10 best sunscreen for babies and toddlers recommended by mums in 2025

Childs Farm Kids and Baby Sun Cream Roll-On SPF 50+ was awarded Gold for Best Sun Protection Cream at the Mother&Baby Awards 2023 and 2024.

Award-winning and fragrance-free, Childs Farm’s Roll-On SPF 50+ is our top pick for reliable, everyday sun protection. It offers broad-spectrum UVA and UVB defence, is water-resistant, and keeps skin hydrated with naturally derived, ethically sourced ingredients. It’s suitable for all skin types, including sensitive and eczema-prone skin, and its compact 50ml roll-on bottle makes it ideal for travel and on-the-go use.

The roll-on applicator is a standout, offering quick, mess-free application. We found it's also handy for encouraging older children to apply sunscreen themselves.

Senior Digital Writer Hannah Carroll, whose son has severe allergies, found this was one of the few sunscreens that didn’t irritate his skin. “His skin is incredibly sensitive and flares with the wrong products, especially in heat,” she said. “So when I tried Childs Farm and saw no reaction, I was truly over the moon. The consistency is milky, and a little goes a long way.”

Digital Writer and mum Rebecca agreed, praising the speed and ease of use: “It’s great when we’re in a rush or heading out. You just roll it on and go. It’s thin, so it doesn’t feel heavy, but it kept my kids protected in the sun.”

Some parents noted the formula can feel slightly sticky at first and may be trickier to apply around the face. A few testers also mentioned light staining if it comes into contact with white clothing. Still, the overall verdict is overwhelmingly positive.

Read our full Childs Farm 50+SPF Roll-On Sun Lotion Fragrance-Free review.

For larger families who will need a bigger sunscreen than the Childs Farm SPF 50+ Roll-On, this is the same trusted sunscreen in a family-sized bottle. Perfect for all-over application at home, the beach or on holiday. Designed for babies from six months and up, this version offers the same gentle, high-level protection, but with a squeezable format that makes it easier to cover bigger areas quickly. It's ideal for families who need reliable, effective sun protection that goes a long way.

Mother and Baby Digital Writer Rebecca described this as a “lightweight suncream that rubs in really well. " She found it highly effective. “It’s a bit greasier than the Green People sun cream I tested,” she added, “but it has higher SPF 50+ protection and absorbs more easily, so the kids can get out in the sun more quickly. It’s a nice big bottle, so it should last a good amount of time.”

This suncream proved a safe and soothing option for children with sensitive or reactive skin. One tester, whose 6-year-old has severe eczema, said, “Usually he can’t wear sunscreen without flaring up, it takes ages to calm down. But this worked brilliantly. No itching or irritation, even better than some pharmacy creams we’ve tried.”

Testers appreciated that the formula was easy to apply and provided lasting protection without any stinging or discomfort, even for children who typically struggle with skincare products. If you're looking for an everyday family sunscreen that balances serious sun protection with skin-kind ingredients, this is a reliable and parent-approved option.

Read our full Childs Farm Sun Range review

Designed for ultra-sensitive skin and offering high UVA/UVB protection, this sun cream is popular with parents for holidays abroad, where the level of protection needed is much higher. One parent said they applied it to their 9-month-old, providing "fantastic coverage even through a couple of short swims."

The cream comes in an easy-to-use pump dispenser and has a thicker consistency, which some parents say takes a little effort to rub in, but many agree it’s worth it for the long-lasting protection. It’s marketed as fast-absorbing and non-greasy, and even claims to help prevent prickly heat, a big plus for heat-sensitive little ones.

While it’s not formulated specifically for babies, many parents with sensitive skin have found it to be gentle and effective. One parent with a child with a history of sun-induced rashes praised it as the only sunscreen that didn’t irritate their skin. That said, a few parents noted that it isn't as quick to absorb as other products on the market.

If you're searching for a gentle, eco-conscious sun lotion that won’t irritate your child’s skin, Green People Organic Children Sun Lotion is a strong contender. Designed for delicate skin and made with natural, certified organic ingredients, this SPF30 lotion is water-resistant, scent-free, and formulated to be eczema-friendly, a big win for many parents.

Mother&Baby's Digital Writer and mum, Rebecca Lancaster, personally tested it on her daughter and shared, “I like that this sun cream is scent-free and eczema-friendly, so I can be confident it won’t irritate her sensitive skin, that’s a huge selling point.” She also noted that it felt smooth and non-sticky once applied, making it an excellent option for beach days, although it does take a little time to rub in thoroughly, so it’s worth using before you’re dashing out the door.

Other reviewers echo this positive experience. One grandparent mentioned it's the only sun lotion her grandson isn’t allergic to, and while it’s not the cheapest, they felt the protection, texture, and natural formula made it worth it. Despite being labelled scent-free, multiple users agree there’s a very light, pleasant natural smell, far milder than many mainstream brands.

Parents particularly love that it helps prevent flare-ups in children with eczema or sensitive skin, and the ethical, cruelty-free formulation is a reassuring bonus. But just a heads-up, like many natural sunscreens, it may stain light-coloured clothing, so apply carefully.

Specially designed for young and sensitive skin, SunSense Kids SPF50+ offers broad-spectrum UVA and UVB protection in a fragrance-free, non-greasy formula that’s suitable from six months and up. Packed with moisturising vitamin B3, it helps care for delicate skin while shielding it from the sun, and is water-resistant for up to 80 minutes, ideal for little ones who love to splash.

Parents particularly love how easy it is to apply. Mum testers consistently praised its thicker, creamier texture, which spreads smoothly and avoids the mess often left behind by runnier brands. Mum Rachael shared that it saves both time and clean-up with her wriggly baby, while Paige appreciated how well it covered her child’s skin without leaving it sticky. Others noted the handy size of the bottle, perfect for popping in a changing bag or even for little ones to carry something themselves, which Jessica found helped her daughter take ownership of sun safety.

While some parents mentioned they'd prefer a spray option or found the price a little high, many felt the quality justified the cost. Mum Gail pointed out that the product is often prescribed by NHS trusts for children who need sun protection, which gave her extra confidence in using it. A few reviewers advised ensuring the lid is securely closed to prevent leaks in your bag.

**Read our full SunSense Kids SPF50+ review
**

Recommended by dermatologists for those with sun eczema and sun allergies, Evy Sun Mousse SPF50 KIDS is a wonderfully light sun-protection mousse that’s easy to apply and non-sticky. Unlike ordinary sun creams, the mousse formula spreads throughout the top layer of skin and avoids clogging up the skin surface. This makes the product less likely to be wiped off during bathing and towel drying to provide your little ones with reliable, long-lasting protection against UVA and UVB rays while they play in the sun.

If your tot has medium to dark skin, you'll be pleased to know that parents recommend this product for leaving their medium-dark skin tone looking exactly the same, as opposed to grey like other sun creams. They say that a little goes a long way, so be careful not to press too hard on the nozzle!

It's quite sticky and feels a little heavy, but as soon as you apply the cream on top, your skin no longer feels tacky. This might be something to consider when using the product on impatient kids, as it will add an extra step to the process. Another reviewer, on the other hand, states that the product isn’t sticky and that you're using too much if it leaves a white coating. They also point out that it doesn't sting near the sensitive eye area either, which makes this great for kiddies.

For anyone with fussy kids who hate having sun cream applied (isn't this all kids?), a once-a-day sunscreen like this one is a good choice. Riemann P20 Suncare For Kids 50+ has a four-star UVA protection and factor 50 SPF and protects your child for up to 10 hours. This makes it a good option for school-aged children, too, as they won't have to remember to reapply it themselves throughout the day. Bear in mind on swim days; it will only last three hours in the water, though.

It is a gentle cream that's fragrance-free and is specially developed for children's sun-sensitive skin, but it has more of an oily texture than most of the creams on this list. Our mum tester, Salina, describes it as a really lovely cream that makes application quick and easy with its handy pump. She assures us that there are no horrid smells and that she didn't find it to be tacky or sticky like some sun creams. Mum tester Alexia also says the cream soaks and rubs into the child’s skin easily, and mum Natasha agrees that the texture and smell are nicer than the average sun cream. She also appreciates the lack of white marks when applying and the fact that it spreads easily.

All of our mum testers agree the product is a bit on the expensive side, which they found to be off-putting initially. However, Salina says that though it’s quite pricey compared with a lot of creams, it does seem to last due to the good coverage and only needs one application. One thing to watch out for is that the cream can stain, leaving yellowish marks on your kids' clothes, so avoid dressing your little one in white clothing after applying it.

Read our full P20 SPF50+ Suncare for Kids review

Trusted by many, this Nivea sun protection for kids comes in a handy travel size with an easy roll-on application. The formula claims to be extra water-resistant, absorbing quickly and providing long-lasting moisture while supporting the skin's protective barrier to reduce the risk of sun allergies.
Tim Ferid, our dad tester and SEO Executive at Mother and Baby, enjoyed the "nice fresh scent" and the application of the product on his little one. He described it as super easy to use: "Literally just roll product on and rub in. Works well when trying to apply to a wriggly baby." He says it was smooth and moisturising on the skin and that it absorbed well once rubbed in; however, he did experience slight tackiness on the skin.

Tim says it's not the cheapest on the market, as you only get a small amount; however, for a baby, you do not need much. Tim points out that it may not be the best value for money if you have a bigger child, especially if they need to reapply regularly, like if your child is playing in the water. The product is advertised to be extra water resistant, but Tim says you can never be too careful with little ones!

Tim notes that the product isn't meant to be used for children under three, and there is advice about avoiding suncream under the age of 6 months due to skin allergies. It was Tim's first time having a young 4.5-month-old baby in the summer months, and they said, "Keeping him protected from the sun is a priority and required when wanting to be out and about." Tim also liked how small and compact the bottle is – easy to pop in a change bag!

Read our full NIVEA SUN Kids Protect & Care Roll-On 50+ review

If you and your little one struggle when it comes time to apply sun cream, you'll be happy to know that this one, the Soltan Once 8hr Kids Play Spray SPF50+, is a quick-drying sun care product that will keep the mess at bay. It also has a great ergonomic-shaped bottle for easy handling when applied to tenacious toddlers, and can help older kids hold the bottle without it slipping when they're applying the product themselves.

It's water-resistant, offers up to eight hours of sun protection from just one application and is specially formulated for your child's delicate skin. One reviewer says they've been using the sun cream for three years and won't use any others now. They describe their kids as very fair and say the product lasts all day at school for them. Another parent says their very pale son didn’t burn at all either, but warns that the spray was hard to pump single-handed. However, it applied nicely, rubbing in well, and didn’t feel greasy. As with many sun creams, be careful when applying as this formula can stain white clothing. One parent advises you to buy it early because it sells out fast and is very hard to get when summer starts.

We love this little Aveeno Sun Natural Protection Baby SPF 50 Face Stick. The travel size is ideal for popping in your nappy bag, so you always have protection at hand to top up your baby's delicate little face when you're on the go, and the sun is out. With naturally sourced ingredients like Oats and zinc oxide, it's nice and soothing, specially formulated for your baby's sensitive skin.

It's definitely not an all-day product, though, so you'll have to remember to reapply after 80 minutes of swimming or sweating, immediately after towel drying, and at least every two hours. The point of the product is to have something easy to use at hand when you need it.

Parents seem to love it for this. One mum says she loved using it on her baby on holiday, and that it wasn't sticky and soaked into the skin almost instantly. She also says it was easy to use and compact, so perfect for travelling. Another mum says it was so easy to apply to her son's face, and also great for under her own eyes as it doesn’t sting! One reviewer noticed it did leave a slight white mask, and said it wasn't as easy to apply as you’d think. But she appreciated the travel size anyway and said it was great for storing in a small purse. Another reviewer wanted to make it clear that the stick is about the size of an adult lip salve, in case you're expecting something bigger.

Okay, so we know this isn't technically a sunscreen. However, it has made our list because it makes applying sunscreen so much easier, plus, it's super fun for kids! You may recognise it as the award-winning, child-friendly sunscreen applicator featured on Dragons' Den. The empty sun cream applicator can be filled with your favourite sun cream. Our Mother and Baby Product Writer, Hannah James, has tried the sunscreen applicator herself and highly recommends it, saying her five-year-old loves using it independently and that, due to the design, there is no waste. "If your child doesn't like having sun cream applied, this is a game-changer," she says, "It makes applying sun cream much easier."

We love that it's travel-sized, holding 100ml, making it perfect for holiday hand luggage or popping in a bag for summer day trips. It also has an anti-bacterial coating and space so that the applicator can be clearly labelled with your child's name, which makes it a brilliant product to send to nursery or school. One reviewer says it spreads the right amount on your skin so you don't end up with a super thick layer. Another reviewer says the best part for everyone is that your hands are still clean after using it, which is perfect for kids using it independently. Users say give it a little shake before use, then the cream can be applied really quickly. There's no need to replace the full unit either, replace the sponge applicator heads and recycle the old one! And if you do need to dispose of the whole thing, all parts are recyclable.