Top 20 Sunscreen Picks of 2012

Summer means slathering it on! But which sunscreen to choose? The Environmental Working Group—a nonprofit that conducts research on health and the environment—has released its annual list of approved sunscreens. From that list, mom.me selected the best 20 for babies and kids (as well as for mom and dad), to protect you against harmful UV rays. We chose these 20 because they contain zinc oxide, a natural, broad-spectrum ingredient that protects against UV rays and sits on top of the skin rather than being absorbed into it. We also left out sunscreens that include oxybenzone, which, according to the EWG, can disrupt hormones, and vitamin A, which can increase the development of skin tumors and lesions.

Made with 100 percent natural and organic ingredients, this gentle but effective sunscreen offers broad UVA and UVB protection for babies and adults. Not only that, but it’s water-resistant, too.

To buy: Adorable Baby, $22

Not just for the sizzling summer months, California Baby’s year-round sunscreen can be used even when baby—or mom—is out and about. The non-chemical PABA-free sunscreen also works as a cover-up base under mom’s foundation or powder.

To buy: California Baby, $20

Get some added moisture with this baby-friendly sunscreen. Badger Baby Sunscreen boasts sun protection coupled with skin-softening ingredients such as extra virgin olive oil, jojoba and cocoa butter. Great for the whole family, Badger Baby will have everyone leaving behind a lovely scent of chamomile and calendula.

To buy: Badger, $16

Best for baby, but great for mom or dad, too, Seventh Generation’s Wee Generation sunscreen sports non-absorbing mineral sun filters, so all of that protection stays on top of the skin rather than moving into it. It’s great for keeping baby’s skin irritant-free.

To buy: Seventh Generation, $14

Safe for children 6 months and over, this chemical-free sunscreen is formulated to reflect harmful UV rays. The lotion is also made sans water, so no bacteria can form in the sunscreen itself.

To buy: Coola, $34

Don’t just dab those rosy cheeks. This sunscreen stick can be used for the face as well as body. Tested by pediatricians, this handbag-friendly addition protects Baby’s skin with both titanium dioxide and zinc oxide, without that greasy feel.

To buy: Burt’s Bees, $10

This all-natural Aussie sunscreen is great for UV protection as well as for the environment. Its non-whitening zinc oxide assures wearers that they won’t look like Casper the Friendly Ghost when they hit the pool, and the biodegradable bottle is an eco-friendly plus.

To buy: Eco, $17

Recommended by pediatricians and dermatologists, this nontoxic and chemical-free sunscreen is also made with 95 percent certified organic ingredients. Add in aloe vera and vitamin E, and your baby will have soft skin with every application.

To buy: Goddess Garden, $18

No more tears isn’t just for baby shampoo. Johnson’s sunscreen for little ones provides a gentle formula that includes broad-spectrum titanium dioxide and zinc oxide mixed with ingredients such as sunflower seed oil. This lotion protects just as well during peak hours as it does during baby’s morning spin in the stroller.

To buy: Johnson's, $10

Perfect for getting past airport security without a fuss, Suntegrity’s baby sunscreen comes in a TSA-friendly size and works just as well for babies, kids and adults. Free of chemicals and harsh scents and dyes, this natural mineral sunscreen is nothing to sneeze at.

To buy: Suntegrity Skincare, $24

Perfect for pregnant moms, for babies and beyond, this paraben- and paba-free sunscreen with zinc oxide absorbs quickly, and falls into the FDA's highest category for water resistance, so you can be a beach bum even longer.

Bonus: Proceeds from each sunscreen purchases are donated to LIVESTRONG's fight against cancer.

To buy: Thinkbaby, $16

All-natural and unscented, this 100 percent mineral-based sunscreen is ideal for babies and those with skin allergies. The cruelty-free formula—made with organic aloe vera, coconut oil and zinc oxide—is not waterproof, but we love it because it goes on clear.

To buy: True Nature, $20

Non-whitening and water resistant, this sunscreen stick is perfect for your purse or diaper bag, or for those days you don't feel like lugging around a giant bottle of white guck. Formulated with zinc oxide (which is found in most diaper creams), it offers sun protection without skin absorption, which gets an A+ in our book.

To buy: Star Naturals, $13

Soothing ingredients such as green tea extract and macadamia seed oil combine with zinc oxide to provide hydrating sun protection for you and your baby's delicate skin. The formula is water-resistant for two hours, and should be used even when it's overcast (you can get burned then, too!)

To buy: UV Natural, $18

This all-natural broad-spectrum sunscreen is not only safe for your kids, it's safe for the oceans they'll be playing in, too. With organic ingredients like pomegranate juice and jojoba oil, this mineral-based zinc oxide sunscreen is perfect for year-round protection without hurting the environment. That's a double score.

To buy: TruKid, $16

We like to think of the Sweetsation line more like skincare that happens to have sunscreen in it. Formulated for babies but perfect for adults, the zinc oxide sunscreen is water-resistant (yet hydrating), and filled with ingredients like blueberry, goji berries and acai—all of which act as powerful antioxidants that help fight free radicals. Being in the sun has never smelled so good!

To buy: Sweetsation, $22

For adults and babies with sensitive skin, this non-comedogenic and non-drying sunscreen is the perfect find. Free of fragrances, allergens, dyes, parabens and preservatives, you can concentrate more on building that sand castle than what's in your sunscreen.

To buy: VMV Hypoallergenics, $55

With 100 percent naturally-sourced ingredients such as colloidal oatmeal, zinc oxide and titanium dioxide, Aveeno's sunscreen is fragrance-free, oil-free and waterproof. It's also most likely readily available in your local drugstore, which is perfect for those times you forget the sunscreen.

To buy: Aveeno, $12

Make sunscreen application fun with this brightly-colored all-natural sunscreen. While the pink color fades as soon as you rub it in, the UVA/UVB protection stays strong with titanium dioxide and zinc oxide. Formulated without parabens, you might have actually found a sunscreen your kids enjoy putting on (and that you know is good for them).

To buy: Baby UV/Kids UV, $22

Extracts of papaya, plankton and plantain enrich this chemical-free, hypoallergenic sunscreen that's perfect for babies and big kids. Biodegradable and ocean-safe, this zinc-oxide based formula is water-resistant, so it won't run into those precious peepers.

To buy: BurnOut Kids, $18