Whether you’re headed to the park or the pool, protecting your baby from the sun’s rays is a hot-button priority, to say the least.

Though you can protect babies and toddlers with the best baby swimsuits and rash guards on the market, you can’t compare apparel to direct-on-skin lotions.

That’s why the New York Post Shopping team turned to two board-certified dermatologists to hand-pick the best baby sunscreens on the market (and, to give us the 411 on how to apply and what to know before you do).

The American Academy of Dermatology (AAD) recommends that before six months of age the best course of sun protection is sun avoidance and shade. But, once your baby is halfway to the one-year-old mark, you should choose from one of the below options. (Related: Best spray sunscreens)

“Most sunscreen formulations for children are physical, meaning they use titanium or zinc as the active ingredients,” Brendan Camp, MD, NYC-based double board-certified dermatologist at MDCS Dermatology, told the New York Post. “This is because physical sunscreens tend to be less irritating. Aside from that, baby sunscreens differ from adult sunscreens primarily only in packaging and marketing.”

Ahead, find the best baby sunscreens to stock up on and protect. Alongside our expert-backed product picks, we also curated an in-depth FAQ section to answer your questions on shopping for and applying baby sunscreen.

For more, check out our expert-backed guides to the best mineral sunscreens and best sunscreens for melanated skin — that won’t leave a white cast.

“My personal favorite sunscreen to use on my babies is the Thinkbaby SPF 50+ Baby Sunscreen,” Shereene Idriss, MD, double board-certified dermatologist in NYC — who specializes in cosmetic dermatology — told The Post. “It’s formulated with non-nano zinc oxide for full spectrum UVA and UVB protection. It’s also water resistant up to 80 minutes and pediatric dermatologist-recommended.”

More, Dr. Camp recommends this formulation, as it not only offers SPF 50 protection but “also features hydrating ingredients like sunflower oil, jojoba oil, olive oil and hyaluronic acid.”

“Formulated for sensitive skin, this SPF 50 lotion is also free of parabens, phthalates and fragrance,” Camp notes.

Even better, it’s from a trusted brand, apt for sensitive skin and is both sweat- and water-resistant for up to 80 minutes before you’ll have to reapply.

Who doesn’t love an easy-to-apply stick sunscreen? Though you’ll have to be extra careful about not missing a spot, the Sun Bum Fragrance-Free Mineral SPF 50 Sunscreen Face Stick offers versatile sun protection.

“As an SPF 50 mineral-based product, this sunscreen glides on easily and is great for use on the face, lips, ears and nose,” Camp highlights.

Another check in its favor? It’s a 100% mineral sunscreen that offers broad spectrum protection. “It’s formulated with ​​shea butter and coconut oil which helps to moisturize and protect the skin,” Dr. Idriss notes, along recommending the product.

“Zinc and titanium are featured in this mineral-based product that comes in a smart bottle that turns pink when exposed to UV rays to remind you that it’s time to apply sunscreen,” Camp notes, recommending the Blue Lizard Baby Mineral Sunscreen SPF 50+.

With nearly 7,000 applauding reviews on Amazon, this particular formulation also is fragrance-free and water-resistant for up to 80 minutes before you’ll need to reapply on your baby.

“Offering SPF 50 protection with mineral coverage, this sunscreen is free of fragrance, parabens, phthalates and dyes, making it ideal for sensitive skin,” Camp says.

Though it’s not widely available to order online, it’s just shy of $15 at Target and has been approved by the National Eczema Association — even more ideal for babies who may be experiencing eczema or textured skin in general.

Yes, Supergoop! has a glamorous sunscreen lotion that’s made perfectly for babies and kids (and, is just as elegant as its top-rated Glowscreen Body SPF 40 ($42) — for the adults, anyway.

“This mineral sunscreen provides SPF 50 protection and contains sunflower seed oil and shea butter to hydrate and nourish skin,” Camp points out.

“Appropriate for use by the whole family, this SPF 50 product contains squalane to provide sheer, moisturizing coverage,” Camp says.

Not to mention, Pipette is a trusted brand for all things baby — from its Baby Shampoo + Wash ($9) to the After-Sun Gel ($11), the latter you’ll want to pick up along with your sunscreen.

“If you’re looking for a sunscreen without a white cast, La Roche-Posay Anthelios Kids Gentle Lotion Sunscreen SPF 50 is a nice gentle formulation,” Idriss recommends. “It has broad spectrum UVA/UVB protection, plus antioxidants.”

Plus, it’s widely avaialble to order online and, though a splurge, it’s fragrance-free, water-resistant for up to 80 minutes and is suitable for the face and body.

Ahead, our team of board-certified dermatologists best explain what to know before buying a newly minted baby sunscreen (and, just as important, how to properly apply it).

As mentioned, the American Academy of Dermatology (AAD) recommends that before six months of age the best course of sun protection is sun avoidance and shade.

“In the first six months for newborns, you should generally avoid direct exposure to the sun and sunscreen use as their skin is highly sensitive and more prone to irritation from sunscreen ingredients,” Idriss adds.

Baby sunscreen typically contains milder and gentler ingredients to minimize the risk of skin irritation.

“For example, zinc oxide which has soothing properties that can help calm irritated skin and reduce redness and inflammation,” Idriss explains. “It’s often also used in diaper creams to protect and soothe the baby’s delicate skin.”

For the most part, baby sunscreens will also be fragrance-free and hypoallergenic, the latter helping to prevent allergic reactions.

Once your baby is at least six-months-old, a general rule of thumb — according to Idriss — is to select a broad-spectrum sunscreen with an SPF of at least 30. This remains on-par with dermatologists’ recommendations for kids and adults, too.

For a sunscreen to be “broad-spectrum,” it means that the formulation itself will help prevent against both UVA and UVB radiation. UVA typically refers to rays that, if exposed too heavily on the skin, has a more direct (and negative) effect on anti-aging. UVB, because its rays are shorter than those of UVA, is more associated with skin burning. In short, broad-spectrum helps ensure both bases are best protected when applied regularly.

“There’s no formal recommendation at which to transition from baby to kid sunscreen because the formulations are similar,” Camp explains. “What distinguishes them most is their packaging. The FDA does not have separate categories for baby or kid sunscreen.”

However, you should take a few factors into consideration. “For example, if your toddler has particularly sensitive skin or a history of skin reactions, you may want to continue using baby sunscreen or consult with a pediatrician before transitioning to kids’ sunscreen,” Idriss advises. “The same goes for a history of allergies and always always always patch test first.”

When in doubt, consult your child’s pediatrician for guidance.

Most importantly, you should opt for a mineral sunscreen — those that contain titanium dioxide or zinc oxide — “are less likely to irritate eczema-prone or sensitive skin,” Camp explains.

In addition, moisturize your baby’s skin first. “This can help create a protective barrier on your babies’ skin,” Idriss recommends. “If the baby’s eczema is actively inflamed, avoid applying sunscreen directly to the affected areas. The sunscreen may cause further irritation and discomfort. Instead, keep the baby in the shade and use protective clothing.”

According to Camp, the AAD released a statement after an FDA study found that some ingredients used in chemical sunscreens can be absorbed into the bloodstream. “It said that the sunscreen ingredients have been used for several decades without any reported internal side effects in humans,” he recaps.

On that note, purchase your products and baby products from established brands and credible skincare retailers. “This is a larger discussion in my opinion,” Idriss voices. “With that being said, formulators would not put toxic ingredients in our skincare products in the first place, whether it’s for your little ones or yourself.”

First, apply a sufficient amount of sunscreen to cover all exposed areas of skin. “In most adults, the amount used in one application is about one ounce, or enough to fill a shot glass,” Camp explains, for reference.

You’ll want to use enough sunscreen to cover the child’s exposed skin adequately, too. “As a rule of thumb, for children, apply about one ounce (approximately a shot glass full) of sunscreen for each application,” Idriss explains (side note: we were in awe that both of our experts used the same analogy).

Be sure to also cover all exposed areas of their body including: the face, ears, neck, arms, legs and feet. “Don’t forget the back of the neck and tops of the ears,” she warns — a common area of the skin applicators tend to neglect.

Reapply sunscreen as needed depending on the sunscreen you’re using, and especially after swimming, sweating or towel-drying, per Idriss’ recommendation. “When outdoors, every two hours is about the right amount of time,” she also notes.

For babies, always apply a sunscreen lotion because you can see where it’s applied — unlike with a stick or spray, per Idriss.

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