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Even though my kids are past the wiggly toddler stage, putting on sunscreen—especially to their face and necks—remains a challenge if I’m not smart about what type of sunscreen I use. When they were little, I used to slather it on when they were strapped in their carseats (a parenting hack I swear by). But, that ship has sailed, along with naps and middle-of-the-night feeds.
I’ve since swapped gooey bottles and aerosol sprays (the latter which will inevitably get in their eyes) for something far superior: the handy sunscreen stick. We live in a place that’s sunny almost year-round, and while the extra vitamin D is good for the soul and mood (it even supports bone health and plays a role in muscles and immunity), I’m forced to take sun protection seriously.
Sunscreen sticks now live in every purse, backpack, and glove compartment. But, not just any sunscreen stick will do. Over the last few years, I’ve tried dozens. Some left behind a white cast that my kids found hilarious (“Look mom, I’m a ghost!), while others smelled so horrible that my sensory-sensitive kid would run at first whiff. But after a whole lot of trial and error, I’ve landed on four favorites that we keep coming back to. Each is SPF50, kid-approved and worthy of a permanent spot in our sun-safety lineup.
Are Sunscreen Sticks Effective?
The answer is a resounding yes. Sunscreen sticks are just as effective as liquid sunscreen, though you’ll want to follow proper protocol to ensure its efficacy. According to John Hopkins Medicine, you’ll want to reapply every two hours, especially after swimming or sweating. And, to complement your sunscreen, be sure to wear hats, clothing with UPF and sunglasses to enhance sun protection.
Best Sunscreen Sticks
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After recently discovering PLAY Everyday Sunscreen Stick, it’s quickly become my holy grail of sunscreens. The stick is designed in a teardrop shape (think: almost like a deodorant stick) allowing for easy application. What’s more: this sunscreen smoothly glides onto skin and goes on totally non-greasy and translucent. So much so that the first time I used this, I had to rub my son’s skin to double check it actually applied effectively since it was totally clear. Plus, it’s formulated with nourishing, antioxidant-rich ingredients like Sunflower oil and Vitamin E, eucalyptus, and more. And, while it’s more expensive than the others I typically rely on, I find myself continually reaching for it, all without any complaints from my two boys.
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When every mom at the pool is using the same type of sunscreen stick, it’s a strong sign you should probably have one, too. That’s exactly what happened during a recent pool day. Luckily, those moms were happy to give me the scoop on their fave stick, and once we tried it, I never looked back. Sun Bum’s sunscreen stick is clear, water resistant and you can even apply it to wet skin (just make sure it absorbs completely before heading back into the water). Because it goes on clear, I always double check my kids’ faces after applying because there’s nothing that ruins a day more than a preventable sunburn.
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Cerave products cleared up my horrible postpartum acne and are a salve to my son’s eczema-prone skin, so it’s no surprise that their mineral sunscreen stick is just as effective. I especially love that the sunscreen is fragrance-free, oil-free and ideal for sensitive skin types. The 100% mineral formula does have a slight white cast, which means you’ll need to rub it in post-application.
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Neutrogena mineral sunscreen stick is a sleeper hit. To be honest, I bought it on a whim when we were on a road trip and I needed a solution fast before we hit the playground. Turns out, my boys loved this option, and I quickly became a convert, too. I like that the applicator is a bit wider than your standard sunscreen stick, making application on little faces easy. It offers broad spectrum UVA/UVB protection and is free of fragrance, oil, dye and parabens. Because it’s a mineral sunscreen, I do need to rub it in a bit to ensure there’s no leftover white cast.
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