SUNSCREEN ALLERGIES AND HOW TO HANDLE THEM

Hi, babes! Emma here, and today's topic will be centred around sunscreen allergies. Even though a fairly small amount of individuals suffer from them, I believe it's a topic worth writing about. Without further ado, let's get into it. 

After a day of fun in the sun, sometimes it isn’t a surprise to see some redness and feel the uncomfortable itching sensation that comes with it. But that isn’t necessarily caused by missing a few spots with your sunscreen or forgetting to reapply. (Remember that it’s crucial to thoroughly slather on SPF every 90 minutes or so when you’re enjoying some time al fresco.) That could actually be an allergic reaction to your sunscreen.

How common is it really for people to be allergic to sunscreen? Uncommon, according to experts. There are some ingredients that are somewhat irritating to people with sensitive skin, causing what is called an irritant allergy, and this is much more common than having a true allergy (or a contact allergy).

Read on to learn more about what sunscreen allergies are, how to detect them, and what to do about them.

So, what is a sunscreen allergy?

A sunscreen allergy is exactly what it sounds like: It is when someone has an allergic reaction to sunscreen. Just like anyone can have a dietary allergy or sensitivity, anyone can be allergic or sensitive to one of the many ingredients found in sunscreens, or any other skincare product. Below are the different types of a sunscreen allergy:

Sensitive skin: Most often, people with sensitive skin find some of the ingredients in sunscreen to be irritating. This is not so much a true allergy, but if the skin is particularly inflamed, dry, or already irritated from something else, then they may be more likely to have a reaction when they apply their sunscreen.

Contact allergy: A true allergy triggers a different type of immunologic reaction in the body and continuing to apply an ingredient that you’re allergic to will only worsen symptoms each time. Some people can be so allergic that they form blisters when they come in contact with the offending ingredient.

Photo contact allergy: This type of allergy requires the offending ingredient to be exposed to sunlight to activate the allergic reaction. As you can imagine, this is quite problematic when most people use sunscreens in order to spend more time in the sun.

Signs to look out for 

A sunscreen allergy can appear as hives, with red, raised welts, as well as itchy, rashy skin, dermatologists report. 

There are overlapping signs of all categories. A mild allergy can first appear similar to a sensitivity. For a basic irritant sensitivity, the skin is often just a little pink and inflamed, but may vary depending on the condition of your skin that day. Skin that is well-moisturised, healthier and stronger, for example, may experience little to no irritation when coming in contact with the ingredients. But at a different time, when skin is dry, perhaps more irritated after wearing certain fabrics (wool!), the skin may have a much more aggressive reaction when exposed to the same ingredients.

Regardless of the condition of your skin, a contact allergy will always be itchy, red and inflamed. With repeated exposure the reaction will become more and more vigorous, and the itching may happen much quicker and sooner after application of the product.

Though technically anyone can experience a sunscreen allergy, some people are more prone than others. Anyone with asthma, hay fever, or atopic eczema may be more sensitive and at risk to allergies to chemical sunscreen ingredients.

Known irritants that can trigger allergic reactions

In reality, any of the ingredients can cause an allergy, but the most common ones are methoxycinnamate, benzophenone-2, benzophenone-3 and one known as PABA. Additionally, steering clear of dibenzoylmethanes is a good idea. Of course, delicate complexions will want to avoid fragrance and dyes, which are the most common source of skincare ingredient allergies.

If you have sensitive skin, it’s a good idea to apply a small amount to a discreet location, such as your wrist or behind the ear, to see if you have any reaction. You could be sensitive or allergic to one of many different ingredients in sunscreen, not just the active ingredient, so if you do note a reaction, that would be the best time to move forward and talk to a dermatologist.

Sunscreens to that might help prevent reactions

Paula’s Choice extra care non-greasy sunscreen broad spectrum SPF50

Initially appearing as a midweight white lotion, the softening formula quickly absorbs and creates an invisible matte finish. The factor 50 sun cream is so weightless on bare skin we hardly noticed it was there. Plus, the inclusion of soothing ingredients like aloe vera juice adds a calming feel to the skin. 

Soltan sensitive lotion SPF30

A sensitive version of the classic Soltan SPF, this hypoallergenic fragrance-free sunscreen is for skin prone to irritation. The glossy white lotion glides on, and spreads easily. It has a water-resistant lightweight formulation that provides generous protection. 

ZitSticka megashade SPF50 serum

What’s different about this 50ml SPF is the pipette applicator and serum-style consistency. The runny liquid is very buildable too, making additional top-ups throughout the day a mess-free process. The SPF50 is specifically for acne-prone skin, because of its lightweight, non-comedogenic formula. It also contains skincare ingredient hyaluronic acid, so there’s a bit of dewiness there as well. 

When in doubt about sunscreen allergies, consult with your dermatologist. They have many tools to determine if you’re experiencing an allergy and to identify one of many potential ingredients that could be causing it. 

Thanks for reading, and until next time!

Love, 

Emma

xoxo