Reviewed November 11, 2026

Sunscreen for Babies Under 6 Months: Shade, Not Sunscreen

Babies under six months should not wear sunscreen, and the reason is not that sunscreen is dangerous. It is that a baby's skin is thinner, more permeable, and less equipped to block environmental substances, so irritation and absorption are more likely, and the FDA has not approved sunscreen products for babies under six months. The FDA and the American Academy of Pediatrics recommend keeping newborns and babies younger than six months out of direct sunlight, especially between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m., when UV is strongest. The protection is shade, lightweight long-sleeved clothing, a brimmed hat that shades the neck and ears, and a stroller canopy. If sun exposure is truly unavoidable, a small amount of sunscreen on small exposed areas, the face and the backs of the hands, is safer than a burn. After six months, use a broad-spectrum mineral sunscreen with SPF 30 or higher.

Why six months is the line

A newborn's skin barrier, the stratum corneum, is still developing. It is thinner, more permeable, and less equipped to block environmental substances, and a study in Pharmaceutics found that infant skin continues maturing throughout the first year, with key improvements in barrier function around the six-month mark. Babies younger than six months may develop rashes or irritation from sunscreen, and their skin absorbs a portion of what is applied. A study in JAMA showed that even in adults, common sunscreen ingredients like oxybenzone and avobenzone can be detected in the blood at levels exceeding FDA thresholds after a single use. Given those uncertainties, health agencies recommend physical sun protection methods, like clothing and shade, until the baby's skin barrier is more mature. The FDA has not approved sunscreen products for babies under six months, which is why the guidance is not a preference. It is a regulatory position, and the pediatric guidance follows it.

What to do instead of sunscreen

The FDA and the American Academy of Pediatrics recommend keeping newborns and babies younger than six months out of direct sunlight, and it is especially important between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m., when the sun is at its strongest and ultraviolet rays are most intense. The protection is physical, and it has four parts. Shade first: keep the baby under natural shade, under a tree, under an umbrella, or under a stroller canopy. Clothing second: lightweight, long-sleeved shirts and long pants, made of tightly woven fabric, which blocks more UV than loose weaves. Look for clothing labeled with an Ultraviolet Protection Factor of 30 or higher, and rash guard shirts with SPF can be helpful. A hat third: a hat with a brim that shades the neck and ears, not a baseball cap, which does not shade the neck or ears, both of which are sensitive areas for a baby. And timing fourth: stay indoors when the sun is strongest, and plan outings for the morning or late afternoon. The CDC recommends the same layered routine: shade, protective clothing, and hats.

The exception, and what changes at six months

Avoid sunscreen does not mean do nothing if you are caught outside. If staying out of the sun is unavoidable, using a bit of mineral sunscreen on exposed areas is not only okay, it is recommended: if you truly cannot avoid the sun, it is safer to use a small amount of sunscreen on exposed areas rather than risk a burn. Use a small amount on small exposed areas, the face and the backs of the hands, and check with your pediatrician first. After six months, the rule changes. Choose a broad-spectrum mineral sunscreen with SPF 30 or higher, using zinc oxide or titanium dioxide, which have proven safety profiles and minimal skin absorption. The FDA has classified both as GRASE, Generally Recognized As Safe and Effective, for use in sunscreens, especially for children. Apply it 30 minutes before going outside, reapply every two hours, and test a small amount on your child's back first if you are worried about a reaction. And keep using shade and clothing alongside it, because sunscreen is one layer of protection, not the whole plan, and a baby's skin is still sensitive after six months.

Frequently asked questions

When can babies start wearing sunscreen?

Most babies can start wearing sunscreen once they are about six months old. Before that, the FDA and the American Academy of Pediatrics recommend keeping them out of direct sunlight and using shade, lightweight clothing, hats, and a stroller canopy instead. After six months, choose a broad-spectrum mineral sunscreen with SPF 30 or higher, and test a small amount on your child's back first if you are worried about a reaction.

Why is sunscreen not recommended under six months?

Because a newborn's skin barrier is still developing. It is thinner, more permeable, and less equipped to block environmental substances, and a study in Pharmaceutics found that infant skin continues maturing throughout the first year, with key improvements in barrier function around the six-month mark. Babies younger than six months may develop rashes or irritation, and their skin absorbs a portion of what is applied. The FDA has not approved sunscreen products for babies under six months, which is why the guidance is shade and clothing first.

What if I cannot keep my baby out of the sun?

Use a small amount of sunscreen on small exposed areas, such as the face and the backs of the hands. The FDA and the AAP both say this is the exception, not the rule: if clothing and shade are not available, a small amount on limited skin is safer than a burn. Check with your pediatrician before applying sunscreen to a child younger than six months, and use a mineral formula, zinc oxide or titanium dioxide, rather than a chemical one.

What sunscreen should I use after six months?

A broad-spectrum mineral sunscreen with SPF 30 or higher, using zinc oxide or titanium dioxide as the active ingredients. The FDA has classified zinc oxide and titanium dioxide as GRASE, Generally Recognized As Safe and Effective, for use in sunscreens, especially for children. Apply it 30 minutes before going outside, reapply every two hours, and keep using shade and clothing alongside it, because sunscreen is one layer of protection, not the whole plan.