When you’re expecting, you have a lot of things to think about, from shopping for maternity clothes and creating a birth plan to stocking up on baby essentials and deciding on your baby’s name. Choosing a pregnancy-safe sunscreen shouldn’t have to be one of the many things on your mind! So today we are breaking down everything expectant moms should know about choosing a safe sunscreen that will be healthy for both you and your baby.
Last week in our series on pregnancy-safe beauty products, we talked about pregnancy-safe skincare ingredients, along with dermatologist-recommended products to help you out. We’ve also shared about skincare ingredients to avoid during pregnancy. We hope that you’ve found this info helpful!
Dr. Lisa Zhang, a dermatologist at DermSurgery Associates in Houston, shares that you don’t necessarily need to use more sunscreen, but you do need to reapply it because of the increased risk of developing melasma. Melasma is a skin-discoloring condition caused by pregnancy hormones.
Pregnant women should apply sunscreen daily in the morning with their normal moisturizer. If you’re going to be outside for long periods, plan to reapply sunscreen every two hours. That might mean setting a timer on your phone that goes off every two hours, especially if you’re planning things like an all-day hike or a long day at the beach.
Pregnancy-Safe Sunscreens
Dr. Zhang recommends pregnant women use mineral sunscreens (also known as “physical sunscreens”) over chemical sunscreens. Ingredients in mineral sunscreens like zinc oxide or titanium dioxide provide a better shield against the sun. Mineral sunscreens have minerals which sit on top of your skin, reflecting away damaging UV rays.
Chemicals like oxybenzone, which are found in chemical sunscreens, absorb into the skin and create a chemical reaction that absorbs UV rays, preventing them from penetrating your skin. Research has shown that chemicals like oxybenzone have hormone-disrupting qualities, irritate sensitive skin, and cause photosensitization.
Oxybenzone can be harmful to your growing baby, so you’ll want to watch out for oxybenzone in the ingredients list of sunscreens. Finally, it’s best to use a sunscreen with an SPF of at least 30 and broad-spectrum UVA and UVB protection. Here are the best sunscreens for pregnant women, along with links to learn more!
La Roche Posay Anthelios Sunscreen SPF 60
This mineral option from La Roche Posay has an ultra-light texture that quickly absorbs into the skin. It has a slightly higher SPF of 60 and contains a plan extract called senna alata, which is an antioxidant that helps to protect your skin from free radicals. https://amzn.to/3zdeIbI
Earth Mama Lady Face Tinted Mineral Sunscreen Stick SPF 40
This facial sunscreen comes in stick form, making it super-easy to apply. Get blendable, sheer coverage in a light/medium tint. Earth Mama’s sunscreen stick provides both UVA and UVB protection and non-nano zinc with no white residue. Plus, it’s been dermatologist-tested and clinically tested for irritation!
Isdin Eryfotona Actinica Ultralight Emulsion Sunscreen SPF 50+
Isdin Eryfotona’s sunscreen contains enzymes that help repair any existing sun damage. With a serum-like consistency, this sunscreen goes on sheer, so it’s darker skin-tone friendly.
EltaMD UV Pure Broad-Spectrum SPF 47
This brand is widely beloved by dermatologists, so you can believe the hype! EltaMD’s mineral-based formula is fragrance-free, oil-free, paraben-free, sensitivity-free, dye-free, non-comedogenic & water-resistant, while still protecting you against the sun’s UVA and UVB rays.
Babo Botanicals Zinc Sunscreen Lotion SPF 30, Clear
A fast-absorbing, non-whitening & lightweight sunblock formulated for very sensitive skin, Babo Botanicals’ sunscreen is also water resistant and perfect for babies. Specially formulated with skin-soothing organic oils like sunflower, it’s free of Oxybenzone and Octinoxate.
Isdin Isdinceutics Mineral Brush
Perfect for re-applying sunscreen throughout the day without ruining your makeup, this powdered sunscreen is applied with a makeup brush. The product goes on like a clear powder that leaves you less shiny and oily feeling. It’s formulated with zinc oxide and titanium dioxide for sun protection.
Thinkbaby Sunscreen Natural Sunblock, SPF 50+
This Thinksport sunscreen provides effective SPF 50+ sun protection for children and adults alike. The broad-spectrum UVA & UVB sunblock offers gentle defense against the sun’s rays. Quick and easy to apply, the fast-absorbing lotion won’t leave skin feeling oily or sticky and has no unpleasant chemical scent.
Badger SPF 35 Clear Zinc Sport Natural Mineral Sunscreen
This broad-spectrum mineral sunscreen has just five simple ingredients: clear zinc oxide, organic sunflower oil, organic beeswax, organic jojoba oil, & sunflower vitamin E. Hypoallergenic, non-comedogenic & fragrance-free this, all-natural sports sunscreen is perfect for sensitive skin. It will blend in clear so that it can be used by pregnant women with most skin tones.
You can rest assured that you are protecting both your skin and your baby with these pregnancy-safe sunscreens. Join us for the next installment of our series on pregnancy-safe beauty products, when we’ll talk about the best shampoos to use during pregnancy!