Cetaphil Sun SPF 50+ Kids Lotion
Works for
Sun protectionSPF 50 · 5 UV filters · Broad spectrumWeak protectionLow filter dose
MoisturizingPanthenol, C12-15 alkyl benzoate + 10 moreWorks well
“This hypoallergenic, hydrating sun lotion offers four hours of water resistance, and comes with a pump dispenser for easy and even application.”
This product can help improve hydration of the skin with the two types of ingredients.
The first type is called “humectants”:
these ingredients help attract water.
When humectants are on the surface of the skin, they “pull in” the moisture from the outside environment, or from
within deeper layers of the skin. The following ingredients in this product do the job:
glycerin, aloe barbadensis extract.
This product also contains ingredients called “occlusives”. They help reduce the speed with which our skin loses moisture to the outside environment. These ingredients also help soften the upper layer of the skin, so it feels less tight and nicer to the touch. The following ingredients in this product do the job: dimethicone, c12-15 alkyl benzoate.
The following ingredients in this product are especially good for supporting the skin barrier and helping with the hydration level: panthenol
Can it cause trouble?
Irritancy12 flagged ingredientsLow risk
ComedogenicClean of flagged comedogenic ingredientsNone flagged
User reviews
Be the first — your take helps the next person decide.
Ingredients
Filter by role to see what each ingredient is doing.
Water~40–60%
C12-15 alkyl benzoate~5.3–8%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Enhances the product texture and makes it more spreadable. Helps reduce water loss from the outer layer of skin. Extands the shelf life by preventing bacteria growth
More about C12-15 alkyl benzoateDibutyl adipate~3.9–5.9%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps soften the upper layer of the skin and create a nice product consistency
More about Dibutyl adipateDicaprylyl carbonate~2.8–4.3%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps products spread more easily and works as an emollient to soften skin
More about Dicaprylyl carbonatePentylene glycol~2.2–3.2%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Used to preserve products, dissolve other ingredients and create a nice product texture
More about Pentylene glycolDimethicone~1.8–2.8%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A silicone that helps to reduce water loss from the surface of the skin. Can temporarily "fill in" lines and wrinkles, absorb oil, and create a nice product finish
More about DimethiconeAlcohol~1.5–2.2%
- Irritation risk
- High
Can be drying and contribute to skin irritation. Used in formulars to dissolve other ingredients, create a thinner product consistency or for its antibacterial properties
More about AlcoholCetyl phosphate~1.2–1.9%
Glycerin~1.1–1.6%
- Irritation risk
- Low
One of the best moisturizing ingredients. Naturally present in skin. It attracts water to the upper layer of the skin working as a humectant
More about GlycerinCetyl alcohol~0.9–1.4%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A non-drying alcohol that works to soften the skin and stabilize product formulations helping oil and water mix together
More about Cetyl alcoholTromethamine~0.5–1.15%
Panthenol~0.4–0.95%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps attract water to the upper layer of the skin and can help improve skin barrier function
More about PanthenolTocopherol~0.35–0.85%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Pure form of vitamin E. Can help moisturise and protect the skin from free radicals. Often used to help stabilise other ingredients or the formula itself
More about TocopherolLecithin~0.35–0.85%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Used mostly for creating emulsions - helping oil and water mix together. Helps soften the upper layer of the skin
More about LecithinDecyl glucoside~0.4–0.9%
- Irritation risk
- High
Helps oil and water mix together. Can be irritating
More about Decyl glucosideCarbomer~0.15–0.7%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps create a thicker or gel-like product texture. It is not a surfactant but can be used in gentle cleansing formulations
More about CarbomerPropylene glycol~0.15–0.6%
- Irritation risk
- High
Helps oil and water mix together and can enhance the penetration of other ingredients into the skin. It can be irritating
More about Propylene glycolXanthan gum~0.15–0.55%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Used to create a thicker product consistency
More about Xanthan gumBht~0.1–0.45%
Aloe barbadensis extract~0.1–0.4%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Traditionally used to treat sunburns, dermatitis and inflammation, but evidence for its effectiveness is lacking. The extract can contain humectants that help attract water into the skin
More about Aloe barbadensis extractMethylene bis-benzotriazolyl tetramethylbutylphenol~0.15–0.65%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Tinosorb M. A UV filter. Is effective against both UVA and UVB rays. It also provides some protection against visible light. It is photostable and can also be used to improve photostability of other sunscreen ingredients. Its physical properties help to create lightweight sunscreen formulations. It can leave a slight white cast. Unfortunately, it is not approved by the FDA (US) yet
More about Methylene bis-benzotriazolyl tetramethylbutylphenolDiethylamino hydroxybenzoyl hexyl benzoate~0.15–0.6%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Uvinul A Plus. A new generation broad spectrum sunscreen that offers an effective protection especially in the UVA range. It is stable in formulations. Unfortunately, is not approved by the FDA (US) yet
More about Diethylamino hydroxybenzoyl hexyl benzoateEthylhexyl triazone~0.1–0.4%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Uvinul T. A UV filter. Effective against UVB rays. It is photostable. Can increase water resistance properties of the sunscreen. Unfortunately, not approved by the FDA (US) yet
More about Ethylhexyl triazoneBis-ethylhexyloxyphenol methoxyphenyl triazine~0.1–0.35%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Tinosorb S. One of the most effective broad spectrum sunscreen ingredients. Protects from both UVA and UVB rays. It is photostable. Approved by the US FDA in 2026 (listed as bemotrizinol on US labels).
More about Bis-ethylhexyloxyphenol methoxyphenyl triazineEthylhexyl methoxycinnamate~0.05–0.3%
- Irritation risk
- High
Octinoxate. When used in higher concentrations, works as a sunscreen protecting the skin from UVB rays. When used in lower concentration, helps to preserve the product formulation. Is shown to be harmful to coral reefs - consider avoiding bathing in coral reef areas when wearing a product with this ingredient. It can be irritating
More about Ethylhexyl methoxycinnamateIngredient list view
Water, C12-15 alkyl benzoate, Dibutyl adipate, Dicaprylyl carbonate, Pentylene glycol, Dimethicone, Alcohol, Cetyl phosphate, Glycerin, Cetyl alcohol, Tromethamine, Panthenol, Tocopherol, Lecithin, Decyl glucoside, Carbomer, Propylene glycol, Xanthan gum, Bht, Aloe barbadensis extract, Methylene bis-benzotriazolyl tetramethylbutylphenol, Diethylamino hydroxybenzoyl hexyl benzoate, Ethylhexyl triazone, Bis-ethylhexyloxyphenol methoxyphenyl triazine, Ethylhexyl methoxycinnamate
Compare prices
Retailers ranked by price — lowest first.
Worth comparing, line by line.
Match % combines shared ingredients, the first five ingredients, shared actives and hero ingredients, irritancy (lower counts in the alternative's favour), texture and body area. Only products in the same routine step are compared.
| Cetaphil SunSPF 50+ Kids LotionYOUR PRODUCT | DaylongKids Sun Suncreen Lotion SPF 50 | CetaphilSun Kids Liposomal SPF50+ Lotion | RITUALSThe Ritual of Namaste SPF 50 Daily Sun Protection | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Match | — | 67% | 62% | 59% |
| Price | — | $39.99 | $14.24 | $40.02 |
| Shared key ingredients | — | 9 of 9 | 8 of 9 | 6 of 9 |
| Key difference | — | — | — | Citrulline |
| Irritancy | Low | Low | Low | Low |
| SPF | SPF 50 | SPF 50 | SPF 50 | SPF 50 |
| Drying alcohol | Contains drying alcohol | Contains drying alcohol | Contains drying alcohol | Contains drying alcohol |
| View product | Shop | Shop | Shop |
More alternatives: SCINIC Enjoy Super Mild Sun Essence SPF 50+ PA++++Bioderma Atopic skin sunlotion spf 50+
Product summary
"Cetaphil Sun - SPF 50+ Kids Lotion" is using UV filters in a relatively low concentration. Because of this, it might not be able to provide reliable sun protection.
As a plus, this sunscreen uses some of the new generation UV filters (Tinosorb M). These filters are more stable and more gentle on the skin.
Its formula is also hydrating, so you might not need an additional moistruizer during the day.
Sunscreen filters
This sunscreen uses so-called "chemical", or organic UV filters (organic simply means that their molecules contain atoms of carbon). These filters typically give good sun protection and rarely leave a white cast, but they can be irritating for sensitive skin. The UV filters in this sunscreen are: uvinul a plus 0.20% - 0.70%, octinoxate 0.10% - 0.30%, uvinul t 0.15% - 0.60% and tinosorb m 0.20% - 0.80%.
Irritation risk
This sunscreen contains some common irritants, including those without a benefit for the skin. We assess the overall irritancy of this sunscreen to be low. For a detailed overview of all potential irritants: click here
You can see the detailed formula review with the breakdown of all actives in the product and the full ingredient list with estimated concentrations in the tables below.
Sources cited in this review
Every concentration estimate and effectiveness label is anchored to one of these 13 studies and safety reviews.
- 1
- 2Final Report on the Safety Assessment of Dimethicone Copolyoljournals.sagepub.com
- 3
- 4
- 5Safety Assessment of Tromethamine as Used in Cosmeticscir-safety.org
- 6Skin moisturizing effects of panthenol-based formulationspdfs.semanticscholar.org
Affiliate links · As an Amazon Associate, WIMJ earns from qualifying purchases.