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Original poster

Solutions for extremely sun sensitive skin

29 replies

Hangingbellyofbabylon · 18/04/2011 00:14

My skin seems to have become very sensitive - I've been using factor 50 baby sunblock, re-applying regularly, trying to stay out of the sun but I keep catching the sun just generally walking around outside. Today I caught the sun and all 3 of my children,including dd3 who is very fair and has ginger hair did not. I am very glad they didn't get sunburnt but this just shows how sensitive my skin is. I have dark brown hair and a mid skin tone, certainly not extremely fair.

Any ideas of very very strong sunblocking products? also any ideas of why my skin has become so sun sensitive? I noticed it last summer but this year it seems even worse.

OP posts:
2BoysTooLoud · 18/04/2011 09:31

Are you taking any medication that night influence the way your skin reacts to sun? Some do.
[I'm having a bad skin day. Woke up all puffy eyed and I am sure I have suddenly aged..wrinkles and funny bumps etcs. In my 40s and my freckly skin finally letting me down!].
Back to you!!!! Good luck.

2BoysTooLoud · 18/04/2011 09:33

off to Tescos for cheap miracle cream...
Don't know about you but as I have got older the skin on my chest more prone to burning.

Bubbaluv · 18/04/2011 09:53

A hat?

2BoysTooLoud · 18/04/2011 11:55

I tend not to use expensive suncreams. [Super market own brands seem fine]. Have you changed sun cream last couple of years? Hat probably good idea as Bubbaluv suggested.

Bubbaluv · 19/04/2011 04:37

Are you sure it's the sun? Maybe you're allergic to your sunscreen?

alphabill · 19/04/2011 10:42

Hi I have very sun sensitive skin and use one of the very expensive wide brimmed Tilley hat (it has more than paid for itself). I also find the Boots soltan 6 hour cream very helpful.
I also try to wear light weight long sleeved tops, and I also get burnt pre 11 am and post 3 pm so always protect myself then. I also always buy 5 star protection not all high factor sunscreen have this.
Hope you find a solution.

ThingOne · 19/04/2011 16:12

I wear 3/4 or long sleeves, a large-brimmed hat and cover my chest when it is very sunny. I find it's the only way to deal with it. I never wear strappy tops!

SardineQueen · 19/04/2011 16:19

Burn when I look at the sun here!

High factor suncream
Cover yourself up
Hat
Always seek out shade wherever and whenever you can

RedwingWinter · 20/04/2011 19:01

You could try an umbrella or parasol like they do in some parts of Asia.

Are you sure you're not having a reaction to the sunscreen that is making you more sensitive to the sun? This can happen if you are allergic to one of the ingredients, so if you have changed your sunscreen recently it could be worth trying a different one or going back to one you've used in the past.

ilovemydogandMrObama · 20/04/2011 19:04

La Roche Posay 50 is quite good.

milkjetmum · 21/04/2011 07:57

I am very quick to burn and a friend told me about this a few years back and it is wonderful!

www.p20.co.uk/

Not cheap but a little bit goes a long way. Really does last all day! Only downsides are that the 'feel' is totally different from normal suncream so might take getting used to (I find it a bit funny to use on my face), it does mark white clothes so be careful when putting it on, and watch out for places it might rub off and reapply there (e.g. seatbelt area).

I absolutely love it and would highly recommend it.

goingmadinthecountry · 21/04/2011 08:15

Piz Buin allergy was the only thing that worked for me. I was also allergic to chlorine so that reacting with sunblock was a pain. Hasn't been as bad for the past few years though I still make sure I always have anti histamine tabs with me and aloe vera gel for after.

I avoid the sun quite a lot anyway, but the same happens in NY with chloine in water in showers. Sadly not a problem I have too often.

IngridBergman · 21/04/2011 08:18

I wonder if you are sensitive to the sun lotion you're using?

Ds2 has been red on his arms and face the last few days and I suspect it's the spray I am using. Neither me nor his bro have got burned or tanned.

Not sure what to do with him aside from keeping him in the shade at all times and it's only April

alypaly · 22/04/2011 01:59

are you on any meds

2BoysTooLoud · 22/04/2011 07:54

Thats what I thought alypaly. A lot of medication can cause sun sensitivity in skin.

Am36butfeel66 · 22/04/2011 09:34

I use Ultrasun products that I get off QVC..you apply them once a day 30 min before you go out in the sun, and they do not need to be reapplied during the day at all. They are waterproof. They are more expensive than ordinary sun creams but as you only need to apply once a day the bottle lasts ages!! So it works out more economical in the long term.

alypaly · 22/04/2011 23:46

P20 is amazing. its the only product that i have used on my children and they have never burny.apply once daily 20 minutes before going into the sun and it lasts all day.

Original poster
Hangingbellyofbabylon · 23/04/2011 00:37

thank you for the info and ideas. I am taking anti-depressants but have been for a while and not noticed the sensitivity before. I have been slapping on the factor 50 thicker and more frequently than normal and it seems a bit better.

OP posts:
gingeroots · 23/04/2011 09:00

Another fan of P20 - though I've found that it's sometimes necessary to apply normal high factor sun block/cream to top it up when in very strong sun .
( I checked with P20 manufacturers about this and they said fine )

saggarmakersbottomknocker · 23/04/2011 12:47

I have a condition called PLE (polymorphic light eruption) - and I use the Soltan range from Boots because it has high UVA cover as well as UVB. Lots of the longer lasting P20 type lotions don't have good UVA ratings. I also use an anti-histamine which helps as mine is more of an allergy than just easily burnt.

Increased sensitivity to the sun can be hormone related too. The contraceptive pill can make you more sensitive.

gingeroots · 23/04/2011 16:35

I know I should know this or at least google it ,but ...remind me of significance of UVA cover ?

Carrotsandcelery · 23/04/2011 16:52

I use the P20 stuff every day but I also top up with Simple Face Protector Factor 50 regularly if it is vaguely sunny - I am allergic to most other suncreams on my face. The P20 would not be enough on a sunny 18 C day to stop me burning.

I am interested in the anti histamine suggestion as this may be helpful to me as well.

Good post Hanging - I suspect it will help a lot of us.

Just incase, make sure you allow the suncream to work in for a while before you go out in the sun. It is possible to burn in the time it takes for the suncream to become effective.

saggarmakersbottomknocker · 23/04/2011 17:05

In simple terms UVA ages, UVB burns. UVA penetrates the skin deeper than UVB and may initiate and not just contribute to some skin cancers.

saggarmakersbottomknocker · 23/04/2011 17:10

Carrots - I take Telfast180 (fexofenadine) prescribed by my GP. Definitely helps especially if I pre-empt exposure and take it for a few days prior. It's usually the first few exposures of the year that are an issue for me and after that I seem to desensitise a little and can stop taking them.

Beta-carotene is thought to be helpful too but I think it has to be taken in fairly large doses and the Tangoed look isn't one I want to cultivate.

Carrotsandcelery · 23/04/2011 17:12

Thanks saggar I will look into that - it sounds like it would help the op too.