After a day of fun in the sun, it's sometimes not surprising to see redness and feel the uncomfortable itchiness that comes with it. But this isn't necessarily due to missing a few spots with your sunscreen or forgetting to reapply (remember, it's crucial to properly apply SPF every 90 minutes or so when you're enjoying some time outdoors). It could actually be an allergic reaction to your sunscreen.
How common is it really to make people allergic to sunscreen? "Rare!" says Rachel NazarianMD, a board-certified dermatologist at Schweiger Dermatology Group in New York City. "Some ingredients 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 contact allergy)."
In fact, Audrey KounineMD, founder of DERMAdocteurindicates that generally less than one percent of people are allergic to sunscreen. Read on to learn more about what sunscreen allergies are, how to detect them and what to do about them.
Meet the expert
- Rachel NazarianMD, is a board-certified dermatologist with the Schweiger Dermatology Group in New York City.
- Audrey KounineMD, is a board-certified dermatologist in Kansas City and the founder of DERMAdocteur.
What is a sunscreen allergy?
A sunscreen allergy is exactly what it sounds like: it's when someone has an allergic reaction to sunscreen. "Just as anyone can have a food allergy or sensitivity, anyone can be allergic or sensitive to any of the many ingredients found in sunscreens or any other skin care product," says Nazarian. Here are the different types of sunscreen allergies:
- Sensitive skin: Most often, people with sensitive skin find some of the ingredients in sunscreen irritating. "It's not so much a real allergic, but if the skin is particularly inflamed, dry or already irritated by something else, they may be more likely to have a reaction when they apply their sunscreen," Nazarian says.
- Contact Allergy: "A true allergy triggers a different type of immunological reaction in the body, and continuing to apply an ingredient you're allergic to will only make the symptoms worse each time," Nazarian says. "Some people can be so allergic that they blister when they come in contact with the offending ingredient."
- Photo contact allergy: This type of allergy requires that the offending ingredient be exposed to sunlight to activate the allergic reaction. "As you can imagine, this is quite problematic when most people use sunscreens to spend more time in the sun," Nazarian says.
Signs and symptoms of a sunscreen allergy
A sunscreen allergy can appear as hives, with red, raised welts, as well as itching and rashes, according to Kunin.
"There are overlapping signs from all categories," Nazarian says. "A mild allergy may initially look like a sensitivity. For a basic irritant sensitivity, the skin is often just a little pink and inflamed, but can vary depending on the condition of your skin that day. Well-moisturized, healthier, stronger skin, for example, may feel little to no irritation from contact with ingredients. But at another time, when the 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, Nazarian explains. With repeated exposure, the reaction will become more and more vigorous, and itching can occur much sooner and more quickly after application.
Who is at risk of allergy to sunscreens?
While technically anyone can be allergic to sunscreens, some people are more prone to them than others. "Anyone with asthma, hay fever or atopic eczema may be more sensitive and at risk for allergies to the chemical ingredients in sunscreen," warns Kunin.
While having sensitive skin increases the risk of being irritated by sunscreen, this is different from a "contact allergy," which is a different immunological response, Nazarian explains.
Ingredients that can trigger allergies to sunscreens
"In reality, any of the ingredients can cause an allergy, but the most common are methoxycinnamate, benzophenone-2, benzophenone-3 and the one known as PABA," Nazarian explains.
In addition, Kunin recommends avoiding dibenzoylmethanes. Delicate skin tones will want to avoid fragrances and dyes, which are the most common source of allergies to skin care ingredients.
If you have sensitive skin, it's a good idea to apply a small amount to an inconspicuous area, like your wrist or behind your ear, to see if you have a reaction. "You might be sensitive or allergic to one of the many different ingredients in the sunscreen, not just the active ingredient, so if you notice a reaction, that would be the best time to go for a skin test with your certified dermatologist," Nazarian says.
Sunscreens to help prevent reactions
Kunin recommends opting for physical blockers containing zinc oxide or titanium dioxide for those who may have sensitive skin or think they may have an allergy to sunscreens. Coming up, a few choices backed by experts.
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"What I love about this sunscreen is that it's really lightweight and combined with anti-inflammatory ingredients like niacinamide, which makes it more tolerable for many sensitive skin types," says Nazarian. "It's also great for all skin tones, including darker skin types, because it blends beautifully."
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One of Kunin's picks, this lightweight mineral sunscreen doubles as a moisturizer. Designed to work with most skin types, it is enriched with blueberry to help protect skin from infrared-induced free radical damage to prevent the signs of aging. It also contains winter cherry to protect skin from blue light and pollution.
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"In addition to being purely mineral, using titanium and zinc to block ultraviolet rays, it's a good option because it glides on very easily, works well under makeup similar to a primer and is non-greasy, leaving a matte finish," Nazarian says. "It's also fragrance-free for those who are easily irritated by fragrance."
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Popular with dermatologists, including Kunin, this mineral-based sunscreen is infused with hyaluronic acid to promote moisture retention and fight fine lines. Fragrance-free and paraben-free, the formula is ideal for sensitive skin.
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"What I like about this sunscreen is that it contains only physical blockers, ideal for people who are really allergic to chemical blockers or who might have a higher risk of irritation from chemical ingredients," Nazarian says. "It applies really smoothly and it's fragrance-free and allergy tested."
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It's easy to forget the eye area when applying sunscreen. That's why Kunin chose this choice from its own line. The multitasker does more than provide sun protection, it moisturizes, illuminates, blends, brightens and smoothes as well.
The last takeaway
When in doubt about sunscreen allergies, consult your dermatologist. "We have many tools to determine if you have an allergy and to identify any of the many potential ingredients that could be causing it," Nazarian says. "In addition, we'll have a long list of recommendations for products you can use and ingredients that would be safe given the limitations you may have.
