Reviews: The Best Sunscreens for Children - Let Us Help You Choose!

Children usually hate having sunscreen applied, and the process requires a considerable amount of patience and a well-developed foundation of strategic manipulation and bribery in the form of treats or cartoons on a tablet. This applies to the little ones, of course. The older ones require more sophisticated tactics.

That's why we organised a grand test of sunscreens for kids in our editorial office - and especially directly on the editing staff's kids - to see which application method, consistency and scent the kids can handle. You can read how the testing turned out in the following sections.

Lancaster Sun Sensitive Kids Milky Spray

Iva, Online Editor

What did I like the most?

The SPF 50 which protects against UVA, UVB and infrared rays. My half-Scottish kids with translucent pale skin are instantly red, and with this Lancaster Sun Sensitive Kids Milky Spray, there were no signs of burning.

Pros

A very mild spray that doesn't have much of a smell, but at the same time doesn't leave an SPF "scent". It blends well and absorbs quickly into the skin, so the kids didn't mind so much when I insisted on applying it every two hours. The spray is water resistant and what I really appreciated is that it can be applied onto wet skin as well. That way the poor kids didn't have to sit on the beach until they dried, they just came out of the water, I rubbed them down and they could go swimming again. It also contains antisand technology, which I didn't observe on the kids, but no sand stuck to the bottle itself, which was also covered in cream. 

Cons

It's not a disadvantage, it's merely a personal preference. I don't like this type of spray. I prefer sprays with either continuous application, where you don't have to squeeze them over and over, or regular creams that you just squeeze into your hand. I find that when your hands are covered in cream, it's quite challenging to squeeze the spray one-handed.

Weleda Sun

Jane P, Online Editor

What I liked the most

I don't really like chemicals, so I was glad to see that the Weleda Sun sunscreen contains mineral (physical) filters instead.

Pros

Weleda Sun sunscreen really holds its own. It can withstand multiple swims and towel rubs, so I didn't have to slather it on my baby every twenty minutes. She does not like applying sunscreen at all, so that was a big win for me. And I didn't mind at all that the cream is fragrance free. I didn't have to worry about it stinging her eyes if I put it on her face.

Cons

The cream is difficult to blend and leaves behind a slightly white layer. Which is fine on the beach, but for everyday wear it can be a bit of a pain.

Ladival For Kids

Teresa, Online Editor

What I liked the most

Since I have kids with quite a big age difference, I can appreciate that the Ladival Kids' sunscreen milk SPF 50+ has a high SPF and that it's designed for both toddlers and older children, so I don't have to take two products on holiday.

Pros 

This milk has the highest possible sun protection, a pleasantly thick consistency that spreads well, and can withstand both sea waves and wild creek water. It is fragrance-, colour- and preservative-free and suitable for sufferers of atopic conditions. The kids appreciated the packaging, I have discovered a new product that I will definitely choose again when shopping for sunscreen for my kids.

Cons 

The fact that the milk is fragrance-free is an advantage, but also a possible disadvantage. I like my kids to smell like baby products.

Badger Sun

Peter, Content Specialist (and his test children)

What I liked the most

Badger Sun sunscreen blends very easily and leaves almost no white residue on the body.

Pros

I like creams with very gentle ingredients and I really pay attention to what I put on my kids. They have sensitive and atopic skin. And I was thrilled with the formula of this cream. The cream also withstood swimming in the water. The fragrance is natural and almost unnoticeable, I sense more of the cream's base...

Cons

...and that's probably why my kids don't like the smell of it at all.

La Roche-Posay Anthelios Eco Tube 

Lilly, Online Content Editor

What I liked the most

It is non-greasy, non-sticky, absorbs quickly into the skin, has a pleasant, subtle scent, does not irritate sensitive baby skin and can withstand the water.

Pros

The La Roche-Posay Anthelios Eco Tube SPF 50+ hydrating lotion is probably the best baby sunscreen we've had the opportunity to use at home. It spreads beautifully, isn't greasy, and doesn't dry out the skin. It didn't cause any reluctance in my older kids, because it doesn't "whiten" them, so the phrase "as long as I'm not white" is a thing of the past. And of course, as a mum, I'm delighted that it has 50+ protection and PA++++. Even my youngest princess with a tendency to be atopic doesn't mind. Victory on all fronts!

Cons

It may be the higher price, but I've learned not to skimp on skin products.

Bioderma Photoderm KID Milk

Alice, Lead of Content Marketing

What I liked the most

The fact that the sunscreen is not perfumed, and the subtle blue colouring kept my daughter entertained. She saw exactly where she still needed to "touch up".

Pros

Its high SPF 50+ with maximum protection and patented cellular bio-protection, is a big plus for me with the Bioderma Photoderm KID protective sunscreen for kids with SPF 50+. I definitely appreciate the ingredients that restore the skin. I also liked the fact that it is non-greasy and quickly absorbed, which is appreciated by every mother, because applying sunscreen to children is a high-speed discipline. A milk with a slight blue tint is an advantage, you can see where it still needs to be applied. However, the blue colouring is quickly absorbed, so you don't have to worry about the kids staying blue.

Cons

Maybe only the small packaging, 100ml is fine for a weekend at most.

We are thrilled with the kids sunscreens. They deliver what they promise. Now it's time to teach your little ones to love SPF and to apply it regularly. Which sunscreen for children will you choose?