2016 Best & Worst Sunscreens For Kids
SAN FRANCISCO (CBS SF) -- School's out and that means kids are outside all day. Whether they are on their bikes, at the pool, or just walking around the neighborhood, they should be wearing protective sunscreen to filter out the sun's harmful UV rays.
Researchers at the Environmental Working Group, a non-profit consumer watchdog have put together their annual list of the best and worst sunscreens for children. Using industry, government and academic data, some 750 products were given a score between 1 and 10 -- with 1 being the best, and 10 being the worst.
EWP'S Best Sunscreeens for 2016
All 22 top-rated sunscreens on EWP's list earned a score of '1.' All of them received a high 'green' rating, meaning they are free of hazardous ingredients. All the products at the very top are lotions. Sticks were excluded from the list because, according researchers, studies show people to apply too little product when they use them.
Here are EWP's top twenty-two:
Adorable Baby Sunscreen Lotion, SPF 30+
All Good Kid's Sunscreen, SPF 33
All Terrain KidSport Sunscreen Lotion, SPF 30
ATTITUDE Little Ones 100% Mineral Sunscreen, Fragrance Free, SPF 30
babyhampton beach*bum sunscreen, SPF 30
Badger Kids Sunscreen Cream, SPF 30
Bare Belly Organics Baby Sunscreen, SPF 30
Belly Buttons & Babies Sunscreen Lotion, SPF 30
Blue Lizard Australian Sunscreen, Baby, SPF 30+
BurnOut Kids Physical Sunscreen, SPF 35
California Baby Super Sensitive Sunscreen, SPF 30+
COOLA Suncare Baby Mineral Sunscreen Unscented Moisturizer, SPF 50
Goddess Garden Kids Sport Natural Sunscreen Lotion, SPF 30
Hampton Sun Sunscreen Lotion For Baby, SPF 45
Jersey Kids Mineral Sunscreen Lotion, SPF 30
Kiss My Face Organics Kids Mineral Sunscreen, SPF 30
Nurture My Body Baby Organic Sunscreen, SPF 32
Substance Baby Natural Sun Care Creme, SPF 30
Sunology Natural Sunscreen, Kids, SPF 50
Sunumbra Sunkids Natural Sunscreen, SPF 40
Thinksport for Kids Sunscreen, SPF 50+
TruKid Sunny Days Sport Sunscreen, SPF 30+
EWP's Worst Sunscreens for 2016
The 13 worst-scoring products ranked at the bottom due to several factors. Some contain unhealthy ingredients like the UV protector oxybenzone or retinyl palmitate, a form of Vitamin A. They all have SPF values above 50 which EWP considers dangerous because sky-high SPF ratings may create a false sense of security and encourage kids to stay in the sun too long. Others are spray sunscreens, and pose "serious inhalation problems."
Here are EWP's bottom thirteen:
Banana Boat Kids Max Protect & Play Sunscreen Lotion, SPF 100
Coppertone Water Babies Sunscreen Stick, SPF 55
Coppertone Sunscreen Continuous Spray, Kids, SPF 70
Coppertone Sunscreen Lotion Kids, SPF 70+
Coppertone Foaming Lotion Sunscreen Kids Wacky Foam, SPF 70+
Coppertone Water Babies Sunscreen Lotion, SPF 70+
CVS Baby Sunstick Sunscreen, SPF 55
CVS Kids Wet & Dry Sunscreen Spray, SPF 70+
Equate Kids Sunscreen Stick, SPF 55
Hampton Sun Continuous Mist Sunscreen For Kids, SPF 70
Neutrogena Wet Skin Kids Sunscreen Spray, SPF 70+
Neutrogena Wet Skin Kids Sunscreen Stick, SPF 70+
Up & Up Kids Sunscreen Stick, SPF 55
The researchers at EWG caution parents that sunscreen is a last resort when it comes to sun safety. There are many other common sense ways to protect kids from the harmful effects of UV rays: wear protective clothing and sunglasses, seek out shady places to play, avoid exposure to direct sun at noontime, and always check the UV index.
