If you’re searching for a great baby sunscreen that’s gentle on kids’ sensitive skin, Australia has a great range to choose from.

Growing up in a sun-drenched country Aussie kids learn pretty early on that they need to slip, slop, slap, seek and slide before heading out into the harsh sun.

A great tip for getting kids used to applying sunscreen is to model the behaviour – monkey see, monkey do! If your baby and toddler watch you apply sunscreen regularly, they’ll want to do the same, and after some practice, it eventually becomes part of their routine. Do keep in mind that according to the Cancer Council, using sunscreen on babies under six-months-old isn’t recommended. So make sure babies are protected from the sun in other ways, like with appropriate clothing, plenty of shade and hats.

Ready to find a fabulous baby sunscreen to see your little ones safely through the sunny months?

8 Kids & Baby Sunscreens For Summer

From vegan to dermatologically tested for delicate skin, these are a selection of sunscreens for kids and babies available in Australia.

Cancer Council SPF 50+ Kids 110ml Tube, $10.85

Cancer Council SPF50+ has been specially-formulated and dermatologically tested for delicate skin, and is water resistant for four hours. The gentle formula has been created without parabens or fragrances and is made in Australia.

Water resistant: Yes
Reapplication: Every 2 hours
Ingredients: Actives: 4-Methylbenzylidene Camphor 4% w/w, Octocrylene 4% w/w, Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane 3% w/w, Ethylhexyl Triazone 3% w/w Preservatives: Octanohydroxamic Acid, Caprylyl Glycol, Glycerol

We Are Feelgood Inc Sensitive Sunscreen Lotion

We Are Feel Good Inc. Sensitive Sunscreen Lotion SPF50+ 75ml, $19.95

A gentle sunscreen with no fragrance, it can be used by anyone with easily irritated skin, which includes babies and children. It’s water-resistant for up to four hours, and here’s the kicker for mums – it doubles as a primer under makeup! It’s also free from preservatives, PABAs, parabens, oxybenzone, and octinoxate.

Water resistant: 4 hours
Reapplication: Every 2 hours
Key Ingredients: Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane 40 mg/g, Ethylhexyl Triazone 30 mg/g, 4-Methylbenzylidene Camphor 40 mg/g, Octocrylene 40 mg/g, Aqua, C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate, Cera Alba, Silica, PEG-15 Cocamine, PEG-40 Stearate, Carbomer, Hydroxyethylcellulose, Aloe Barbade

Little Urchin Natural Sunscreen SPF 30

Little Urchin Natural Sunscreen SPF 30, $24.95

An SPF 30 and UVA/UVB broad-spectrum protection sunscreen that doesn’t contain any nasty chemicals or toxins. The clear, non-greasy sunscreen is also easy to apply and is perfect for babies over six months and anyone with sensitive skin in the family.

Water resistant: 3 hours
Reapplication: Every 1-2 hours
Ingredients: Active Ingredient: Zinc Oxide. Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Grape Vine (Vitis Vinifera) Seed Oil, Silica, Shea (Butyrospermum Parkii) Butter, Candelilla (Euphorbia Cerifera Cera) Wax, Bees Wax (Cera Alba ), Jojoba (Simmondsia Chinensis Seed) Oil, Vitamin E (Tocopherol), Aqua, Green Tea (Camellia Sinensis) Leaf Extract, Aluminum Starch Octenylsuccinate, Safflower (Carthamus Tinctorius) Seed Oil, Cucumber (Cucumis Sativus) Fruit Extract, Glycerin, Rosehip (Rosa Canina) Fruit Oil.

Banana Boat SPF 50+ Baby

Banana Boat SPF 50+ Baby 75ml Roll On, $10.99

The roll-on bottle makes this kid and baby-friendly sunscreen super easy to apply. The SPF 50+ provides UVA/UVB Broad Spectrum protection and even though it’s in a roll-on, it won’t run into the eyes so it’s also great for the face.

Water resistant: 4 hours
Reapplication: 2 hours
Ingredients: Active Ingredients: Butyl Methoxybidenzoylmethane 5%, 4-Methylbenzylidene Camphor 4%, Octocrylene 2%, Bemotrizinol 1% Contains: Preservatives: Phenoxyethanol, Hydroxybenzoates

NIVEA Sun Kids Protect & Play SPF50 Sunscreen

Nivea Sun Kids SPF 50+ Sunscreen Roll On, $8.39

The active natural minerals in this kids sunscreen are great for protecting young, delicate skin. And it’s fragrance-free so kids won’t turn up their noses!

Water resistant: 4 hours
Reapplication: 2 hours
Ingredients: Zinc oxide 50 mg/g, Methylene bis-benzotriazolyl tetramethylbutyl phenol 25 mg/g, Bemotrizinol 20 mg/g, 4-methylbenzylidene camphor 10 mg/g. Contains: Phenoxyethanol, 1,2-Hexanediol, Caprylyl Glycol.

 Wotnot Naturals

 Wotnot Naturals Sunscreen, $21.99

Glides on easily and is made from natural ingredients so it’s suitable for sensitive kids’ skin. It’s also palm-oil-free and reef friendly and helps nourish the skin while protecting it.

Ingredients: Zinc Oxide, Grapeseed Oil, Safflower Oil, Sesame Oil, Candelilla Wax, Beeswax, Carnauba Wax, Shea Butter, GMO-Free Vitamin E, Purified Water, Aloe Vera*, Silica, Naticide (All-Natural Preservative).

Thinkbaby

Thinkbaby Sunscreen, from $24.34

Ditch harmful chemicals with this gentle, mineral-based formula that’s highly effective, reef-friendly and broad-spectrum. Water resistant but won’t leave baby and kids’ skin feeling oily, so perfect for applying for all-year-round play.

Water resistant: 80 minutes
Reapplication: 2 hours
Ingredients: Zinc oxide 20% Sunscreen, Inactive Ingredients: Water, caprylic/capric triglyceride, polyglyceryl-4 stearate (and) cetyl dimethicone (and) hexyl laurate, glycerin, hydrogenated methyl abietate, cetyl dimethicone, magnesium sulfate, caprylhydroxamic acid (and) glyceryl caprylate (and) glycerin, hydrogenated castor oil, sorbitan sesquioleate, carica papaya (papaya) fruit extract, helianthus annuus (sunflower) oil, simmondsia chineses (jojoba) seed oil, tocopherol, olea europaea (olive) fruit oil, hyaluronic acid.

Sun Bum Baby Mineral SPF 50 Sunscreen Lotion

Baby Bum Baby Bum Mineral SPF 50 Sunscreen Lotion – Fragrance Free, $27.99

A 100% mineral based sunscreen with broad spectrum protection, this kids’ sunscreen is lightweight and non-greasy and made from safe minerals designed to protect babies’ skin from UVA and UVB rays.

Water resistant: Yes
Reapplication: Every 80 minutes
Ingredients: Zinc Oxide (20%), Water, Cocos Nucifera (Coconut) Oil, Butyloctyl Salicylate, Diheptyl Succinate, Methyl Dihydroabietate, Butyrospermum Parkii (Shea Butter), Capryloyl Glycerin/Sebacic Acid Copolymer, Sodium Stearoyl Glutamate, Cetearyl Alcohol, Theobroma Cacao (Cocoa) Seed Butter, Sodium Hyaluronate, Bisabolol, Tocopherol, Coco-Glucoside, Microcrystalline Cellulose, Cellulose Gum, Cetyl Alcohol, Arachidyl Alcohol, Behenyl Alcohol, Arachidyl Glucoside, Polyhydroxystearic Acid, Sodium Gluconate, Phenoxyethanol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Citric Acid

What to look for in sunscreen

The Melanoma Institute of Australia recommends using sunscreen that:

• Has the highest possible SPF. In Australia, that’s SPF 50+
• Is broad-spectrum, which means it protects fro UVA and UVB rays
• Is water resistant if swimming or exercising

How to use sunscreen properly

Most people don’t use anywhere near enough sunscreen. Usually only half or even just a quarter of what’s needed. Apply sunscreen to clean and dry skin, using around one teaspoon for each arm, leg, body front, body back and face (which includes the neck and ears). That should work out to around seven teaspoons across the entire body.

Keep an eye on the time – most sunscreens need to be reapplied every one to two hours.

How to be sun safe in Australia

We all grew up with the sun smart message to slip, slop, slap. But that has now been expanded to include seek and slide. So if you need a refresher, here are the five ways to protect you and your family from skin cancer:

• Slip: on clothing that covers as much skin as possible.
• Slop: on an SPF 30 or higher, broad-spectrum sunscreen 20 minutes before going outdoors and reapply regularly.
• Slap: on a hat that protects your face, neck and ears.
• Seek: shade when outdoors.
• Slide: on some sunglasses.

Sun protection for babies and infants

According to the Cancer Council, a baby’s delicate skin makes them susceptible to damage from the sun. And there’s evidence to suggest that sun exposure as a child makes an impact on our lifetime risk of skin cancer. To protect babies from the sun, it’s recommended that we use a combination of sun protection measures when the UV Index levels hit three or above.

The best tip for getting children used to sunscreen (rather than squirming their way out of it!) is to start young. Make it part of your routine, let them watch you applying sunscreen and it will become second nature, like popping on their shoes and hat.

How to apply sunscreen to reluctant kids!

There are no two ways about it, kids often don’t like having sunscreen applied. But there are some easy ways to get around the squirm!

Firstly, start them early. If you use sunscreen on your kids from six months old, they won’t know any different and it’ll just become part of the routine.

If they’re still reluctant, make sure you start by applying sunscreen to their faces. It’s often where the most resistance is, so if you get it out of the way, the rest should be easy.

Get them to help out. Kids love to do things themselves, so with your guidance, they can apply their own sunscreen. Either using their hands, or this handy Solar Buddies Sunscreen Applicator. Just fill it with sunscreen and it works like a roll-on. It’s even designed for little hands to hold comfortably.

We also asked the huge Facebook Mouths of Mums community which sunscreen their families use, take a look at their answers below:

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