Pregnancy Safe Sunscreen: How to Choose the Right Option

When you’re expecting a child, it can be one of the most magical times of your life. During this time, you still need to stay safe in the sun. The problem is that when pregnant, your skin becomes more sensitive to the sun – meaning that finding a pregnancy safe sunscreen is super important. 

Sunscreens come in many different forms, but many won’t give you the kind of protection you need as your body is working to create a new life. Some might even harm your unborn baby. So, let’s waste no time in explaining things for you. 

What Does Pregnancy Safe Sunscreen Look Like?

In the sunscreen world, there are mineral sunscreens and chemical products, so which one is a pregnancy safe sunscreen? Well, that particular honor goes to mineral sunscreens, which typically use a zinc oxide formula to create a barrier on the surface of the skin. Herein lies the first reason why they’re suitable for pregnant women – they don’t need to be absorbed. 

Chemical sunscreens, on the other hand, do need to enter the skin, which means that some of the chemicals they contain can find their way into the wearer’s bloodstream. That means there’s a chance that this could harm your baby. However low that risk might be, it’s not zero. 

How to Find the Best Mineral Sunscreen

Even within the mineral sunscreen sphere, you’ll find products of varying quality and formulation. So, you need to know how to choose the best one from the many available. Here are a few things to ponder. 

• Look For at Least SPF 30 – Anything lower than this may not provide adequate protection, especially for prolonged sun exposure. 
• Broad Spectrum Coverage – You need protection from all types of UV rays if you want to stay sun-safe. Look for the term ‘broad-spectrum’ because then you’ll know that you’re safe from both UVA and UVB rays. 
• Find the Right Formula – Everyone’s skin is different and the sunscreen you choose needs to accommodate this fact. For instance, if you have dry skin, a hydrating formula with shea butter would be best, whereas, for oily skin, an oil-free non-comedogenic product could be ideal. 

Whichever product you ultimately choose, we’d recommend that you carry out a patch test to ensure there’s no reaction. It’s not very common with mineral sunscreens, but it’s best to be doubly sure. 

Pregnancy Safe Sunscreen – Protecting You & Your Baby

As a parent-to-be, you want to do everything you can to protect your baby and that extends to sun safety. As we’ve covered, you’re best served to choose a mineral sunscreen: one that offers broad-spectrum protection has an SPF of at least 30 and is suited to your particular skin type. 

With so many things to prepare for to ensure you’re ready for your new baby, sunscreen might not seem like a top priority at first. However, by keeping what we’ve spoken about in mind, you can enjoy your pregnancy with confidence, knowing that you’re making the best possible choices for you and your baby.