Sunscreen Allergies Exist and These Ingredients Are the Culprits

Always check the ingredients list!

BY JULIA BENITO

Sunscreen Allergies Exist and These Ingredients Are the Culprits — Photo by BATCH by Wisconsin Hemp Scientific on Unsplash

By now, we’re sure you’re sick of hearing us repeat this: sunscreen is essential for good skin. We know you get it. We promise not to harass you with information overload on why sunscreen is necessary again — for now. However, while we’ll always recommend wearing sunscreen daily, it’s good to remember that not all sunscreens are made the same. If you have more sensitive skin, it may not be the best idea to just grab the first sunscreen you see off the shelf of your grocery store — especially without looking at the ingredients list first.

If you find yourself getting bad reactions to sunscreen, chances are, you may be allergic to some of the ingredients. Tedious as it may be, reading the ingredients list every time before purchasing sunscreen may just save you a lot of irritation. Now, we know how dizzying it can be to try and decipher which ingredients are good or bad given their long, scientific names. So, we cracked down on the main culprits we think may be causing your sunscreen allergies to help you save time on Googling.

Check Sunscreen ingredients before use — Photo by Juriel Majeed on Unsplash

Chemical vs Physical Sun Care

Before diving into ingredients, it’s important to know the difference between chemical and physical sun care, as they’re formulated differently.

Essentially, chemical sunscreens are made from carbon-based compounds that absorb into the skin, absorb UV rays, and prevent these rays from passing through These are typically good choices for occasions where sun care that absorbs quickly into the skin would be beneficial — swimming and other sports, for example. The active ingredients in chemical sunscreens include avobenzone, octinoxate, and oxybenzone.

Physical sunblock, on the other hand, contains mineral ingredients that sit on top of the skin and reflect the sun’s rays. These can feel heavier, as they do not absorb fully into the skin, but can also feel more moisturizing. Though these are typically less irritating in nature, they are also less popular due to their tendencies to leave a white cast. With physical sunblock, you’ll find titanium dioxide and zinc oxide as the main active ingredients.

If you have a known history of eczema, skin allergies, or sensitive skin, it may be a good idea to stick to physical mineral-only sunblock to avoid a potential reaction.

Sunscreen Ingredients that May Cause Allergic Reactions

Common ingredients in chemical sunscreens that may cause allergic reactions are:

· oxybenzone (benzophenone-3)

· dibenzoylmethanes

· cinnamates

· benzophenones

How to Check for Sunscreen Allergies

While it’s not guaranteed that the inclusion of these ingredients will cause an allergic reaction, it’s never a bad thing to be cautious — especially when it comes to your skin. As with other skincare, doing a patch test is a great way to check for irritation. Apply the sunscreen to a small portion of your skin and observe for a few days to see how your skin reacts.