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

[OhSoggyBiscuit]

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?? :(

[ChaseAvenal]

Have you tried the oil spray type ones? I react to a lot of cream ones but fine with oils. But then you may be allergic to a different ingredient than me.

[PandoNoPants]

My skin is super sensitive, I have psoriasis and get polymorphic light eruption too! The only cream that works for me and keeps the breakouts to a minimum (PLE) is one by Insitut Esthederm - for sun allergies. It is pricey for a sun cream though.

If I go anywhere for a 2 week break, my GP gives me steroids to take along with heavy antihistamines and topical steroid cream.

Good luck with your GP. I wonder if there are any prescription sun creams for stuff like this?

[WorraLiberty]

I'm allergic to the sun.

I keep covered up, but I can't wear gloves so my hands break out in an itchy rash, if I don't wear total sunblock.

[SaveSomeSpendSome]

Another vote for ultrasun.

Its £20 a bottle. It lasts 2 years from opening. Marks and spencers sell it instore and online. If you wait for the 20% off periods then you will get it for £16.

My sister works there so when the 20% deals are on she gets an extra 20% staff discount so i buy it then and only pay £12.

[BeyondTellsEveryoneRealFacts]

Have you tried using lower factors? My skin is fine, so long as i dont use over a spf15

[inlovewithhubby]

Another ultrasun fan. Great for eczema (DD) and extremely sun sensitive, allergy prone skin (me). It seems expensive but it's once a day so you can divide the price by 3 because you'll apply only once rather than 3/4 times a day after towelling, swimming etc as you have to with standard creams. I've tried everything and this suits us all.

Friend gets allergy to the sun and she swears by Lancaster too.

[margaritasbythesea]

I'm very sensitive, very fair and allergic to the sun. Piz buin allergy or ultrasun sensitive work for me.

[fourcorneredcircle]

Lynda I mentioned trying sunbeams to my GP and she recoiled in horror, it rather scared me off but perhaps I could try it. Out of interest, do you have anything you can trace it to? I had measles as a child and the rash is worst where I had the measles rash particularly badly (my nose and ears). I only started with PLE in my 20's a decade later (which is normal).

When I get it, I use antihistamines which at least distract me a little from the crazy itching.

[fourcorneredcircle]

Sunbeds! Not sunbeams! That's where the whole bloody problem is!!!

[bertsdinner]

Biscuit, have you tried Superdrug Solait? I get terrible hives and itching when I use some suncreams. I can't use Boots, and Ultrasun, supposedly for sensitive skin gave me awful, painful hives in Greece last year. My skin was raw when I came home.
Solait is fine on my skin, as is Avon sunscreen, plus they have good protection and I believe the Superdrug one is paraben free.
I dont know what they put in some of these creams, my skin isn't even that sensitive, I use most mainstream moisturisers, make up, toiletries, but some of these suncreams play havoc with my skin.

[Funko]

This stuff is amazing
www.suncarecentral.com/whyuse.asp

There's a table on here about the chemicals compared in normal brands.

I am in no way affiliated by the way. Discovered many years ago when on Thomas cook holidays. There was always a skin care rep there every day.

Both my son and exh react badly to some suncreams, both getting as rashes etc. They recommended this and I honestly think it is amazing. Plus... Best tan I ever had lol. Skin was in amazing condition.

[Greengagesummer]

Another vote for piz buin allergy if you have PLE.
Frequently BOGOF at Ocado, Waitrose/Boots/Sainsburys or cheap at Amazon, so get a couple if you can. They do a spray or a cream, SPF 30/50 & a special one for the face.
Use a sharpie to write date & month of opening on the bottle = top tip from Boots

[pickledparsnip]

Mainstream sun creams are full of absolute shite. No wonder your skin reacts to them. I use an organic hemp seed oil sun block, factor 30 for a tenner. Might be hippy shit, but it works and has no nasties in it.

[babsmam]

I wrote to ultrasun and subsense as my ds is allergic to all sorts of suncream and they both sent samples when I explained the issue and I wanted to try before I buy
I haven't rtft but thought it might help op

[miraclebabyplease]

My dd is allergic. She can use sun sense stuff. Very good.

[Bouncearound]

Toddler dd is allergic to so so many things. I've found the boots extra sensitive kids stuff is ok but the best one we use is the Aldi super sensitive one, which is only a couple of pounds.

[Kathysclown]

I have recently had bad eczema on my face (not sure what triggers it) but I live in a hot country, so I need to wear sun block. My dermatologist said to only use Cetaphil factor 50, as anything else might trigger a reaction. So far, Cetaphil seems fine. Not sure how expensive it would be in the Uk - here it is about the same as a
Standard tube of sun cream, but I have to ask the pharmacist for it.

[BerylStreep]

Are you using any medication? I found out recently that Naproxen is phototoxic.

[unlucky83]

You need to watch out for Methylisothiazolinone and related preservatives en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Methylisothiazolinone
It's use has been on the rise because of concerns about parabens.
It is being (or maybe has been now) banned in 'leave on' products like creams in the EU but it is still in things like shampoos - I react to it.
Also manufacturers change the formulation of products and don't necessarily say (NIvea face cream did this) so you need to check the label of the stuff you actually used and reacted to.

[PearSoup]

It is likely the metals they put in them. ZInc is often the culprit. We use a mid range organic one simply as it doesn't contain zinc.

[LyndaNotLinda]

Four - it started on a holiday to Brittany when I was about 10 I think. I remember standing in the shower and screaming wanting to rip my skin off :(

As well as piz buin, I'm also okay with P20 once a day. But again, only if I have the sunbeam treatment. Sorry, sunbed

[manzilkid]

I have found using a sunscreen with added insect repellent helps me, I use Soltan from Boots

[Monroe]

DD is allergic to suncream which is massively affected by the heat. I emailed numerous companies asking for samples last year, quite a few sent some out.

We did lots of patch tests and the best was ultrasun factor 30. On the advice of the gp we also give her 5ml antihistamine am and pm for the prickly heat when the weather starts warming up. Made a massive difference last year.

If you're on a budget I'd also recommend aldi own brand, we also tried an aloe based one we bought while on holiday which was also fine

[ChablisTyrant]

Another one here who uses a sunbed to reduce PLE. Works a treat... You only need a tiny bit of exposure- not enough to show a tan.

When testing suncreams I'd urge you to try them on a rainy day when you are inside so you can really establish whether you are allergic to an ingredient or whether the sun or heat is an irritant.

[Blackpoollassy]

Sounds like you need to be referred to a photo diagnosis clinic at one of the major dermatology centres. They can do lots of different tests to see what exactly it is that you are allergic to
Good you're going to the gp, hope they suggest this.