Reef-Safe Eco-Friendly Sunscreens for Babies and Kids

Young skin is much more fragile than that of adults, so it is no surprise that there are specially-designed sunscreens to take care of younger family members' skin. But most commercially available sunscreens contain a lot of harmful chemicals that not only destroy the delicate coral reefs that make the Cook Islands so special but aren’t great for children either.

In this list of the best reef-safe kids and babies sunscreens for Rarotonga and the Cook Islands, we have selected lotions with the following criteria:

  • Must be suitable for children and babies
  • Must be coral and reef safe
  • Must be significantly better for your skin than the mainstream sunscreens
  • Must be biodegradable.

For more health and safety tips for the family, check out our Cook Islands Safety Tips.

And before we get started, remember to reapply sunscreen on children every two hours and as soon as they are dry after swimming.

This article is based on real on-the-ground research, not on AI scraping old content from the internet. Learn how we use AI!

1.Raw Elements Baby + Kids Sunscreen

5 Best Kids & Babies Sunscreens for Rarotonga & the Cook Islands
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Offering kids' reef-safe sunscreen in a tin, Raw Elements has effective broad-spectrum SPF 30 sunscreen that's water-resistant for up to 80 minutes. The hypoallergenic formula is suitable for the most sensitive of skin and is designed to never sting the eyes - we even use it ourselves!

The packaging also makes this kids' and babies' sunscreen kinder to the environment, with the option of a reusable/recyclable tin or a fully recyclable and compostable tube.

Check Raw Elements out on Amazon.

2.All Good Kids Sunscreen

5 Best Kids & Babies Sunscreens for Rarotonga & the Cook Islands
© Amazon

It’s in the name! All is good with this sunscreen. Reef-safe, water-resistant for up to 80 minutes, non-greasy and coming in a normal sunscreen lotion form and a very convenient butter stick, this is one of the easiest sunscreens to use on the go.

The butter stick, in particular, is super easy to keep in your go-bag and offers SPF 50+ protection. All Good also makes adult sunscreen, so make sure to check out our article on the 10 Best (& Reef-Safe) Sunscreens for Cook Islands for the rest of their selection.

More on the All Good Kid’s Sunscreen can be found on Amazon.

3.Australian Gold Botanical Sunscreen

5 Best Kids & Babies Sunscreens for Rarotonga & the Cook Islands
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This titanium dioxide and zinc oxide non-chemical sunscreen is oxybenzone-free, paraben-free, phthalate-free, PABA-free, petrolatum-free, SLS (sulfate)-free, dye-free and oil-free. The child-friendly version of Australian Gold’s botanical sunscreen is specially designed for younger sensitive skin.

Providing SPF 30 protection, Australian Gold‘s sunscreen is also water-resistant for 80 minutes.

Read more on the Australian Gold on Amazon.

4.Beauty By Earth Sunscreen

5 Best Kids & Babies Sunscreens for Rarotonga & the Cook Islands
© Amazon

The best asset of this sunscreen? It is non-greasy. The lesser good? It only provides SPF 25 protection. Nevertheless, it is reef-safe, biodegradable and water-resistant.

Plus, it is one of the easiest to use on hyperactive kids as it sets almost instantly after application, so they can get back to being kids in no time! Keep this one in mind if “sunscreen time” is a chore with your tribe.

You’ll also see this sunscreen listed in The Best Sunscreens for Cook Islands.

More information on Beauty By Earth sunscreen is on Amazon.

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5.Blue Lizard Australian Sunscreen

5 Best Kids & Babies Sunscreens for Rarotonga & the Cook Islands
© Amazon

Another one hailing from the nearby region of Australia, Blue Lizard is particularly fantastic for those with sensitive skin, including kids and babies. There's no messing around with all of their sunscreen range coming in SPF 50+.

Of course, the mineral-based sunscreen contains no oxybenzone or octinoxate, while the water-resistant yet paraben- and fragrance-free formula makes it ideal for sensitive skin.

What's more, bottles are made with "Smart Bottle Technology" meaning that they will change colour when left exposed to harmful UV rays; just in case you need an indicator of when to apply.

Check out Blue Lizard Sunscreen on Amazon!

More About Kids and Babies Sunscreens for Rarotonga and the Cook Islands

That's it for the best kids and babies sunscreens for Rarotonga and the Cook Islands but by no means the end of our sustainability and kids' holiday advice! Check out more tips here:

Finally, get more eco-tips in the 31 Ways to Travel More Sustainably in the Cook Islands and family vacation tips in the 30 Tips for Your Family Cook Islands Vacation with Kids.