Sun Bum sunscreen is generally considered safe to use during pregnancy. The brand’s original line is free of parabens, phthalates, sulfates, and synthetic fragrances, which are the ingredients most often flagged as concerns for pregnant people. That said, some Sun Bum products contain chemical UV filters that certain dermatologists recommend swapping out during pregnancy, so the specific product you choose matters.
What’s in Sun Bum Products
Sun Bum’s original sunscreen line is paraben-free, phthalate-free, and free of synthetic fragrances. It’s also vegan, cruelty-free, and oxybenzone-free. Oxybenzone is the chemical UV filter that has drawn the most concern in recent years because it can be absorbed through the skin and has shown up in blood and urine samples at levels that prompted the FDA to request more safety data. Sun Bum removed it from their formulas.
However, most Sun Bum original sunscreens still use other chemical filters like avobenzone, homosalate, and octocrylene to block UV rays. These ingredients are FDA-approved and widely used, but they do absorb into the skin to some degree. No studies have shown harm to a developing baby from topical use of these filters, but the absorption question is what makes some providers suggest mineral sunscreen as a more cautious choice during pregnancy.
Chemical vs. Mineral Sunscreen in Pregnancy
Sunscreens work in one of two ways. Chemical filters absorb UV radiation and convert it to heat. Mineral filters (zinc oxide and titanium dioxide) sit on top of the skin and physically reflect UV rays. The key difference during pregnancy: mineral filters don’t absorb into the bloodstream in meaningful amounts, while chemical filters do.
For most people, this absorption is not a proven risk. But pregnancy is a time when many people prefer to minimize unnecessary chemical exposure, and mineral sunscreen offers a straightforward way to do that. Sun Bum does make a mineral sunscreen line called Sun Bum Mineral, which uses zinc oxide as the active ingredient. If you want to stick with the brand but take the most conservative approach, that’s the product to reach for.
Ingredients Worth Avoiding
When shopping for any sunscreen during pregnancy, a few ingredients are worth steering clear of:
- Oxybenzone: The most-studied chemical filter for skin absorption. It can cross the placenta in animal studies and may act as a mild hormone disruptor. Sun Bum’s current formulas don’t include it.
- Retinyl palmitate: A form of vitamin A sometimes added to skincare products, including some sunscreens. High doses of vitamin A are linked to birth defects, so topical products containing it are typically avoided in pregnancy.
- Parabens and phthalates: Both can act as weak endocrine disruptors. Sun Bum’s line excludes both.
On the ingredients that matter most, Sun Bum checks the right boxes. The brand’s formulas avoid the chemicals that raise the biggest red flags during pregnancy.
Pregnancy Skin Changes and Sunscreen
Pregnancy makes sunscreen more important, not less. Hormonal shifts increase melanin production, which makes your skin more prone to dark patches called melasma (sometimes called “the mask of pregnancy”). These patches typically appear on the forehead, cheeks, and upper lip, and sun exposure makes them significantly worse. Wearing SPF 30 or higher daily is one of the most effective ways to prevent melasma or keep it from deepening.
Pregnancy also makes skin more sensitive in general. Some people find that chemical sunscreens cause stinging or irritation they never experienced before, especially on the face. Sun Bum’s original line is labeled hypoallergenic, but if you notice any irritation, switching to their mineral formula or another zinc oxide-based sunscreen can help. Mineral sunscreens are less likely to trigger sensitivity because they don’t react chemically with the skin.
Which Sun Bum Products to Choose
If you’re comfortable with chemical filters (which most OBs consider fine), Sun Bum’s Original SPF 30 or SPF 50 lotions are a solid choice. They’re water-resistant for 80 minutes, go on smoothly, and skip the most concerning ingredients like oxybenzone, parabens, and phthalates.
If you want to be extra cautious, go with Sun Bum Mineral SPF 30 or SPF 50. Zinc oxide is the only active ingredient, nothing absorbs into the bloodstream, and it’s the option most dermatologists would point to as the safest pick during pregnancy. The tradeoff is that mineral sunscreens can leave a slight white cast, especially on darker skin tones, though tinted versions help with this.
Whichever formula you choose, the most important thing is that you actually wear sunscreen consistently. Skipping it entirely carries a clearer risk (sun damage, worsening melasma) than using a chemical sunscreen during pregnancy.