Hello, sunshine! As much as we all love summertime sunshine, the sun doesn’t necessarily love us back. Remembering to apply (and reapply) sunscreen is a big ask for adults and children alike. Nobody loves the slippery, gooey mess that comes as a result of applying sunscreen to a wiggly kid. But, that’s where sunscreen sticks come in to save the day.

The best sunscreen sticks are easy to apply and they protect against the sun’s harmful rays. They’re compact which makes them great for throwing in your beach bag and heading out for the day. Plus, the stick form means your child can apply it themselves! (With you to check their work, of course!) Scroll down to check out our favorite sunscreen sticks for little faces, including mineral sunscreens.

How to apply stick sunscreen

Sunscreen sticks make life a whole lot easier but you might be wondering how to use sunscreen stick. The American Academy of Dermatology (AAD) has two recommendations. First, you’ll want to “apply four passes back and forth.” Second, be sure to rub it in afterwards. These rules apply for every area of the skin you cover.

Are sunscreen sticks effective?

The long and short of it is, yes! Your sunscreen is only as effective as your use of it. This means that it’s a good idea to apply before your fun in the sun, every two hours and especially right after your children are done swimming. The golden rule is to make sure that you rub it into the skin just as you would with a lotion. Because they make a kind of film on the skin, that increases the protective barrier and therefore makes it even more effective. The AAD recommends sunscreen be just one tool in your arsenal. Other tools could be sun hats, protective clothing and sun glasses. Check out these indestructible sunglasses that even your toddler can’t break.

How to clean sunscreen stick

Cleaning your sunscreen stick is easy peasy. Just wipe the top with an alcohol wipe or with some rubbing alcohol. If you’re in a bind, then some warm water and a clean cloth can also do the trick. You don’t necessarily need to wipe it after every single use but somewhere between two and three uses is a good idea.

Best sunscreen sticks for kids and babies

sun bum stick

Sun Bum

SPF 50 Clear Sunscreen Face Stick

$12.49

From the candy-like banana scent to the totally clear application, we’re as obsessed with the Sun Bum kid’s stick as they are. The SPF 50 formula easily glides onto both wet and dry skin and isn’t sticky or greasy either. 

cerave sun stick

CeraVe

Mineral Sunscreen Stick SPF 50

$8.99

If you’re looking for an inexpensive drug store option, the CeraVe Mineral Sunscreen Stick SPF is a great one. True to form, it’s suitable for sensitive skin and even though it does have a bit of a white cast at first, it does rub in without leaving too much behind.

supergoop stick

Supergoop

$24

Who doesn’t love Supergoop, amiright? I use everything from their sunscreen to their cc cream and I love it all. This gentle formula is specifically for babies and kids and glides on with nary a complaint.

mustela stick

Mustela

Mineral Sunscreen Stick

$13.50

We’re big fans of all things Mustela for little ones with sensitive skin. They’re pros when it comes to caring for eczema, and in fact, their Mineral Sunscreen Stick is actually approved by the National Eczema Association. We’ve used it on our generally reactive kiddos and it’s one of the few that’s both effective and comfortable.

blue lizard stick

Blue Lizard

Kids Mineral Sunscreen Stick

$8.99

It’s the perfect size to fit in any size bag but it also glides on clear and provides up to 80 minutes of water resistance. The reviews on multiple sites speak for themselves but you really can’t beat the EWG score either.

think baby stick

ThinkBaby

Body & Face Sunscreen Stick

$11.49

This sunscreen stick glides on like a dream and doesn’t leave any sticky residue. Between the clean ingredients and the easy application it’s no wonder that the reviews are filled with mamas who use it for themselves and their kids.

baby bare stick

Bare Republic

Sunscreen Baby Soft Stick

$16.99

No greasy finish and an almost powdery finish? Sounds too good to be true but it is and it’s totally fragrance-free. The amazing applicator features a spongy top that glides instead of pulling on your baby’s soft skin.

shieseido stick

Shiseido Clear Sunscreen Stick SPF 50+

$30

While it’s not targeted specifically to kids, Shiseido’s formula is as clear as it gets. It’s lightweight and smooth. Plus, you can reapply right on top of your makeup.

Babyganics Kids Mineral Roll On Sunscreen

Babyganics Roll On Mineral Sunscreen

$7.99

From bath time to outdoor time, we’re big fans of the pediatrician-tested, clean and organic baby care products from Babyganics. We recently discovered their easy-to-use and super effective roller sunscreen and can’t imagine summer without it. Not only is it incredibly easy (and fun!) to apply, it also has a subtle pineapple scent that our kids love. For the lack of whining alone we’d buy in bulk.  (And while this isn’t technically a stick it travels just as easily!)