Allergic to Suncream: What You Need to Do
Learn how to identify suncream allergies, their reactions, and alternative protection methods to safeguard your skin from UV damage without irritation.
Reading Time: 5 minutes
Allergic to suncream? We got you covered.
Introduction to Suncream Allergies
Do you or one of children have a suncream allergy? It can make enjoying the outdoors feel pretty tricky with the constant concern that you might get sunburnt if you don’t wear suncream but a reaction if you do! Don’t worry, you’re not alone.
Suncream is one of the best forms of protection for our skin against the harmful effects of the sun, which include skin cancer, cataracts and premature ageing. However, for some people, using suncream can lead to allergic reactions like redness, itching, or even blisters. Though suncream allergies are rare, they can be uncomfortable and frustrating. In this post, we’ll look into the triggers, signs, and ways to manage a suncream allergy, plus tips on how to protect your skin even if suncream isn’t an option.
What Triggers a Suncream Allergy?
Suncream allergies can occur due to the various ingredients found in the product. These include chemical UV absorbers, preservatives, fragrances, and other additives used to stabilise the formula. While the likelihood of developing a suncream allergy is low, certain individuals may be more sensitive to these ingredients. Some may develop an allergy to a specific ingredient that they’ve used without issues for years. In addition, sun exposure can interact with certain ingredients, triggering allergic reactions like photocontact dermatitis.
Identifying Reactions to Suncream
If you think you might be allergic to suncream, it’s important to recognise the signs early on. Allergic reactions to suncream can range from mild skin irritation to more severe reactions. Below are some common reactions to look out for:
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Contact Dermatitis: The most common reaction to suncream. It can occur in two forms:
- Irritant Contact Dermatitis: A mild reaction that occurs immediately after applying suncream. It can lead to redness, stinging, or irritation on the skin where the suncream was applied. People with sensitive skin or a history of eczema are more likely to experience this type of reaction.
- Allergic Contact Dermatitis: A less common type that happens when the immune system reacts to a substance in the suncream, such as a fragrance or preservative. It can cause an itchy, blistering rash and might spread beyond the applied areas. Allergic reactions can develop over time, even if you’ve used the product without issue before.
- Photocontact Dermatitis: A rare reaction where a sunscreen ingredient interacts with UV light, causing a skin reaction. This often happens on sun-exposed areas like the face, arms, chest, and back of the hands, where the suncream has been applied. It may resemble severe sunburn or eczema, but the difference is that it only appears where the suncream was used.
How to Protect Your Skin If You Are Allergic to Suncream
If you’ve identified a suncream allergy, don’t worry there are still plenty of ways to protect your skin from harmful UV rays without using traditional suncreams.
Choosing Suncreams That Are Safe for Sensitive Skin
If you find that you are allergic to suncream, it is most likely that you are allergic to chemical suncreams. There are two types of suncreams:
- Chemical suncreams: use synthetic compounds, such as oxybenzone, avobenzone, and octinoxate, to absorb and filter out harmful UV rays from the sun.
- Physical suncreams (also known as mineral suncreams): use natural minerals like zinc oxide and titanium dioxide to create a physical barrier on the skin.
Try switching to physical (mineral) suncreams which are less likely to cause allergic reactions. Unlike chemical sunscreens, physical suncreams sit on top of the skin and reflect UV rays rather than absorbing them. Look for suncream products marked as “hypoallergenic” or “for sensitive skin” to reduce the chances of a reaction.
Sun Protective Clothing
Whether you are allergic or not to suncream, the most effective and simplest way to protect against the sun’s UV rays is sun protective clothing. Clothing made from UPF (Ultraviolet Protection Factor) fabric can block out harmful UV rays and prevent sunburn without the need for any suncream – so you can forget about having to constantly re-apply suncream! You can also wear accessories like hats and sunglasses for extra protection.
We find sun protective clothing a particularly useful alternative for children with allergies to suncream. You can simply get your little ones fitted in a UV suit and let them go play in comfort without the hassle of re-applying greasy suncream every couple of hours.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, it is possible to develop an allergy to suncream later in life, even if you’ve used it without issues for years. Allergies can develop over time, especially if your skin becomes more sensitive or if you’re exposed to different ingredients in new products.
Common allergens in suncream include fragrances, preservatives, and chemical UV absorbers like oxybenzone, avobenzone, and homosalate. Physical blockers like zinc oxide and titanium dioxide are generally less likely to cause allergic reactions.
A sun allergy often appears as redness, itching, blistering, or a rash on the skin. In severe cases, it can look similar to sunburn or eczema. The reaction is usually found on the areas where the suncream was applied, especially on sun-exposed areas.
Symptoms of a suncream allergy include an itchy rash, swelling, redness, or dry skin. In severe cases, blisters may form. These symptoms can appear soon after using the product or after repeated exposure.
Yes, you can perform a patch test by applying a small amount of suncream to a small area of skin, such as your forearm, and monitoring it for a few days. If any irritation or rash develops, it’s best to avoid using that product. However, for more accurate results, it’s a good idea to consult a dermatologist who can perform proper patch testing.
If you're allergic to traditional suncream, look for alternatives like physical (mineral) suncreams containing zinc oxide or titanium dioxide. You can also protect your skin by wearing UPF 50+ clothing from Equatorsun and using sun protection accessories like hats and sunglasses.