Yesterday I spent a ton of time outside. I was hauling branches to my backyard from a downed tree, I was helping cut and sort/stack plywood. Heck, I even got stuck outside for an hour because of a gas leak (no worries, everything is fine!). In all that time, I didn't stop to think that I needed sunscreen. Of course, I was wearing a tank top - so the tops of my shoulders got scorched. As you can tell, I'm a pale person - the sun and I are not friends. And yesterday, the sun won again. I doused myself in Dermaplast as soon as I realized what had happened (thanks, postpartum recovery stash!) - but the damage was done. I was only glad that my kiddos had been spared.

In the move, things have goteen tossed around and turned about and flipped upside down. I have no idea where anything is, let alone a specific thing like kid-friendly sunscreen. My kids are both pale, too - so they need as much protection as they can get! Did you know that getting even ONE sun burn increases your risk for skin cancer?

I've found a few of my favorite sunscreens and wanted to share. As a note, my pediatrician recommends sunscreen from six months and up. And of course, having skin coverage (a hat, rash guard, etc.) is a great way to stop the burn - whether or not your little can slather on the 'screen just yet.

Blue Lizard

This is my tried and true favorite sunscreen ever. My super pale ginger-headed brother-in-law swears by this stuff, so I picked up a tube. And boy, am I glad I did! It's paraben and fragrance free, so you can feel good about putting it on sensitive new skin. Because Blue Lizard knows little kids don't sit still for long, they made this baby waterproof for up to 40 minutes! And my favorite part? The bottle turns pink when it's been hit with UV rays! What a cool visual reminder not to let your kiddo turn pink, too!

La Roche-Posay

Another favorite since it is a "free and clear" of sunscreen. No dyes, no parabens, no fragrances. It's a cream - but not heavy, rather lightweight - and it protects against both UVA and UVB. This one is great for the beach or pool. since it stays waterproof for up to 80 minutes - twice as long as my beloved Blue Lizard!

Neutrogena Baby

I have a bottle of this in my travel bag for my kiddos, because it's trusted and very recognizable. Even better, it's easy to find - I've found it anywhere I have found sunscreen (pharmacies, supermarkets, Target/Walmart/big box stores). This was actually the first sunscreen I ever used on Shep because I was worried he might have a bit of eczema, and Neutrogena is eczema-friendly! Again: no dyes, parabens, or fragrances.

Badger Baby

The Badger line is one of my favorites - and not just for sunscreen! Their natural products *really* work - I've used their cuticle cream for years. Certified organic, this is some of the best and most "crunchy-mom-friendly" sunscreen out there. This sunscreen has only six ingredients and zinc oxide - which makes skin a bit white at first - but the simplicity has more than just mom-friendly impacts. It's coral-reef-friendly and cruelty-free!

No matter what sunscreen you choose to use, make sure you slather it on thickly. Ideally a cream or lotion is preferred - sprays can get splotchy coverage even though they're easier to spray on wriggling little kiddos. Best practice is at least 20 minutes before you go outside, and to reapply every few hours at minimum. Always re-apply after swimming or toweling off. May the SPF be with you - not just in the summer, but all year 'round!