemical Ingredients To Avoid – Oxybenzone
A sunscreen can protect the skin from the sun in two ways: with a mineral barrier or a chemical one. Mineral sunscreens use zinc oxide and/or titanium dioxide as their active ingredients. Chemical sunscreens use oxybenzone, avobenzone, octinoxate and octisalate. Oxybenzone is the most commonly used chemical in the sunscreen. According to EWG’s Skin Deep, oxybenzone is an endocrine disruptor. It absorbs through the skin in significant amounts. Chemical sunscreens are absorbed into the skin to protect the skin from UV rays. EWG’s Skin Deep lists this chemical’s toxic rating as ‘8’. (1 being the least toxic and 10 being the most toxic). Sunscreens usually contain ‘penetration enhancers’ to help product gets absorbed to the skin. As a result, sunscreens get into our bodies and can be found in breast milk, blood and urine samples. According to a research by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 97% of Americans are contaminated with oxybenzone in their bodies. Also, a study done by University of California, Berkeley, teen girls had a significantly lower level of oxybenzone found when they switched from cosmetics that contain oxybenzone to cosmetics that do not contain the chemical.
According to EWG’s Skin Deep, chemicals such as oxybenzone, avobenzone, octinoxate and octisalate all penetrate human skin, disrupt hormones and cause skin allergy. EWG tested 1400+ sunscreens and only 25% met their safety standards for its sun protection and absence of toxic ingredients.
Bad Chemical Ingredients To Avoid – Retinyl Palmitate (Vitamin A)
Retinyl palmitate (vitamin A) in sunscreen is another chemical that is very harmful. Its toxicity rating on EWG’s Skin Deep is 9. (10 being the most toxic and 1 being the least toxic) According to a study done by U.S.government scientists, retinyl palmitate (vitamin A) may contribute to the development of tumors and lesions on the skin when it is applied to the skin in the sunlight. It also speeds up the growth of tumors. In addition, FDA, Norwegian and German health agencies voiced concerns that daily application of vitamin A may lead to vitamin A toxicity.
So how is retinyl palmitate dangerous in the sunlight? When retinal palmitate is exposed to UV rays, free radical formation can occur. Free radicals are Oxygen in the body splits into single atoms with unpaired electrons. These atoms are going around the body to look for other electrons to become a pair because atoms and electrons want to be pairs. This process damages DNA, cells and proteins. Tobacco smoke, pesticides, alcohol, air pollutants or fried food generate free radicals. Free radicals can cause cancer, Alzheimer’s disease, atherosclerosis, Parkinson’s disease and many others. According to Rice University, once free radicals are formed, a chain reaction can occur. A free radical can take an electron, damage it and turn it into a free radical. Then that molecule will do the same to another molecule. These free radicals may mutate and grow tumors. Therefore, it is not safe to have rentinal palmitate as an ingredient in the sunscreens.
Dangers Of NanoParticles – Nanoparticles of Titanium Dioxide and Zinc Oxide
According to EWG’s Skin Deep, safe sunscreens are mineral-based products with a higher percent of zinc oxide and titanium dioxide. Chemical-based sunscreens contain toxic ingredients like oxybenzone and retinal palmitate. However, you also have to be careful about mineral-based sunscreens as well. While titanium dioxide or zinc oxide is safe, nanoparticles of titanium dioxide and zinc oxide are not.
Nanoparticles are less than 100 nanometers in diameter with a surrounding interfacial layer. Nanoparticles are so small that when they enter our body, they will travel through our blood stream and end up in other organs such as brain, liver, heart and spleen. They will accumulate in the organs and can cause negative health effects. A study has shown that nanoparticles of titanium dioxide are connected to DNA damages. Nanoparticles of titanium dioxide can enter the cell nucleus, directly embed into or indirectly affect DNA, causing DNA breakage or affecting gene expression. For example, when nanoparticles of titanium dioxide enters the blood circulation and accumulate in the liver, it can cause liver inflammation or damage. Nanoparticles of zinc oxide is also dangerous. It can generate free radicals when exposed to UV (ultraviolet) sunlight. Free radicals damage DNA, cells and proteins and grow tumors. Scientists found that when nanoparticles of zinc oxide was exposed to 3 hours of UVA, half of the zinc-oxide solution-exposed cells had died. After 12 hours, 90 percent of the zinc-oxide solution exposed cells had died.
How Nanoparticles Enter Our Body
Nanoparticles can enter our body through inhalation or ingesting. Babies or children can put their hands with sunscreens in their mouth which may cause ingesting some sunscreen particles. We can also swallow nanoparticles from lip sunscreens. Nanoparticles can be also inhaled from spray sunscreens. When we inhale spray sunscreens, nano particles can enter our lungs and travel through our blood to reach other organs. Therefore, avoid spray sunscreens that contain nanoparticles of titanium dioxide and zinc oxide.
Nanoparticles also has been suspected to enter our body through the skin in the past. However, some studies concluded that nanoparticles do not penetrate into deeper layers of the skin. A research by scientists at the University of Bath tested penetration of zinc oxide particles of 19 and 110 nanometers on human volunteers who applied. Only less than 0.01 percent of zinc entered the bloodstream. Another study showed that less than 0.03% of the applied zinc content (nanoparticles of zinc oxide) penetrated the outer layer of the skin and no particles were detected in the deeper layer. Therefore, topical use of sunscreens with nanoparticles of titanium dioxide and zinc oxide seems to be ok. However, babies and children have a thinner skin than adults do so outcome may be different. Also, nano technology is still pretty new and there hasn’t been enough studies done about possible long term risks. Therefore, nanoparticles should be used with caution or avoided if possible.
Micronized (Micronized Particles) VS Micron-sized
Sunscreens can be made with micronized particles, nanoparticles or micron-sized particles. Micronization is the process of reducing the average diameter of a solid material’s particles. Micronized particles are still very small but bigger than nanoparticles. Nanoparticles are particles less than 100 nanometers in diameter, or 0.1 micron. When a particle is less than 50 nanometers, it can go through a cell membrane. Typically micronized particles are between 0.1 micron and 100 microns. (1 nanometer = 0.001 micrometer, therefore 100 nanometer and 100000 nanometer) Micronized sunscreens are made by grinding larger particles to smaller size, therefore, grinding process may produce some nano sized particles. That means micronized particles may or may not contain some nanoparticles.
Micron-sized particles, on the other hand, are not made by grinding particles but by using a clean gas phase process. This process keeps particles in the micron range (equal sized particles). Micron-sized particles are also more than 100 nanometers in diameter. Therefore, they are safe from particles entering cells since their size is bigger than nanoparticles. You can find out whether a sunscreen is using micron-sized particles or nanoparticles by asking a company to provide you with a particle size number. However, if you want to find out if the particles are micronized or micron-sized, it may not be easy. Both micronized or micron-sized particles are bigger than 100 nanometer and the name depends on how particles were made. When I contacted all of the manufactures I have listed, they didn’t clarify if the particles are micronized or micro-sized. However, they did all confirm that their particles were non-nano (larger than 100 nanometers), some companies confirming 100% non-nano particles.
Some people avoid sunscreens with titanium dioxide or zinc oxide because sunscreens with these ingredients tend to make your face look ‘white’. This whiteness is caused by submicron sized titanium dioxide or zinc oxide particles in sunscreen formulas. When you use a sunscreen with zinc oxide or titanium dioxide, the sunscreen makes a layer on the skin to provide protection rather than getting absorbed to the skin. In other words, zinc oxide or titanium dioxide in sunscreen sits on top of your skin to provide UVA protection from the sun. An interesting thing here is a particle size of zinc oxide or titanium dioxide is related to UVA protection. According to EWG’s Skin Deep, small particles of zinc oxide provide greater transparency but larger particles offer greater UVA protection. Therefore, manufacturers have to balance the amount of UVA protection their sunscreen offers and at the same time, balance the size of the zinc oxide to provide not too much whiteness. Some sunscreen manufacturers reduce the titanium dioxide or zinc oxide particles to nanometer size (< 100 nm) in order to eliminate white cast. However, if you want to avoid nanoparticles, you can expect the sunscreen to have a little white cast.
What To Look For In A Sunscreen
- Mineral-based sunscreens with zinc oxide or titanium dioxide
(EWG’s Skin Deep recommends zinc oxide for a sunscreen ingredient (15 to 20 percent). Apparently, zinc oxide offers better protection from UVA than titanium dioxide or other chemicals. - Protection against both UVA and UVB rays
(Not all sunscreens protect you from both UVB and UVA rays.) - Choose between SPF 30-50 sunscreens.
(Sunscreen larger than SPF 50 does not offer better protection.)
- non-nanoparticle zinc oxide
(Choose a sunscreen with micron-sized or 100% non-nano particles: the size of particles more than 100 nanometers in diameter)
- No toxic ingredients
Please read my next post, ‘Non Toxic Sunscreen Guide – What You Should Look For In A Sunscreen‘ to see what you should be looking for in a sunscreen in detail.
Non Toxic Baby Sunscreens
Badger Baby Sunscreen – Non Toxic Baby Sunscreen
EWG’s Skin Deep Toxic Rating Score: 1
(1 being lowest, 10 being highest)
98% Organic Ingredients Certified by NSF
Protection against UVA & UVB: Yes
SPF 30
Water resistant for 40 min.
Non-GMO certified by NSF, cruelty-free certified
Active Sunscreen Ingredient:
Non-Nano, Uncoated Zinc Oxide 18.75%
Base Ingredients:
*Helianthus Annuus (Sunflower) Seed Oil, *Cera Alba (Beeswax), Tocopherol (Sunflower Vitamin E), *Anthemis Nobilis (Roman Chamomile) Flower Oil, *Calendula Officinalis (Calendula) Flower Extract, *Hippophae Rhamnoides (Seabuckthorn) Fruit Extract
*=Certified Organic
Badger Balm Kids Face Stick – Non Toxic Baby Sunscreen
EWG’s Skin Deep Toxic Rating Score: 1
(1 being lowest, 10 being highest)
Protection against UVA & UVB: Yes
100% Certified Natural
98% Organic Ingredients Certified by NSF
BPA and phthalate-free tube from >35% PCR recycled #2 plastic
Only has 9 ingredients!
SPF 35
Water resistant for 80 min.
Non-GMO ingredients, NSF certified, cruelty-free, reef safe, biodegradable, and planet-friendly
Active Sunscreen Ingredient:
Non-Nano, Uncoated Zinc Oxide 22.5%
Base Ingredients:
*Olea Europaea (Olive) Fruit Oil, *Cera Alba (Beeswax), *Theobroma Cacao (Cocoa) Seed Butter, *Butyrospermum Parkii (Shea) Butter, *Citrus Aurantium Dulcis (Orange) Peel Oil, *Citrus Tangerina (Tangerine) Peel Oil, Tocopherol (Sunflower Vitamin E), *Vanilla Planifolia (Vanilla) Fruit Extract.
*=Certified Organic =Extra Virgin Olive Oil
Babo Botanicals Baby Sunscreen – Non Toxic Baby Sunscreen
EWG’s Skin Deep Toxic Rating Score: 1
(1 being lowest, 10 being highest)
Protection against UVA & UVB: Yes
SPF 30
Water resistant for 80 min.
Cruelty-free certified
Active Ingredient: Zinc Oxide 19.0% (100% Non-Nano)
Particle Size: >100 nm
Inactive Ingredients: Aloe Barbadensis Leaf (Aloe Vera Gel) Juice*, Aqua (Deionized Water), Argania Spinosa (Argan) Oil*, Butyrospermum Parkii (Shea) Butter*, Calendula Officinalis Extract,* Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Caprylyl/Capryl Glucoside, Caprylyl Glycol, Caryodendron Orinocense (Kahai) Oil, Chamomilla Recutita (Chamomile) Extract*, Glycerin*, Glyceryl Stearate, Helianthus Annuus (Sunflower) Oil*, Hexylene Glycol, Hippophae Rhamnoides (Sea Buckthorn) Oil), Hydroxyethylcellulose, Nasturtium Officinalis (Watercress) Extract*, Polyhydroxystearic Acid, Potassium Sorbate, Pueraria Lobata (Kudzu) Extract*, Rosa Canina (Rose Hips) Oil*, Rosmarinus Officinalis (Rosemary) Extract*, Sodium Bicarbonate, Spiraea Ulmairia (Meadowsweet) Extract*, Stearic Acid, Xanthan Gum, Zemea (Corn) Propanediol.
*Certified Organic Ingredients
Babo Botanicals Sunscreen Sport Stick – Non Toxic Baby Sunscreen
EWG’s Skin Deep Toxic Rating Score: 1
(1 being lowest, 10 being highest)
Protection against UVA & UVB: Yes
SPF 30
Water resistant for 80 min.
Cruelty-free certified
Active Ingredients: Zinc Oxide 15.0% (100% Non-Nano)
Inactive Ingredients: Beeswax*, Butyrospermum Parkii (Shea) Butter*, Calophyllum Tacamahaca (Tamanu) Seed Oil*, Euphorbia Cerifera (Candelilla) Wax, Jojoba Esters, Octyldodecyl Oleate, Oryza Sativa (Rice) Bran Oil*, Persea Gratissima (Avocado) Oil*, Simmondsia Chinensis (Jojoba) Seed Oil*, Theobroma Cacao (Cocoa) Seed Butter*, Tocopherol.
*Certified Organic Ingredients
Think Baby Sunscreen – Non Toxic Baby Sunscreen
EWG’s Skin Deep Toxic Rating Score: 1
(1 being lowest, 10 being highest)
Protection against UVA & UVB: Yes
SPF 50
Water resistant for 80 min.
No Animal Testing (Leaping Bunny member)
Active Ingredient: Zinc oxide 20% (Non-Nano)
Particle size: 0 micron to 2.5 microns or 1 to 2500 nanometers. They acquire 100> micron size zno.
Inactive Ingredients: Purified water (0), aloe barbadensis leaf juice extract (0), capric caprylic triglycerides (0), sorbitan stearate (coconut based) (1), methyl abietate (pine wood resin) (0), vegetable glycerin (0), cetyl dimethicone (0), hydrogenated castor oil (0), magnesium sulfate (epsom salt) (0), sunflower oil (0), jojoba oil (0), ascorbic acid (vitamin C) (0), tocopherols (vitamin E) (1), olive oil (0), raspberry seed oil (0), cranberry seed oil (0), hyaluronic acid (made from vegetable) (0), glucose oxidase & lactoperoxidate (0), papaya (0).
thinkbaby Sunscreen Stick – Non Toxic Baby Sunscreen
EWG’s Skin Deep Toxic Rating Score: 1
(1 being lowest, 10 being highest)
Protection against UVA & UVB: Yes
SPF 30
Water resistant for 80 min.
No animal testing (Leaping Bunny member)
Active Ingredient: Zinc Oxide 20% (Non-nano)
Particle size: 0 micron to 2.5 microns or 1 to 2500 nanometers. They acquire 100> micron size zno.
Inactive Ingredients: Healianthus annuus (sunflower) seed oil, Cocos nucifera (coconut) oil, Ceramic alba (beeswax), Euphorbia Cerifera (candelilla) wax, Ricinus Communis (castor) oil, Copernicia cerifera(carnauba) was, Butyrospermum parcel (Shea) butter, Tocopherol, Aloe Barbadensis (aloe) leaf juice
Thinksport Kid’s Safe Sunscreen – Non Toxic Baby Sunscreen
EWG’s Skin Deep Toxic Rating Score: 1
(1 being lowest, 10 being highest)
Protection against UVA & UVB: Yes
SPF 50
Water resistant for 80 min.
No animal testing (Leaping Bunny member)
Active Ingredient: Zinc Oxide 20% (Non-nano)
Particle size: 0 micron to 2.5 microns or 1 to 2500 nanometers. They acquire 100> micron size zno.
Inactive Ingredients: Purifie water (0), Aloe Barbadensis leaf juice (0), Carpric caprylic triglycerides, Sorbitan stearate (coconut based) (1), Pine wood resin (0), Vegetable glycerin (0), Cetyl dimethicone (0), Hydrogenated castor oil (0), Magnesium sulphate (epsom salt) (0), Sunflower oil, Jojoba oil (0), Ascorbic acid (vitamin c) (0), Tocopherols (vitamin E) (1), Olive oil (0), Raspberry seed oil (0), Cranberry seed oil (0), Hyaluronic acid (made from vegetable) (0), Glucose & Glucose Oxidase and Lactoperoxidase (0), Papaya (0)
The Honest Co. Honest Mineral Sunscreen – Non Toxic Baby Sunscreen
EWG’s Skin Deep Toxic Rating Score: 1
(1 being lowest, 10 being highest)
Protection against UVA & UVB: Yes
SPF 50
Water resistant for 80 min.
Active Ingredient – Zinc Oxide 19% (Non-nano)
Inactive Ingredients:
Water (Aqua), Coco-Caprylate, CocosNucifera (Coconut) Oil, Glycerin, Sorbitan Oleate, Cetyle Dimethicone, Hydrogenated Vegetable Oil, Butyrospermum Parkii (Shea) Butter, Polyglyceryl-3 Polyricinoleate, Magnesium Sulfate, Sodium Chloride, Phenethyl Alcohol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Glyceryl Caprylate, Oryza Sativa (Rice) Bran Extract, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Tocopherol, Pyrus Malus (Apple) Fruit Extract, Helianthus Annuss (Sunflower) Extract, Rosmarinus Officinalis (Rosemary) Leaf Extract.
All Good Kids Sunscreen Lotion – Non Toxic Baby Sunscreen
EWG’s Skin Deep Toxic Rating Score: 1
(1 being lowest, 10 being highest)
Protection against UVA & UVB: Yes
SPF 30
Water resistant for 80 min.
biodegradable, coral reef friendly
TruKid Sunny Days Sport Water Resistant Lotion– Non Toxic Baby Sunscreen
EWG’s Skin Deep Toxic Rating Score: 1
(1 being lowest, 10 being highest)
Protection against UVA & UVB: Yes
SPF 30
Water resistant for 80 min.
Final Thoughts
A sunscreen can contain toxic chemicals such as Oxybenzone or Retinyl Palmitate (Vitamin A) which can disrupt hormone or cause cancer. It can also contain nanoparticles which can damage DNA. Therefore, a chemical-based sunscreen and a nanoparticle sunscreen should be avoided. Non toxic baby sunscreen is a mineral-based sunscreen with non-nanoparticle zinc oxide (15 to 20 percent). It has protection against both UVA and UVB rays. The best sunscreen coverage range is SPF 30-50.
I really like Badger baby, Babo Botanicals and Thinkbaby sunscreen. They all have non-nano zinc oxide close to 20%. Babo Botanicals and Badger Baby sunscreens use organic ingredients as well. They all have both UVA and UVB protection. All of them are rated ‘1’ by EWG’s Skin Deep for their toxic rating. (1 being the lowest toxic) They do not contain any harmful ingredients. Mineral-based sunscreens will make a face appear slightly white. Since these sunscreen particles are bigger than nanoparticles and don’t get absorbed through the skin like chemical-based sunscreens do, you can expect white cast. However, in my experience, the white cast is not that bad. I use Thinkbaby sunscreen on me and my baby. The whiteness goes away as you rub the sunscreen on the face. After finishing rubbing the sunscreen on the face, I only see very thin, slight whiteness. I don’t mind it since these sunscreens have the best non toxic ingredients compared to other sunscreens.
Check out sunscreens for adults in my next post, ‘Non Toxic Sunscreen Guide – What You Should Look For In A Sunscreen‘.
Are there any non-toxic sunscreens for babies or toddlers that are also a bug repellent?
Hi Clarissa,
Badger Company makes Anti-Bug Sunscreen, Broad Spectrum SPF 34.
Hope this helps! 🙂
What are you thoughts on the bare republic sunscreen line?
Hi Amrita,
EWG’s Skin Deep rates Bare Republic sunscreen line safe. You can see it at this link. However, at Amazon, the product says that it is a non-whitening sunscreen that prevents white cast. Typically, non-whitening sunscreens that have no white cast contain nano-particles. Although EWG’s Skin Deep says their ingredient, Zinc Oxide is sunscreen grade > 100nm, it is very difficult to measure and ensure that a product is 100% nanoparticle free according to Badger Balm’ article. Currently, US FDA doesn’t define ‘nano’ or ‘non-nano.’ In the EU, if 50% or more of the particles are bigger than 100 nanometers, the product can still be called non-nano. (which means, sunscreen can contain 51% non-nano and the rest nano particles.) According to the article, studies show that particles of zinc oxide greater than 30nm, when applied to the skin in a lotion or cream based product, do not get absorbed into the body, do not enter the bloodstream, and are not a threat to human health. So it appears that as long as nano particles are bigger than 30nm, it doesn’t have a threat when applied topically. Personally, I don’t like nano particles in the sunscreen.
If this sunscreen has no white cast, there are a chance that particles are very small. However, we wouldn’t know exactly unless we measure it which is difficult to do. It really depends on if you are comfortable with a product or not with the information given. I have inquired Bare Republic about their particle size of their zinc oxide. If I hear from them, I will let you know.
Hi Amrita,
I got this response from Bare Republic Sunscreen.
Titanium Dioxide and Zinc Oxide are two of the most common and effective active sunscreen ingredients that create a physical block on the skin. Much of the concern that surrounds these ingredients is the effect when these ingredients are micronized into nano-particles and they may risk becoming inhaled or ingested. At Bare Republic, we take the appropriate caution to ensure we do not use nanoparticles in any form that can be inhaled or ingested, (i.e. sprays, lip, baby products, etc.). That said, we do choose to formulate our Mineral Face SPF 30 Sunscreen Lotions as well as our Shimmer Sunscreen Lotions with nanoparticles, as it allows our customers to achieve a transparent and smooth application. As noted by the EWG, nanoparticles when applied as a lotion do not penetrate the skin. The form in which nanoparticles have shown in wide-ranging studies to be a danger are as an airborne substance or any form that can be inhaled or ingested: loose mineral makeup powder, sprays, lip products etc.
Hope this helps. 🙂
Hello, thank you so much for the summary and research on sunscreens. I wanted to ask if you’ve read the Clean Label Project sunscreen study? They mention a concern regarding the lead found in mineral sunscreen (especially for toddlers) and now I’m beyond confused what to use for my daughter. Here is the link:
https://cleanlabelproject.org/wp-content/uploads/Sunscreen_Infographic-01-1.jpg
Thanks for your opinion on that!
Hi Laura,
I tried to research online for mineral sunscreen lotions containing lead. However, could not find any information.
According to many experts including the Environmental Working Group (EWG), Titanium dioxide and Zinc oxide in mineral sunscreen lotions are safe and do not mention anything about lead in mineral sunscreens. I feel that chemical sunscreens using chemicals such as Oxybenzone or Octinoxate
(Octyl methoxycinnamate) could be harmful and I wouldn’t use them for my daughter. I hope this helps!