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Is it safe? · Pregnancy Smart

Is sunscreen safe for a baby under 6 months?

Assigned clinical reviewerMichael Yuzefovich· MD, FACOGDraft · pending clinical reviewUpdated

What does the evidence say about sunscreen for babies under 6 months?

  1. Sunscreen isn't the FDA's answer for babies under 6 months, since infants are at greater risk than adults of sunscreen side effects such as a rash, which is why shade and timing are the preferred approach for this age instead. 1
  2. For babies under 6 months, the recommended approach is natural or created shade, avoiding direct sun between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m., and lightweight long-sleeved clothing with a wide-brimmed hat, with a pediatrician consulted before any sunscreen is applied to this age group. 1
  3. Infants younger than 6 months should be kept out of direct sunlight altogether, which is the AAP's core recommendation for this age group. 2
  4. An infant's outer skin layer (stratum corneum) is about 30% thinner and the epidermis about 20% thinner than an adult's, and the ratio of skin surface area to body weight in newborns is 2.3 times higher than in adults, meaning any topical product covers proportionally more of a baby's body. 3
  5. Infant skin barrier properties don't closely resemble adult skin until about two years after birth, so the extra caution around what's applied topically extends well past the newborn period, even though it is most pronounced in the first months. 3
  6. General sun-safety guidance, which applies once sunscreen is appropriate, includes seeking shade, covering arms and legs, wearing a wide-brimmed hat and UV-blocking sunglasses, and using broad-spectrum sunscreen with an SPF of 15 or higher on any skin left exposed. 4
  7. When sunscreen is used, the guidance is about one ounce to cover all exposed skin, applied 15 minutes before going outside, reapplied every two hours or after swimming or sweating, with the sun's rays strongest between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. 5

Sun protection by age

AgeWhat's recommended
Younger than 6 monthsShade, timing away from peak sun, and lightweight long-sleeved clothing plus a wide-brimmed hat come first; check with your pediatrician before using any sunscreen
6 months and olderBroad-spectrum sunscreen with SPF 15 or higher on exposed skin, about one ounce to cover the body, reapplied every two hours or after swimming or sweating
Any ageSeeking shade and staying out of the sun's strongest hours, roughly mid-morning to mid-afternoon, reduces exposure regardless of what else you do

Frequently asked questions

Why isn't sunscreen recommended for babies under 6 months?

Infants are at greater risk than adults of sunscreen side effects such as a rash, and their skin absorbs proportionally more of what's applied to it since the outer skin layer is thinner and the surface area relative to body weight is much higher. Shade and clothing don't carry that same absorption concern.

What should I use instead of sunscreen for a young infant?

Natural or created shade, such as under a tree, umbrella, canopy, or pop-up tent, is the first choice, paired with lightweight long-sleeved clothing and a wide-brimmed hat. Keeping outings out of the strongest midday sun does a lot of the remaining work.

Is it ever okay to use sunscreen on a baby under 6 months?

It can be, but it's a decision to make with your pediatrician rather than a default choice, since the standing guidance is to check with them first before applying sunscreen to a baby this young.

What time of day is riskiest for sun exposure?

Guidance aimed at young infants names 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. as the window to avoid direct sun in. Broader sun-safety guidance for the general population extends the strongest-UV window out to around 4 p.m., so erring toward the wider window is the more cautious approach.

Why is a baby's skin different from an adult's when it comes to what's applied to it?

A newborn's outer skin layer is roughly 30% thinner than an adult's, with the epidermis about 20% thinner, and the ratio of skin surface area to body weight is 2.3 times higher. Skin barrier properties don't closely resemble an adult's until around age two.

When can babies start using regular sunscreen?

General sunscreen guidance, including broad-spectrum protection with an SPF of 15 or higher, applies from 6 months of age on. Below that age, shade, timing, and clothing are the recommended approach instead.

How much does clothing actually help compared to sunscreen?

For babies under 6 months, clothing and a wide-brimmed hat are named specifically, alongside shade, as the preferred approach for this age, rather than as a lesser backup to sunscreen. Lightweight long sleeves and pants that cover the arms and legs are the standard recommendation.

What if I can't keep my baby fully shaded or covered?

That's the scenario where checking with your pediatrician about a small amount of sunscreen on exposed skin comes in, rather than skipping protection altogether. It's an individualized call rather than a fixed rule for every outing.

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References

  1. Should You Put Sunscreen on Infants? Not Usually

    FDA · https://www.fda.gov/consumers/consumer-updates/should-you-put-sunscreen-infants-not-usually

  2. Ultraviolet Radiation Exposure

    AAP · https://www.aap.org/en/patient-care/environmental-health/promoting-healthy-environments-for-children/ultraviolet-radiation/

  3. Skin Barrier Function in Infants: Update and Outlook

    PMC · https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC8880311/

  4. Reducing Risk for Skin Cancer

    CDC · https://www.cdc.gov/skin-cancer/prevention/index.html

  5. Sun Safety Tips

    EPA · https://www.epa.gov/sunsafety/sun-safety-tips

These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.