We all know that the sun rays are dangerous: they cause wrinkles, sun spots, uneven pigmentation and cancer. That’s why it is necessary to wear a good sunscreen every day to make sure our skin is protected against all this damage. But just like any other ingredient in beauty products, sunscreen agents can cause allergies too. And what can we do when this happens?
What are sunscreen allergies and who’s more at risk?
If you’re allergic to sunscreen, you’ll develop an itchy and blistering rash on your skin wherever you applied the sunscreen. This can occur for two reasons: your skin has come into contact with a substance that has triggered the reaction (contact dermatitis) or it can be a combination of the sunscreen and UV exposure (phototoxic reaction).
Those who are more prone to develop an allergy to sunscreen are people that spend a lot of time working outdoors, those that apply sunscreen to sun-damaged skin and those that have chronic skin condition that are related to the sun like atopic dermatitis. It also seems that women are more at risk than men which is thought to be because they often use cosmetics with SPF.
Chemical vs Physical Sunscreens
Now, let’s have a look at the ingredients. There are two types of sunscreens: chemical absorbers and physical blockers:
Chemical absorbers: these are synthetic substances that absorb UV radiation and turn it into a less dangerous and less damaging form of radiation. They include ingredients like Mexoryl, Avobenzone, Oxybenzone and PABAs, most of which can cause irritations and allergies.
Physical blockers: these are ingredients that don’t absorb UV radiation, but instead reflect it and scatter it away from our bodies to the environment. They include ingredients like Zinc Oxide and Titanium Dioxide, which won’t cause contact dermatitis but can leave a white cast on skin. In addition, if the concentrations are too high, they can cause breakouts in some people.
What sunscreen ingredients are more likely to cause allergies?
There are several sunscreen agents that can cause allergies but the most common ones are:
Benzophenones: a group of substances that include Oxybenzone, Methanone, benzophenone-3 and any other ingredient that ends in “benzophenone”. They are very used in sunscreens for their ability to protect against UVBs and some UVAs rays but can cause contact dermatitis.
Cinnamates: a group of compunds that include ethylhexyl-p-methoxycinnamate, and 2-Ethoxyethyl-p-methoxycinnamate. These UVB absorbers, which can cause allergies, are often used together with Benzophenones. Cinnamates are related to Balsam of Peru allergies, so those that have this allergies should stay away with sunscreens that contain this group of ingredients.
Dibenzoylmethanes: this groups contains Avobenzone and Eusolex 8020. Because they can absorb UVA rays, they are often used in conjunction with other sunscreen agents for broad-spectrum protection. Cases of contact allergies to these compounds have been reported.
Octocrylene: this is a recent ingredients that has only been used for about a decade. It protects skin against UVB rays but can cause contact dermatitis.
Salicylates: they include ingredients like Benzyl Salicylate (the first sunscreen ever used in the USA) Octyl Salicylate, and any other ingredients that end with “salicylate.” These ingredients need to be used in high concentrations because their ability to absorb UVB rays is weak. They can cause contact dermatitis, but that rarely happens.
Para-Aminobenzoic Acid (PABA): although one of the first sunscreen ingredients to be used in the USA, it is now rarely found in products because it is a common allergen.
Fragrance and preservatives: to complicate things even more, it’s not only the sunscreen agents that can cause allergies and other negative reactions, each ingredient in the product could actually be the culprit. Those more likely to cause trouble are fragrances and preservatives, especially those that work by releasing formaldehyde. In any case, if you know you’re allergic to something, always check the label before purchasing.
What can I do if I’m allergic to sunscreen?
Apart from staying away from the sun, which isn’t always possible, wear protective clothes, sunglasses and hats, the first thing to do is determine what ingredient is the culprit. Checking the ingredient list is the first step to know what you are reacting to, but the only way to know for sure is to visit a doctor and do a patch allergy test.
Depending on where you live though, that can be quite expensive so if you think it is one of the chemical sunscreens you are allergic to, use physical sun blockers instead. I know that sometimes they can leave an unappealing white cast or be too thick, so experiment until you find the one for you. And in any case, isn’t that a small price to pay to protect your skin against all the devastating damage the sun can do?
I’ve tried a physical sunblock and I still had a negative reaction. What now?
Well, Titanium Dioxide and Zinc Oxide haven’t been reported to cause contact dermatitis but if you’re experiencing a negative reaction there could be a couple of reasons. Sometimes, these ingredients are used together with chemical absorbers, so it’s possible that it’s to those you are reacting to. Or maybe it’s the fragrance or one of the other ingredients. Check the label to see if you can discover the culprit and try something else instead like an unscented sunscreen that only contain physical blockers.
Another thing you could do is apply the sunscreen on a part of your body that won’t be exposed to sunlight. That’s because, like mentioned above, sometimes the allergy is caused by a combination of sunlight and sunscreen lotion. So if you apply a small amount of sunscreen on your arm and wear a long-sleeved top for example and your skin is fine, you know your problem is not caused by the sunscreen, but by the sunlight. If this is the case, you should consult a doctor to determine how you can protect yourself from the sun efficiently without side effects.
Are you allergic to sunscreen? Feel free to share your experience (or anything else you want) in the comments!
{ 37 comments… read them below or add one }
I can’t use chemical sunscreens at all. They sting and give me breakouts. I thought PABA is no longer used in sunscreen, right? My current sunblock contains titanium dioxide and zinc oxide, which is effective but gives me a white cast. I don’t have any problems with it but a lot of people have skin reaction, probably because of the other inactive ingredients.
.-= Dao´s last blog ..Lancer Dermatology Giveaway ($200 worth in prize) =-.
Hi Dao,
i read your comments about being allergic to sunscreens. what product/brand sunscreen do you? i’m highly allergic to sunscreen. i break out in rashes when i apply. i try to use baby sunscreen but oftens times, i still break out.
please let me know.
Q
I’m allergic to the chemical in sunscreen as well. Mine changed after a bio lab experiment. I had a reaction and then I couldn’t use sunscreen afterwards. :/
.-= Ahleessa´s last blog ..L’oreal Volume Shocking Mascara =-.
Dao, that’s too bad. But at least you can use physical blockers. Despite the white cast, I prefer them to the synthetic sunscreens. As for PABA, I think it isn’t used anymore. Maybe some cheap brand could still use it, but that’s very rare since most people react badly to it.
Ahleessa, I’m sorry, that’s awful. Have you tried using Zinc Oxide or Titanium Dioxide? They shouldn’t cause you any reaction.
I breakout with sunscreen as well, but am not sure what it is that is causing it…i tried hypoallergenic, and same problem… Zinc oxide, do you mean using it on its own? See I dont need sunscreen, my daughter does, and i get the reaction from hers…is there anything safe and uv protected for a child????
Char_333 sadly hypoallergenic doesn’t mean anything. It’s impossible to make sure a cosmetic ingredient won’t give a negative reaction to someone but companies like to print that on the labels to make people believe their products are gentler when they’re not. You should check the ingredient list to see if the ingredients at the top are comedogenic and once you find the culprit, avoid it.
About Zinc Oxide, I mean using a sunscreen which lists it as an active ingredient. It protects skin against UVA and UVB rays and it’s gentler than chemical sunscreen agents so it’s less likely to cause negative reactions. However, it is slightly comedogenic can clog pores and cause breakouts in some very sensitive people. If pimples are your problem than maybe you’re better off with a sunscreen that contains both chemical and physical blockers.
And everyone needs sunscreen, even you. You should wear it every day even if it rains or snow or the sun damage will add up and cause premature aging and sun spots. Hope this helps.
Thanks so much for the information and the quick reply!
I will look for a sunscreen for myself and my daughter that meet that criteria… Thanks again
Char_333 you’re welcome. I’m glad I could help.
I am also struggling with allergy reaction to sunscreen lotion. I am frustrated. I am planning a wedding this summer and i am trying hard to avoid getting a reaction. My skin burns and blister after contact with sunscreen, even if i just touch a rail or anyone that has it on. This has been my problem for 9 years now. After my breakout i don’t know what to use or even what to use on my skin to protect me from the sun or from getting a breakout. Please give me some advice. I am trying zincofax cream the same stuff you put on babies bumb. It seems to dry it up a bit but i am need to use somthing that stop the breakouts. Where do i get physical blockers, and am pretty sure it the paraben am allergic to but i need sunscreen for my kids when they are out in the sun.
Donnette, I’m sorry to hear you have such an awful reaction to sunscreen. Parabens are preservatives used in a wide variety of beauty products so if you can’t use them I guess there are also lots of other cosmetics and skincare items you can’t use. If it’s the parabens you are allergic to, then choose products that don’t use them by checking the ingredient list.
If it is an active ingredient in the sunscreen instead, it’s probably a chemical filter so you would need to use physical blockers (ie Titanium Dioxide and Zinc Oxide) instead. Just check the ingredient lists of sunscreen and buy one that contains one or both of these ingredients and no chemical filters at all as some contain both types of sunscreen agents. If you’re still having problems with physical blockers as well then it would be best to consult a dermatologist and see what he recommends you use.
Hope this helps.
im allergic to the suncreens and dont know what else to use…my friend told me that you can use some of the lotions to protect you from the rays but i dont know if its true
Yasmin, I’m sorry to hear that. By lotions do you mean moisturizers with SPF? Because they would offer some protection, even though just minimal, but they contain the same ingredients as sunscreen. Do you know what sunscreen ingredient you are allergic to? Usually the synthetic ones are those that cause problems, so I would look for a sunscreen that contain only Zinc Oxide and/or Titanium Dioxide, which are physical blockers that protect both from UVA and UVB rays. If you still have problems, then you could be allergic to the way the sun reacts with your sunscreen, in which case it is better to consult a dermatologist. Hope this helps.
I react to most sunscreens, and some insect repellents and quite alot of moisturisers and skin cleaners and general creams…. I have found sunscreens that don’t make my skin rash, but it would be helpful to know what not to look for before we have to buy lots of different bottles to find an ok one. All the names are so long and scientific!
Laura, I’m sorry you react badly to some many products. It must be very frustrating trying to find products that work well for you especially when the ingredients have such long and complicated names. It’s hard to say what you are reacting to without doing allergies test but most chemical sunscreen ingredients can cause irritations and allergies, so I’d suggest you use sunscreens with physical blockers, namely Titanium Dioxide and Zinc Oxide. Also, fragrance can be a very irritating ingredients so I would opt for scent-free products. Hope this helps.
Hello,
A few years ago I experienced a severe acute onset allergic reaction (dermatitis- pustules and rash). It covered my face and neck and chest. Since then I have learned that when I don’t use products with Parabens I am fine. The only thing I am still trying to figure out is even when I use Paraben-free sunscreen I am still getting the reaction. What is confusing is that I only get the rash on my face and chest, no where else that I have also applied the sunscreen. This is getting really annoying because I love being out in the sun and I’m only wearing the sunscreen because I don’t want to damage my skin (I have never burned in my life). I know not wearing sunscreen is not a safe option. I almost want to say that it sounds like a phototoxic reaction but then I can’t rule it out as such because it doesn’t happen all the time. It only seems to be most problematic when I go on vacation to warmer climates (I’m from up north). I don’t think the physical blockers would be a good choice for me since I am really prone to breaking out. If you have any suggestions on products to try that would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!
Houndstoothgirl, I’m sorry to hear this, it’s awful! And it must be very frustrating for you. It could be a phototoxic reaction but since you mentioned that it doesn’t happen all the time, and that it happens on your face and chest, maybe it’s the combination of the sunscreen and some other product you use on your skin that’s causing the reaction. Like, the sunscreen you use is ok on its own, but when it reacts with your moisturizer or foundation or whatever other product you wear on your skin, the allergic reaction occurs? Since you said that it happens more in warmer climates, do you by any chance use different products on vacation? A different moisturizer perhaps? But if sunscreen is the only think you apply on your skin, then I’m not really sure what to suggest bar going to a doctor and have some allergy tests done.
I’m not really sure what products to suggest since you don’t wanna use physical blockers. Mexoryl is a chemical ingredient (found in L’Oreal sunscreen mostly as they patented it) that shouldn’t cause any allergic reaction but then I think most of the products with it contains some parabens and you can’t use those… But if you manage to find one without, that would be the best choice for you imo. Although I also think you should consult a doctor as he/she will be better able to determine the best products for you to use.
I’m pretty sure at this point that I’m allergic to the stearyl alcohol/stearic acid in sunscreen, which is also in all other lotions because it’s a standard emulsifier. I just developed the allergy a few months ago, and whenever I use sunscreen, lotion, some types of conditioner, or moisturizing soap, I get itchy bumps in that area. I burn very easily and I used to wear sunscreen every day, but now I just can’t take it.
Molly, I’m really sorry to hear that, it’s awful. That’s such a popular ingredient and so it’s not easy to find good products that don’t contain it. But at least you know what to avoid..
I’m really, really allergic to chemical sunscreens too – and I’ve been dealing with summertime break outs for the last ten years! It’s always a reaction to coming in contact with other people wearing chemical sunscreens that gets me.
But there are a few products for me and my family to wear that won’t cause me a week’s worth of agony:
1. Neutrogena sensitive skin sunscreen lotion spf 60
The Active Ingredients are: Titanium Dioxide 4.9%, Zinc Oxide 4.7%
2. A French product called: Kibio Solaire Fluide Protecteur Corps, spf 20
The Active Ingredients are: Titanium Dioxide 8%, Zinc Oxide 2.9%
Although they both leave a little bit of a white cast to your skin, it’s a small price to pay to skip the painful allergic reaction and still get UV protection.
Kim, I’m sorry to hear about your allergy, but I’m glad you’ve found some products that work for you. And thanks for sharing them, I’m sure other people who are allergic to chemical sunscreens will find your recommendations helpful. And I agree with you, the white cast is a small price to pay for the benefits.
This is the problem that I have. I use sunscreen and go out and tan and a few hours later or maybe a day later, my skin would have a irritating rash on it almost like sunburn but more rashy feeling on my face, shoulders and arms. what to do? what kind of sunscreen can i use?
Christy, I’m sorry to hear that, it’s awful! I think your best bet would be to use a sunscreen with zinc oxide, which doesn’t irritate skin and provides broad spectrum protection on its own.
I am very disappointed that I am no longer able to get PABA-based sunscreens. They worked great and never caused anyone in my family any problems. PABA is a B vitamin. Almost all new sunscreens contain salicilates which makes people bleed, including me. 25 years ago, I took part in a 6 week research test for sunscreens. I had indicated that I am allergic to ASA and should not have been allowed to take part. To this day, I have severe itching in the areas on my back where the sunscreens were applied. The dermatologist to whom the company sent me ridiculed me, telling me that the symptoms were imaginary. Some of the women in the test had severe bleeding, but were not pulled from the test until their wounds festered. I will never again take part in a research test.
Traute, I’m so sorry to hear that! What a terrible experience!
I am a man trying to take care of his skin but everthing that has spf scares me. In the past my reactions were so bad that even my lips broke out in terrible rashes, it was agonizing my face swelled and got red, I try PABA free, Baby spf thinking that would do the trick, I think I have tried zink but nothing works. my arms get bumpy and tender and my face swells up so badly that I am embarrased to go anywhere. it’s strarting to get sunny and hot where I live, can a vented hat and sun glasses be enough?
Brian, I’m so sorry to hear about your problem. That’s really awful!
Hat and glasses will definitely help, but they won’t be able to protect the rest of the face and other areas that should be exposed to the sun. You said that you tried sunscreen with zinc oxide, but that it didn’t work either. Did you check the label to see if other sunscreen agents were present in the lotion? Cos sometimes zinc oxide is used with other ingredients and you may have reacted to one of those.
But if the only sunscreen agent the product contained was zinc oxide, then I’d try to apply it on a small area of the body that’s not exposed to the sun and see if you still get an allergic reaction. If you don’t, then the problem is not caused by the sunscreen but by sunlight and you should consult a doctor to find out what you can do about it. Hope this helps.
I am allergic to all sunscreens, both chemical and physical blockers. I have tried titanium dioxide only and zinc oxide only sunscreens and they both cause an allergic reaction whether I spend time in the sun or not. I do have atopic dermatitis, so I know genetically my skin barrier is not as good as others, even when I do not have active outbreaks. I even tried mineral make-up which has some sunblock protective properties as well as plain zinc oxide powder – but these both of these caused a terrible rash. So, my skin is so much calmer and clearer when I do not wear sunblock. Just wanted to let people know that even minerals are allergenic. I have to stick with hats and sunglasses and sun avoidance. Surprisingly despite not being able to wear sunscreen my skin looks much better than most people my age, so sunscreen is not the only thing that protects people from photo-aging. Healthy diet plays a big role too. Curious if others have experienced this as well.
Fiona, I’m sorry to hear you’re allergic to all types of sunscreens and thanks for sharing your experience. Sunscreen is very important in preventing premature aging, but so is diet I agree. Eating healthily helps a lot too.
It seems that I am not only allergic to sunscreens but most lip products as well. I cannot use Chapstick or Blistex or even the all-natural Burt’s Bees products. Carmex and Vaseline are the only products I can use on my lips. I don’t have a reaction to sunscreen anywhere but my lips and I somehow managed to get some on my face while sunbathing the other day. My lips swell up, turn brigher red than a baboon’s backside and ooze. It’s a painful and embarrassing reaction. I’m typing this out while holding an ice pack to my lips. It’s the only thing that keeps the swelling and weeping down.
KinaMorii, I’m so sorry to hear that! That’s really terrible and must be frustrating too. I wish there was something I could do to help, but I’m glad that you managed to find a couple of products that work well for you.
I am wondering if more people are allergic to titanium dioxide than is known at this point. I am allergic to it–it makes my face itch, feel tight and dry, my eyes water, and a rash begins. Octoxinate produces similar symptoms but not quite as extreme. Ethylhexyl methoxicinnimate makes my eyes water like crazy! I just read a dermatologist’s comment that putting sunscreen in makeup is next to useless because foundation, for example, is applied too thinly and often not to all areas of the face. Further, it is not applied frequently enough. With the prevalence of titanium dioxide in makeup (look at mineral makeup!), it may be that more and more women become sensitive to it. I, too, wish PABA were still used as I did not have a reaction to that. Zinc Oxide is the one I do best with but I can’t use it every day or my skin reacts. I’m not a sun worshipper and I don’t burn easily, so I don’t worry about it that much.
Julia, I’m really sorry to hear that, how awful! As far as I know Titanium Dioxide does not cause allergies but I guess that, as its use is becoming widespread and more and more people use it, some could become sensitive to it. And that dermatologist is right. You have to apply several layers of foundations and powders to get the SPF stated on the packaging, which is not really possible to do anyway. I hope you’ll be able to find a sunscreen that work for you soon.
I don’t use sunscreen at all any more. I just make sure that I cover when the sun is high in the sky, about 11:30 to 2:30, especially from June to August. That works fine for me. Haven’t had a sunburn in 20 years.
The claim that PABA is no longer used because of allergic reactions seems to be the pharmaceutical industry’s attempt sell their chemical products. As everyone should know by now, the Canadian government has several times attempted to pass a bill which will make the selling and even growing of natural products illegal. If I continue to teach people the benefits of medicinal herbs, I will be put in jail. I have read the proposed bill. Most people do not believe that any government would do that. They will wake up when it is too late.
Traute Klein, I’m sorry to hear that. I believe there are studies showing that lots of people are allergic to PABA, which doesn’t surprise me because when something is widely used, then more and more people will become sensitive to it. I think that’s what will happen in the future with PABA alternatives that are becoming more and more common nowadays.
Also, news of that bill doesn’t surprise me at all. I have heard of a bill in the US that, in an attempt to get rid of all potential (not proven) carcinogens, de facto, if it passes, would ban a lot of natural substances as they contain these dangerous compounds. Only that when their amount is minuscule they aren’t dangerous at all and these plants usually contain other compounds that make the “dangerous” ones totally innocuous anyway. But sadly governments don’t understand science and neither do most people. They get scared when they hear that an ingredient is toxic without researching whether these claims are true or false. Unfortunately they’ll realise their errors only when it is too late.
I’ve recently been doing research about sunscreens after my 21 month old broke out in blisters and hives from two different sunscreens. I want to point out that just because the active ingredient in a sunscreen is titanium oxide or zinc oxide does not mean that it won’t contain other chemicals in the inactive ingredients that will break you out. The sunblock we found that worked for my son is Seventh Generations Baby Sunscreen. It is a new product that I’ve only found online. It contains more natural ingredients and on the plus side doesn’t stink like typical sunscreen. It has a light citrusy smell. I hope that helps someone.
Katelyn, I’m sorry to hear that and you’re absolutely right. Any ingredients in sunscreens can cause a negative reaction, thanks for the remainder. And also thanks for sharing what works for your son. I’m sure that will help other people with the same problem.