SPF for sensitive skin | edit 1

There is nothing worse than using a product that is meant to protect your skin and in a way help your skin but it turns to be breaking you out. Well the reason of me talking about this topic is I have sensitive skin and most sunscreens break me out. Hot weather is a nightmare for my face as my cheeks (specially where I have large pores) get red, irritated and inflamed.

Anyways I’ll keep this post short by introducing two types of sunscreen or spf (sun protection factor) – one with physical barrier which contain zinc oxide and titanium oxide. These sunscreens reflect harmful UVA and UVB rays away from the skin and usually leave white marks. The other type of sunscreen have chemical filters which absorb UVA and UVB rays and convert them to Infrared heat waves.

Chemical filters tend to cause the most problems for sensitive skin. “People with sensitive skin should avoid these ingredients because they penetrate the dermis causing chemical reactions in an already compromised skin. The mast cells in the skin will release histamine, which will cause inflammation and irritation,” says SP&Co’s Esthetician and skin specialist Sherron Holder-Culver.

My sensitive skin girls should look out for the following ingredients:

• PABA( para-aminobenzoic acid), which is a para-aminobenzoate, a UVB protector. They will be listed as one of the following:
• Amino benzoic acid, glyceryl amino benzoate, Ethyl-4-bis amino benzoate, Amyl dimethyl PABA, Glceryl PABA, Ethyl dihydroxypropyl PABA and Octyl dimethyl PABA (2-ethylhexyl dimethyl PABA).
• Avoid salicylates, they are similar to aspirin; look out for Octyl salicylate (2-ethylhexyl salicylate), Homosalate (HMS or homomenthyl salicylate, and Triethanolamine salicylate.
• Avoid cinnamates (anything ending in cinnamate).
• Avoid Benzophenones, Avobenzone (Butyl methoxyl-dibenzoylmethane) or anything ending with benzophenone.

“Also look out for trade names such as: Any Eusolex with various numbers at the end, Helioplex, Meradimate, Parsol 1789, Sunzerse OT,” explains Sherron.

Look out for fragrance or perfume/parfum in your sunscreen. Perfume -free sunscreen have less chances of irritating your skin.

The key ingredients to look for any skincare or cosmetic product are “sensitive skin-safe,” “dermatologist tested,” “hypoallergenic,” and “fragrance-free.”

Natural broad spectrum physical barrier sunscreens are recommended for sensitive skin. Physical barrier sunscreens contain zinc oxide as one of the major ingredient but it is not water resistant so mixing it with shea butter helps. Vitamin E and Mulberry leaf extract are another natural broad spectrum barriers that reflect UVA and UVB rays.

Some of the good sunscreens for intolerant and sensitive skin in the market are listed below:

• Ultrasun Very High Protection Sun Cream for Ultra Sensitive Skin SPF50+ | £20 for 100ml | Buy here
• La Roche Posay Anthelios XL 50+ | £14.49 for 100ml | Buy here
• Eau Thermale Avène Antirougeurs Jour Redness-Relief Moisturising Protecting Cream SPF 20 | £13.05 for 50ml | Buy here
• Avène Cream SPF50+ for intolerant skin | £13.50 for 50ml | Buy here
• Piz Buin Allergy Lotion SPF50+ | £12 for 200ml | Buy here
• Clinique City Block Sheer SPF 25 | £18 for 40ml | Buy here
• Bioderma Photoderm Mineral Spray SPF 50+ | £13.80 for 100gms | Buy here

Always do a patch test just to make sure you are not allergic to the product or it doesn’t worsen your problem. We all have different skin so we all react differently to certain products. The above information can be used as a guide though.

Hope you liked this post and are more aware about ingredients that should be avoided for sensitive skin. Let me know if you want me to test and review any of the products listed above. Do you have any recommendations for me to check out? Let me know in the comments below. Also, kindly leave your blog address or instagram id below your comments so that I can connect with you 🙂

Loads of love,
Ash

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You might want to read my latest post on makeup base for Summer: Urban Decay One & Done Hybrid skin perfector 

p.s. Info from getthegloss.com