Is there a difference between kid and adult sunscreen? Experts weigh in

NBC Select independently determines what we cover and recommend. When you click on or buy through our links, we earn a commission. Learn more.HealthCan you use adult sunscreen on kids? Dermatologists weigh inThe short answer is yes, but here’s what you need to know before you reach for the bottle.July 8, 2026, 4:55 PM EDTBethany HeitmanContributing EditorSkip to table of contentsExperts recommend opting for mineral sunscreens for kids, as chemical formulas can irritate skin.In this articleIs there a difference between kid and adult sunscreen?Do kids need a higher SPF than adults?Expert-recommended sunscreens for kidsWhat to look for in sunscreen for kidsFrequently asked questionsMeet our expertsWhy trust NBC Select?See 4 MoreWe don’t always have the answers, but we have some people on speed dial who do — which is why we present to you our series FYI where we have experts explain if lip balm is actually bad, how often you should wash your hair and more.Every summer, my beach bag holds two sunscreen bottles: one labeled “kids” and another for my husband and me. When shopping, I’ve always added both to my cart without asking why. Is my son’s skin really so different from mine that it needs its own formula, or is the idea of sunscreen for kids mostly clever packaging? With sunburns and skin cancer risk on the line, I wanted a real answer. So I asked dermatologists whether kid sunscreen and adult sunscreens are actually different, or if one bottle could cover the whole family.Is there a difference between kid and adult sunscreen? The biggest difference between sunscreen for adults and kids comes down to the type of active ingredients used to protect the skin from the sun. “Sunscreens for adults frequently rely on chemical filters like avobenzone and oxybenzone, which also help to give the formula a sheer finish,” says Dr. Neha Chandan, double board-certified dermatologist, Mohs surgeon and founder of Prime Dermatology. “Kids’ and babies’ formulas almost exclusively use m...