When can an infant wear sunscreen?

Parents often ask when it is safe to start putting sunscreen on a baby. The FDA, the American Academy of Dermatology (AAD), the CDC and the NHS all give the same starting age: 6 months. Before that, the advice is to keep babies out of direct sun and to ask a doctor before using any sunscreen. This guide sets out what each source says, why young babies are treated differently, and how to protect a baby at each stage. Skinli is an education site and not a doctor, so for any question about your own baby, ask your pediatrician. This guide is part of Skinli's guide on how to choose a sunscreen for your face.

The rule: 6 months

Here is what each health body says, in its own words:

Source	What it says about babies under 6 months
FDA	"Sunscreen is not recommended for infants under six months old." "Ask a doctor before applying sunscreen to children under six months of age."
U.S. sunscreen label rules	Every label must say "children under 6 months of age: Ask a doctor"
AAD	"If possible, sunscreen use should be avoided in babies younger than 6 months."
CDC	"Sunscreen is not recommended for babies who are 6 months old or younger."
NHS	Sunscreen "is not recommended for babies under 6 months"

From 6 months, the FDA recommends "using sunscreen as directed on the Drug Facts label."

Why young babies are different

The FDA gives the reason: "infants are at greater risk than adults of sunscreen side effects, such as a rash." It also says the best protection for young infants "is to keep them out of the sun entirely."

Young babies face a second risk in hot weather. The FDA says younger babies "don't sweat like adults do," so they can overheat easily and have a greater risk of dehydration. That is why the advice for young babies focuses on shade, light clothing and fluids.

Protecting a baby under 6 months

The FDA and the AAD give practical steps:

1. Stay in the shade. Use natural shade such as a tree, or make your own with a beach umbrella, a pop-up tent or a stroller canopy.
2. Avoid the strongest sun. The FDA says to keep babies out of the sun between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m., when ultraviolet rays are most intense. The NHS gives 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. for the UK.
3. Dress them lightly and fully. The FDA suggests lightweight long pants and long-sleeved shirts. It says tight weaves are better than loose ones, and that if you can see through the fabric when you hold it against your hand, it probably does not give enough protection.
4. Use a hat with a brim. The FDA says the brim should shade the neck. It says baseball caps do not shade the neck or ears, which are sensitive areas for a baby.
5. Give fluids. The FDA says to give formula or breast milk if you are out in the sun for more than a few minutes.
6. Do not cover the stroller with a blanket. The NHS says this "could lead to overheating." Attach a parasol or sunshade instead, and check the baby often.

If shade is not possible

The AAD gives one exception for babies under 6 months. It says that "if shade and adequate clothing are not available, parents and caretakers may apply a minimal amount of sunscreen, preferably a physical sunscreen, to their child's skin." A physical sunscreen is a mineral one, made with zinc oxide or titanium dioxide. The AAD says it should be broad spectrum, water resistant and SPF 30 or higher, and that it "should be washed off your baby's skin once indoors."

Because the FDA and the label both say to ask a doctor first, talk to your pediatrician before you rely on this.

From 6 months: choosing and using sunscreen

From 6 months, sunscreen joins shade and clothing. The AAD says parents "may apply a broad-spectrum, water-resistant sunscreen with an SPF of 30 or higher to all skin not covered by clothing, according to the instructions on the product label."

The AAD adds that sunscreens with zinc oxide or titanium dioxide, "or special sunscreens made for infants or toddlers, may cause less irritation to their sensitive skin." Its label guide says, "Children 6 months of age and older: Use a sunscreen that contains titanium dioxide or zinc oxide. These ingredients are less likely to irritate the sensitive skin of infants and toddlers."

The NHS asks for at least SPF 30 with protection against both UVA and UVB rays. It says to use plenty of sunscreen, apply it every 2 hours, and reapply immediately after swimming or sweating.

Even with sunscreen, the AAD says to keep children in the shade and dress them in long-sleeved shirts, pants and wide-brimmed hats.

How to apply it to a child

The label rules and the FDA's advice for any sunscreen apply to children too:

• Apply before going out. Every U.S. label says to apply 15 minutes before sun exposure. The AAD says to apply sunscreen to dry skin.
• Use enough. The FDA says an average-sized adult or child needs at least one ounce of sunscreen to cover the body from head to toe.
• Cover the spots people forget. The FDA lists ears, nose, lips, the back of the neck, hands, the tops of the feet and along the hairline.
• Keep it out of the eyes. Every U.S. sunscreen must say to keep it out of the eyes and to rinse with water if it gets in.
• Stop if a rash appears. Every label says to stop use and ask a doctor if a rash occurs.

What "baby" on a label means

The AAD says the FDA "has not defined the term 'baby' for sunscreen." In general, the word means the product contains only titanium dioxide, zinc oxide, or both. To be sure, read the Active Ingredients list in the Drug Facts box. Our guide to mineral vs chemical sunscreen explains the two ingredient groups.

Spray sunscreens and children

The AAD says parents sometimes prefer sprays because they are easy to apply to a child. It says the challenge is knowing whether you used enough, and gives three tips: spray until the skin glistens, then rub it in; do not spray near heat or an open flame; and never spray near the face or mouth or into the wind. The FDA says spray sunscreens "should never be applied directly to your face."

Signs of sunburn and overheating

The FDA lists warning signs of sunburn or dehydration in babies: "fussiness, redness, and excessive crying." The AAD says signs of sunburn include "redness in lighter skin tones or darker areas of skin in darker skin tones."

If your baby is getting sunburned, the FDA says to "get out of the sun right away and apply cold compresses to the affected areas. Call your baby's pediatrician right away."

The NHS also warns about heat exhaustion and heatstroke in babies and young children during hot weather. Keep babies cool, offer fluids, and never leave a child in a parked car.

Why children's skin needs extra care

The NHS says babies' and children's skin "is much more sensitive than adult skin, and damage caused by repeated exposure to sunlight could lead to skin cancer developing in later life." The NHS also says that, to make sure they get enough vitamin D, all children under 5 are advised to take vitamin D supplements. Ask your baby's doctor about the right amount. Our guide on whether sunscreen blocks vitamin D has more detail.

Toddlers and older children

The rules for toddlers are the same as for babies over 6 months: shade, clothing, a hat, sunglasses with UV protection, and sunscreen on the skin that is still uncovered. The FDA says children should wear sunglasses that show their UV protection level, because toy sunglasses may not have UV protection.

Our guide on how often to reapply sunscreen covers reapplying for children as well as adults.

New sunscreen ingredients and children

In June 2026, the FDA added a new sunscreen ingredient, bemotrizinol, which it considers safe and effective for adults and children 6 months and older. The FDA also says that people concerned about using sunscreen on infants or children should consult their health care professional.

For your own skin, especially if you have acne-prone skin, our guide on sunscreen for acne-prone skin covers what to look for.