We just got back from a week in the Caribbean, before which I unknowingly made the rookie parenting mistake of not packing enough sunscreen (isn’t it amazing how MUCH you go through every day when at the beach?).
Halfway through the trip, we were out of the Good Stuff (which for us is either Kabana Green Screen or Babo Botanicals Clear Zinc Sunscreen), so I headed to the resort’s sundries shop to see what I could find. Surprisingly, they carried BabyGanics Cover-Up Baby Sunscreen, which is for sure better than the alternatives they had (ubertoxic Coppertone and the like).
I’ll admit that the spray-on feature of BabyGanics is really nice (I hope Kabana or Babo follow suit!), but the ingredients are far from natural, despite the “mineral-based” claim on the label. In addition to minerals, you’ll find octinoxate (which is a chemical sunscreen ingredient, as opposed to a barrier ingredient like zinc oxide or titanium dioxide), phenoxyethanol, polysorbate-60, and lauryl PEG/PPG-18/18 methicone–all of which represent a variety of risks, from hormone disruption to worse.
The white sheen of Badger sunscreen
While my kids appear to have survived the week of chemical spray, I will be sure to pack three tubes of truly safe sunscreen the next time we travel. While Kabana (the very safest sunscreen on the market, I believe) leaves a white sheen unless you REALLY rub it in, the Babo Botanicals sunscreen we now carry is totally clear, so my husband and I opt for that on our own faces–otherwise, we look like our friend Joe, pictured here a few summers ago (in Badger sunscreen, when I made everyone test out all the natural brands I was reviewing).
If you want my top picks for sunscreen, check out our Safe Sunscreen Guide for our top picks.
Want the bottom line? I’d go with Kabana Green Screen for your kids (because it’s got added vitamin D) and Babo Botanicals Clear Zinc Sunscreen Lotion for you (because it goes on clear).
Stay sane,
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kate says
I am interested in trying Babo Botanicals Clear Zinc Sunscreen after reading your article. I am wondering if you find it to be waterproof. I would hate for it to run into my little ones’ eyes. And how often to you find it needs to be reapplied? Thank you for your time.
Maia James says
Hi Kate-
Actually, no sunscreen is allowed to declare itself as waterproof any more. We have not had problems with it running into the eyes. If we are outside from 10:00-2:00, I reapply once if we are swimming. This has worked for us so far.
Thanks!
M
Crystal says
Hi! I had bought the babyganics mineral based sunscreen(not the spray kind) but since reading your article I haven’t used it. Would you say this one is just as bad as the spray one? I have since bought the kabana green screen but I feel like that one makes my son look sticky and shiny. Thanks so much!
Maia James says
I’m not sure which Babyganics you have; if you check the label, the active ingredients should ONLY include zinc oxide and/or titanium dioxide. If you see anything else on there, it’s Sneaky!
Ana says
Any recommendations for an everyday lotion with spf for my toddler?
Thank you
SK says
Hi,
I used babyganics last summer. My son who is brown skin turned darker. I am looking for some sunscreen that is safe and does not tan him so bad.
Thanks.
Kasie Bingham says
Is 35 strong enough spf for a 6 month old in the southern states?