When it comes to pregnancy-safe sunscreens, there is one clear takeaway: Stick to mineral (or physical) SPF. Being pregnant for the first time brought with it a slew of Google searches for what I could and couldn’t do. Not to mention, which beauty products I could and couldn’t use. But during those expecting months, it’s best to err on the side of caution.
“Studies have shown that chemical sunscreens can impact developing endocrine systems,” says New York dermatologist Orit Markowitz, MD. “The best safe sunscreens to use while pregnant are often going to be similar to what you would use on your newborn. Brands like Blue Lizard, Badger and other trusted pediatric and pregnancy brands are great. Most mineral sunscreens with zinc oxide, iron oxide or titanium dioxide are going to be safe. They will also provide less irritation, making them great for sensitive skin. They offer lasting protection for mom and soon-to-come baby.”
Something to keep in mind is that some sunscreens are considered hybrids, meaning they combine chemical and mineral UV filters. Be sure to check the ingredient list: UV filters will always be listed under “Active Ingredients” at the top. These are some of our favorite pregnancy-safe, mineral-based formulas to keep in mind for serious sun protection when a baby is on the way.
Sunscreens That Are Considered Safe to Use During Pregnancy
Forget chalky mineral sunscreens of the past. This zinc and titanium dioxide one impresses with its super sheer finish. The proprietary formula employs a micro-dispersion technology, allowing it to rub in invisible all skin tones and feel incredibly lightweight on the skin. It’s also vegan and fragrance-free, and contains skin-care ingredients for extra nourishment. Antioxidant vitamin E and brightening carrot extracts are combined with skin-strengthening sunflower extract and smoothing rock rose extract to rejuvenate skin.
Founded 12 years ago by a new mom on a mission to offer plant-based products with sustainably sourced ingredients, Babo Botanicals is a no-brainer when it comes to effective sunscreen brands for the whole family. This tinted SPF is a super lightweight liquid lotion (yet somehow it packs in 30 plant-based ingredients) that blends in seamlessly without a greasy residue (though there can be a slight white cast, so it may not work on all skin tones). It’s become a personal favorite for those “no makeup but great skin” days.
This product gets its name because founders Emily DiDonato and Christina Garcia made it a “one and done” formula combining sunscreen, moisturizer and antioxidant protection into one step. Glycerin and sustainably produced squalane boost skin’s moisture levels, making it a really comfortable sunscreen to wear, especially if you have dry skin. It’s also fragrance-free and safe for sensitive skin, and it acts a nice primer under makeup.
If you are pregnant, but also have a baby or older children, this family-size sunscreen is ideal. It provides SPF 50 protection using 24-percent non-nano zinc oxide. It’s also fragrance-free and recognized by the National Eczema Association, so it’s a great pick for anyone with sensitive skin. And, if your kids are active in the summertime, the 80-minute water-resistance really helps!
What sets this non-nano zinc oxide sunscreen apart from others is the brand’s exclusive EnviroScreen technology. Not only does it give the formula UVA and UVB protection, but also protection against HEV (blue) light, infrared light, free radicals, and pollution. For those who are working on computers all day or getting a lot of screen time in, or those who live in urban areas, this is a great option for additional skin defense.
Rub this SPF in well and it applies super sheer—it feels like you have nothing on your skin—which is a feat in itself for any 100-percent mineral formula. It also contains rose extract (and has a rose scent) for soothing benefits and jojoba oil, which leaves skin with a dewy glow or a great base for makeup.
For those mamas-to-be who prefer a little hint of color in their face sunscreen (the tint is universal and blends in well), this oil-free formula is a winner. It’s great for oily skin and mature skin types, though anyone can use it. Mineral UV blockers are combined with potent antioxidants linoleic acid, quercetin and thioctic acid to simultaneously reduce free-radical and UV damage.
This is a relatively new brand from the creators of Noodle & Boo, which makes beautiful products for mamas (and mamas-to-be), babies and the home. You can use this vegan lotion on your face and body, and the zinc content is really high at 18 percent. The addition of antioxidant-rich and anti-inflammatory sea kelp give the skin even more protection. It’s also a great option for kids—just make sure they’re older than six months, which is the recommended age to safely begin wearing sunscreen.
A celebrity favorite—Rosie Huntington-Whiteley loves the entire line for herself and her two kids—this lightweight, fragrance-free sunscreen mixes non-nano zinc with plant extracts like wild gooseberry, squalane and bisabolol for sun protection plus moisturizing and calming benefits.
COOLA calls this matte body spray “mineral magic,” and we agree. Good for all skin types and free of fragrance, it’s formulated with 70-percent certified-organic ingredients, including antioxidant-rich plant extracts that put up a fight against skin-aging free radicals as skin is also being protected from the sun.
If you prefer a sunscreen stick, you can’t go wrong with this 100-percent mineral one. It’s not only vegan and safe for sensitive skin, but you can also use it on your lips. We recommend a stick for those who lead an active lifestyle and spend a lot of time in the sun, requiring often reapplication. A stick makes it easy to reapply on your nose, ears, lips, scalp, neck, or anywhere else!
Designed in collaboration with dermatologists keeping sensitive skin in mind, this SPF 50+ is reef-safe (it’s an Australian company) and free of potentially irritating ingredients for even the most fragile complexions (pregnancy can make skin go wild!). Plus, we love the brand’s proprietary Smart Cap Technology, which alerts you when it’s time to put on sunscreen via a color-changing cap that turns blue when harmful UV rays are present.
Recommended by the Skin Cancer Foundation, this tinted sunscreen feels super lightweight on the skin and has a matte finish. All skin types can use it, but it was developed in collaboration with dermatologists to benefit sensitive skin types specifically. We love the addition of the brand’s Cell-Ox Shield technology, which marries antioxidants with the broad-spectrum UV protection. Science shows that antioxidants layered with sunscreen increases the effectiveness of the SPF.
Great for the active mama-to-be, this creamy sunscreen contains just five ingredients, all of which are 98-percent organic and GMO-free, and is water-resistant for 40 minutes (swimming is a great pregnancy-friendly exercise to keep active). It also features vitamin E to keep skin moisturized rather than drying it out, which some SPFs are guilty of.
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