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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To wonder how I can be allergic to every suncream out there?

52 replies

OhSoggyBiscuit · 22/05/2016 18:54

So yet again I find myself having a bad allergic reaction to yet another suncream- this time Nivea. I've tried Boots's own, Tesco's own, Piz Buin- all caused a awful rash.

Am I doomed to a skin reaction once every summer or having to wear a sweatshirt in the middle of summer to stop burning?? :(

OP posts:
scarednoob · 22/05/2016 18:56

My friend was like this - expensive but the solution is Lancaster sun cream - you could try that? She swears by it

weeblueberry · 22/05/2016 18:57

Have you tried Lush's offerings? They've got a liquid, powder and a soap you use all over that provides UV protection.

Emochild · 22/05/2016 18:58

Go cheap

Aldi sun cream is the only one I don't react to

Quite often the more expensive the sun cream, the bigger the reaction

PegsPigs · 22/05/2016 18:58

My DD was too. She's fine with Green People but that's really thick and not very practical. So we use Ultrasun as a family. Blooming expensive but brilliant.

Original poster
OhSoggyBiscuit · 22/05/2016 18:58

Trouble is, I'm also on a limited budget and don't want to pay out the nose for a suncream I may or may not react to. The ones I've tried before were at least semi cheap so not too much out of pocket!

OP posts:
bringmelaughter · 22/05/2016 18:58

Sunsense kids, expensive though I'm afraid.

frenchielala · 22/05/2016 18:58

Try out Bioderma - they sell it at Boots and it is the only brand that doesn't make me itch. I think the whole brand is formulated around sensitive skin.

happypoobum · 22/05/2016 18:59

DS gets a horrible rash using anything except Avon Sensitive.

BusStopBetty · 22/05/2016 19:01

Are you absolutely sure it's the cream and not an allergy to the sun?

Ultrasun might send you a sample if you ask. It's dear, but brilliant.

idontlikealdi · 22/05/2016 19:01

Piz buin allergy is great for me and it helps with my PLE.

NaraDeer · 22/05/2016 19:05

The only one me and DD aren't allergic to is La Roche-Possay but that is £10/15.

LyndaNotLinda · 22/05/2016 19:06

Have you tried no sunscreen? ie is it the sunscreen or the sun that's actually causing your reaction? I have a condition called polymorphic light eruption which is exacerbated by sunscreen.

What helps me is a) a course of sunbed treatment at the start of summer which seems to stop my body going into overdrive (I don't have enough to get a tan - about 10 sessions of 3 mins should do it) and b) Piz Buin Allergy sunscreen. I have tried a lot of more expensive sunscreens but they all make it worse

Original poster
OhSoggyBiscuit · 22/05/2016 19:06

It might be BusStopBetty. I did get mildly sunburnt on my face from being out on water canoeing. But it also happened last year and I'm sure I wasn't sunburnt then.

OP posts:
hollie11 · 22/05/2016 19:08

I used to think I got prickly heat every year (it wasn't, I was allergic to suncream i was using!) it ruined many holidays for me. I now use boots soltan sensitive. It has high uva protection (which is usually the problem) and comes in factor 30 and 50 so maybe try that. It's £9 a bottle and is currently on a buy one get one half price offer. I find my skin is fine if I use this (I always apply it before I go out in the sun as my skin starts to itch almost immediately if I don't). Try using dettol soap to bathe with before/after as it is extremely mild and non irritating. Good luck.

derektheladyhamster · 22/05/2016 19:08

You need to cross check the ingredients, and find the ingredient you are sensitive to, then check it against anything new. You might find them on cosdna.com

HarlettOScara · 22/05/2016 19:08

I react to most of the big brand sun creams but have always been fine with Simple and the Sensitive versions of Soltan and Ambre Solaire. Ultrasun is my preferred one but its pricey.

YoureAllABunchOfBastards · 22/05/2016 19:09

DS1 is the same and I was as a kid - Uvistat is the best one for him now.

fourcorneredcircle · 22/05/2016 19:10

*Are you absolutely sure it's the cream and not an allergy to the sun?
*

I used to react like this too whenever I wore suncream - which I only started when I moved from NW England to a hot, sunny climate. I thought I was allergic to the cream too (although i have no other allergies to products). Turns out it's the sun... I reacted so badly because since I was wearing cream, I was also wearing fewer clothes. Now I stay in the shade or wear ankle to wrist clothing and a hat/head scarf. No more reactions (or beach holidays).

Savagebeauty · 22/05/2016 19:10

I have. Polymorphic light eruption too plus pustular rosacea in the sun Sad
I just stay out of the sun...use Ultrasun on my arms but always cover chest up.

Original poster
OhSoggyBiscuit · 22/05/2016 19:10

I think tomorrow a doctor's appointment to have a chat about my skin is in order.

I think I know I'm already sensitive to parabens- I tried a Nivea moisturiser a couple of years ago that brought me out in a awful rash.

OP posts:
fourcorneredcircle · 22/05/2016 19:12

Hello LyndanotLinda... Me too!

Cakescakescakes · 22/05/2016 19:14

Ultrasun is the only one that doesn't cause me prickly heat. I have lots of skin allergies :( And it doesn't aggravate ds's eczema either so we all use it. It has a much longer shelf life than other sun cream so no need to throw it away at the end of the summer if not finished.

They sell it on QVC where you have a 30 day money back guarantee. So if you buy it and are allergic you can just send it back and get a full refund. You don't get refunded the postage cost but you would get the total price of the cream back again. It is expensive though but this might allow you to test it. Or worth emailing or tweeting Ultrasun themselves to see about a sample?

hollie11 · 22/05/2016 19:14

Also last year I had a few sunbeds before I went away - 3/4 mins every other day for a couple of weeks. I had some itching immediately after for a couple of days but no itching at all on holiday (and quite a nice Base tan!) I wouldn't have sunbeds usually though.......before I get told off for bad advice! I just seem to react when my skin is exposed to sun for the first time in the year.....Maybe I'm part vampire Grin

Naty1 · 22/05/2016 19:14

Dd seems to react to nivea.
She seems to come out in what looks like sunburn/slapped cheek. Except she had suntan lotion on and it was more rash like. Also it wasnt hot to the touch. We use nivea though not sure which one she is reacting to.

LyndaNotLinda · 22/05/2016 19:16

Uvistat is dreadful for me.

Miserable isn't it four? But really, the course of sunbeds works miracles. And it means I can wear whatever I want and go anywhere I want. I've been trekking in the Andes which I never would have been able to do before I tried the sunbed thing