Allergies To Sunscreens

How To Recognize A Skin Allergy?

The symptoms of a skin allergy can be quite varied but in general we can observe: redness, irritation, tingling or burning sensations, small pimples, feelings of dryness or tightness .

These symptoms can appear immediately after application of a product but also several days after or even years after. Indeed, allergies are complex and random phenomena, impossible to predict. Like food or respiratory allergies, it’s often hard to find the culprit (s).
Also be careful not to confuse allergy to the sun product and allergy to the sun ! The symptoms sometimes merge.

Who Can Be Responsible?

Among chemical (or synthetic) sunscreens, we can cite the following molecules which are often the cause of allergic reactions of the skin:

• Oxybenzone (BENZOPHENONE-1 or -2 or -3)
• Avobenzone (BUTYL METHOXYDIBENZOYLMETHANE)
• Cinnamates (ETHYLHEXYL CINNAMATE)

In addition to their high allergenic capacity, they are increasingly criticized for their potential endocrine disrupting and ecotoxic effect (see our dedicated article).

Other molecules can be the cause of allergy in sun products, such as perfumes if they contain photosensitizing components for example. It will then be important to ensure that the fragrances used in sun products are well formulated without photosensitizing and phototoxic substances . Also, all perfumes contain allergens, so you have to be vigilant if you know you are allergic to one of them (and only in this case).

How To Avoid Them?

The easiest way is to turn to certified organic sun products . Indeed, the organic standard prohibits all synthetic sun filters and only the 2 mineral sun filters are authorized: titanium dioxide and zinc oxide . By choosing these products, you have the assurance of never being in contact with its molecules and of drastically limiting the allergenic power of your products.

Be careful, even if mineral filters are generally very well tolerated and even recommended for children or allergic / intolerant people, this does not mean that it is impossible to have a reaction. As explained above, allergies are very complex and you are never completely safe from triggering a skin reaction.

If you know the responsible molecule (s), be sure to remember their names so that you can look them up in the INCI list or contact us directly for advice if you have any doubts.

As you will have understood, there is no risk of 0, even if you choose a high quality, certified organic sun product. The best solution in this case is not to expose yourself to the sun and to use mechanical protection methods such as clothing, a hat, etc.