Customer Reviews

California Baby SPF 30 + Sunscreen Lotion - Super Sensitive, 2.9 oz

5 star:		(24)
4 star:		(5)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(3)
1 star:		(3)

 

 

This sunscreen has no dangerous chemicals in it. The tube fits easily into your purse or beach bag and you don't have to worry about the product running out of the container as this sunscreen is almost a cream-like consistency. A little goes a long way. One tube lasted my two kids and me a whole summer. It's a little more expensive than your typical drugstore type sunscreen but the fact that it's safe and doesn't have a laundry list of chemicals in it makes it worth the $.

Although I love California Baby's bath products and their Sunscreen Stick, I was surprisingly disappointed in this product. I applied it very generously on my toddler's arms and legs, and it did not seem to protect her for more than a half hour in the sun. Additionally, she has very sensitive skin and I found that it irritated her arms with small bumps. Perhaps for a baby that is not very fair skinned or sensitive, this product works better.

I'm late to the game and just realized that there are lots of harmful agents in even the supposedly gentle sunscreen for kids. We went thru testing lots of sunscreens, but b/c I don't want the chemical blocks (anything that doesn't have titanium or zinc oxide) that'd react with skin, we usually use Bull Frog Solarsphere (which is pretty good) but it's very thick and white, even though it does the job done. I was forced to use chemical blocks (most of the products on the market) but non are as effective as the physical block sunscreens (ie, those with titanium oxide). I was so happy to have found California Baby sunscreen at a friend's recommendation. Before I bought it I cautiously read the reviews on Amazon, especially the negative ones. I'm glad I did, b/c apparently there are different types of California Baby, some aren't PABA free.

This one, the one says fragrant free, does NOT contain PABA. So please read the ingredients carefully before you order (words that ends with -paraben is the one you don't want to have in your sunscreen).

I had no problem with spreading this white cream evenly onto my skin (and I have very tanned skin). It is not streaky, messy, and sticky. It goes on very smoothly, and my skin is only a slight shade lighter, very slight, once I fully spread it on my skin.

This product does contain titanium oxide, so it's supposed to remain ON TOP of the skin, not inside the skin and being absorbed (i read some complained about this). That's how they block the UV ray, and that's why the physical blocks don't irritate skin and are safer for young children to use. If you want something that's clearly absorbed into the skin, use chemical blocks (just about most other products don't have titanium oxide), it creates chemical reactions with your skin and supposedly help block UV rays. But now to look at all that news reports about the fact that there are carcinogens inside most of the sunscreens, I'd think twice about ever using chemical blocks again.

Kumazawa, et. al. in their study, "Effects of Titanium Ions and Particles on Neutrophil Function and Morphology" concluded that cytotoxicity (danger to the cell) was dependent on the particle size of titanium dioxide. The smaller the particle size, the more toxic it is. This conclusion is relevant to the consumer because of the cosmetics industry's increasing use of micronized pigments in sunscreens and colour cosmetics. Nanoparticles of titanium dioxide are used in sunscreens because they are colourless at that size and still absorb ultraviolet light. Many cosmetic companies are capitalizing on metal oxide nanoparticles. We have seen, however, that if titanium dioxide particles used to act as a sunscreen are small enough, they can penetrate the cells, leading to photocatalysis within the cell, causing DNA damage after exposure to sunlight (Powell, et. al. 1996) The fear is that this could lead to cancer in the skin. Studies with subjects who applied sunscreens with micronized titanium dioxide daily for 2-4 weeks showed that the skin can absorb microfine particles. These particles were seen in the percutaneous layers of the skin under UV light. Coarse or fine particles of titanium dioxide are safe and effective at deflecting and absorbing UV light, protecting the skin, but consumers should avoid using products with micronized mineral pigments, either in sunscreens or colour cosmetics.
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My baby got puffy eyes from every sunscreen we tried. The dermatologist suggested Blue Lizard. However, after lots of other expensive bottles we found that California Baby was the only sunscreen that worked for her. We used it only on her face and a less expensive sunscreen for her entire body. A bottle lasted us all summer.

This is the only sunscreen that my family will use. It is truly fragrance free.....meaning that it doesn't leave that scent behind that the ones the drugstores sell that claim to be unscented. It is the most water-proof sunscreen we've ever used. I have small children and I can put this on them before sun and swimming and we can stay out about 4 hours without burning and without reapplying the product. Wouldn't go a summer without it.

I've bought this sunscreen along with Sun'n'Fun baby by Sweetsation. Although it did a reasonably good job protesting my kid, it's a bit too greasy for my liking and was leaving white greasy streaks over everything my son touched. That was a little annoying since I had to clean that white goo off. So when it comes to protection this product is good, but I would continue with Sun'n'Fun as it's equaly good sun protector but is not greasy and smells great.

I bought this because of it's great listing at [...]

however, it does leave your face a little white as some people have noticed.

a good alternative that doesn't change your color (but not quite as good on safety or effectiveness, but almost as good) you can use the Walgreen's product listed at Skin Deep, Zinc Oxide for Face, Nose, & Ears, which is not only super inexpensive, it is clear to boot! The manager at Walgreens had no clue it was rated so highly at Skin Deep.

Used this product on my 2 year old daughter who has very allergic and sensitive skin. We live in Barbados and the first day I tried it she still got a little sun burnt but at least she did not break out in welts or a rash. Next time will keep reapplying once we are out in the sun. So far so good.

I've been using this sunscreen all summer on my very fair daughter who is now 14 months. As expected, she has had no reaction to the sunscreen because its a mineral one. She hasn't gotten burned even while outside in the direct sun in the afternoon. I just ordered my third tube and I wouldn't dream of using anything else on her! Its totally worth the money knowing she is protected without any fragrance or chemicals that could irritate her skin.