From the article: Sunscreen Allergy
Sunscreen allergy is relatively common, and patients I've diagnosed with it often say that they've had a hard time finding a sunscreen that they can tolerate. Most often, I recommend a barrier sunblock that contains titanium or zinc oxide, but a lot of people don't like these forms of sunblock because they don't rub into the skin. If you have a sunscreen allergy, have you found one that you like and that works well for you? Though what works for one may not work for all, sharing your tips may be helpful to others.
If you're still on the hunt for a sunscreen that works for you, share your other sun protection tips. Share Your Story
If you're still on the hunt for a sunscreen that works for you, share your other sun protection tips. Share Your Story
L'oreal Ombrelle
- I have the same issue as a lot of thers on this post. I 've had the issue since I was 8 years old, I'm 35 now. My skin swells & I itch all over, my lips crack & blister. I use Reactine, my doctor gives me extra strength when its intense & crotisone cream. I went to an allergist when I was a teenager and he basically said its the sun. I found that L'oreal Ombrelle works, but I still need to be careful in the sun, I wear a large brim hat and shades. Long sleeves if its not too hot. I find I react worse at the beginning of the summer or if I go south on vacation in the middle of winter. I also started using a vitamin C lotion from GNC and noticed that this summer my face isn't nearly as bad. I was caught out in the park in the middle of the day and was worried because I didn't have sunblock. The next day no reaction! So I think the Vitamin C lotion helps... but I almost always use sunblock. The block leaves a white film and feels like my pores are clogged.
- —Guest Marilyn
My daughter and I are allergic
- For years I knew that I was allergic to sunscreen, but which chemical in it, I don't know. There are too many to consider! And knowing that I was allergic, I figured my daughter would be too. We both break out in hives and huge rashes mostly over the more sensitive areas (back of knees, inside elbows, neck, inner thighs, etc). Anyone have a similar reaction? If so, what is a good gluten/nut free product to try that will still offer us good protection? We can use sunscreen on our face and a few other areas of our bodies with no rxn, but this isn't good enough. I haven't found a good allergist or dermatologist in our area, so we might have to do this on our own.
- —Guest Rosalyn
Olay Complete spf 15 or 30
- My daughter and I both react to any sunscreen applied to the face other than Olay Complete it comes in spf 15 and sometimes you can find it in a 30. She reacts worse than I do...skin peels and blisters. It has to be reapplied often but is worth the extra effort as we are avid swimmers and spend tons of time outdoors.
- —Guest ~L
Allergic to Vitamin E
- Almost every sunblock lists vitamin E (tocopheryl). That is what I'm allergic to. Do a patch test to pure stuff to find out. Vitamin e is synthetically produces. Its not natural.
- —Guest A
Equate kids lotion 50 fps
- I was thinking if it was really the sunscreen and I did put again and provoques again the same allergy, is itching all my body.
- —Guest marcia
Sunscreen allergy
- This first started happening to me last May. I would put on my moisturizer (with 15 spf) in the morning and by the time I was finished getting ready for class my face would be red and itchy, especially around my eyes. It would only get worse as I walked to class and started to sweat. I had a professor actually send me home once because he was convinced I had some horrible disease and shouldn't have come to class at all. I have very fair skin so going without sunscreen isn't really an option for me. I typically use Coppertone Water Babies 50 spf lotion when I plan to be in the sun a lot. It doesn't irritate me nearly as much as any other kind. Everything by Neutrogena or Aveeno makes me itch, really anything meant to be used as a daily facial moisturizer containing spf ruins my face for a day and a half. After reading some of the other replies I realize that mine is a really mild case but I thought I'd share what works for me. Hope this helps! :)
- —Guest Erin
One that works for my daughter
- My daughter has always been allergic to most sunscreens. The one that works best with no reaction is Pre Sun. All their products produce no reaction in her. They have one with zinc oxide and also a clear gel. They used to have a spray which I have tried to order again to no avail. A determatologist suggested we try Pre Sun and it's great. We been using it for over 10 years.
- —Guest Guest Susan
banana boat spf 30
- i used the banana boat spf 30 sunscreen on my legs and they got sooo red and i got a rash for about 15 to 2o minutes! everytime i try to use it it gives me rash! i wanted to use it under the baby oil to protect my skin but it is giving me rash, so i just used baby oil without sunscreen and i didnt burn! very ironice
- —Guest sarah
The only sunblock I am not allergic to~
- Hello, I am allergic to all metals, so sunblocks containing titanium or all else are an issue for me. Oil based suntan lotions up to spf 8 have not caused issues ( such as banana boat or coppertone oils are fine). I am highly allergic to the sparkles that are popular, but Bain de Soleil suntan lotion is the only non-oil form of suntan protection that does not create an issue for my skin. I hope this is helpful, Best, Jane
- —Guest Jane
Allergy
- I changed from one expensive sunscreen lotion to one much cheaper and my face swelled so that my eyes would not open. I took 2 different medications for the allergy and it does not correct the problem. One Allergy med. has Diphenhydramine Hydrochloride Antihistamene and the cheaper one had Diphenhydramine HCI Antihistamine. The Benadryl Allergy Relief made some swelling, but it was much out of date. Is it the remedy or the sunscreen block causing the problem.
- —Guest Jackie
Vanicream works for me
- I have a large box of sunscreen products that give me rashes. All Neutrogena products for sensitive skin give me a rash. The only thing that doesn't give me a rash is Vanicream SPF 30 for sunscreen sensitive skin. BUT, the lip protectant gives me a rash so beware.
- —Guest Billie
sunscreen changed
- I have never had issues with sunscreen before apart from an all natural product. Recently after a few days use my regular sunscreen is giving me a hivey rash also. Im concerned that the micronised zinc and titainium oxides being used in the last few years arent as stable as they lead us to believe and possibly reacting with peoples skin to cause new allergies.
- —Guest sunscreen changes
Spf allergy
- I am allergic to UV rays, SPF, peaches, apricot, apple, sometime banana and peanuts. Summer is a living hell. I react by breaking out in hives which ulcerates and weep. Have not found anything to combat this. I can deal with the food allergies, but the photo sensitivity is another problem cause I'm equally allergic to the treatment. Totally perplexed.
- —Guest Elaine
Sunscreen Allergy
- I have an allergy to Methyloxycinnamate or now being called oxytinate. I have found it in a lot of products from the obvious sunscreens to makeup, lipbalms, and even hair products. I get a burning, red itchy raised rash that takes two weeks to heal. If it's really bad, my skin cracks. If I get it on my lips, they swell. The skin gets damaged and that's why it takes two weeks to heal just like any other kind of injury to the skin. I have tried zinc oxide but what I used was thick and left a white film. I'm about to try Elta MD. I tried a sample and have not reacted to it. The only other thing that I have done is to use allergy meds. But I think it would be better to avoid meds especially if you're using sunscreen frequently as they do suggest.
- —Guest Mary
Spf is my enemy :(
- ive tried everything from banana boat to loreal for kids to neutrogena and found out im allergic to everything neutrogena makes bcuz they use spf for every product ive used coppertone anything with spf is my enemy its not a small rash that i get its all over itchyness and pain that last about 1 to 2 months and im so sick of it ppl i still have a rash from wen i went to the beach last month....ughhhhhhh
- —Guest dee
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