suncream for v sensitive skin

[fatsatsuma]

Not sure if this is the right place to post this...

I seem to be allergic to most brands of suncream - Soltan, Nivea, Johnsons all bring me out in an itchy rash.

Am very fair so tend to use a high SPF, and am about to go off on a hot holiday so desperately need sun protection.

Can anyone recommend something? Other people have suggested just keeping out of the sun but that is my absolute last resort. This is our first (and probably only) holiday abroad for years and I would like to enjoy the sun for a change

You should keep out of the sun from lunchtime to about five I would say and avoid baring your shoulders.

Plus get a hat.

Otherwise, for suncream I (bad eczema, mad skin!) can use Eucerin 50+ (unperfumed), la roche-posay and avene suncreams.

Check the ingredients carefully and get something unperfumed, maybe a children's one.

Also, if you have sensitive skin, any cream plus heat will make you itchy, so avoid direct sunlight.

I got a nice tan in the south of France one year by sitting in the shade under a tree most of the time, but I definitely had tan lines!

I have this too, it seems to be a combination of sun and the cream that cause problems.

I don't put any suncream near my sweaty bits now - armpits, groin, backs of knees.

I never use Ambre Solaire because it seems to aggravate the most but I can get away with the Australian Gold or Hawaiin tropic sprays. The aerosol type. If I use them on my legs, arms and chest I don't react at all.

Thanks both of you. Have either of you seen a dermatologist and had patch tests done to isolate what you are allergic to? I need to do this but no time before we go away. I'm just not sure what I'm looking for in the ingredients.

I've tried various children's factor 50 creams but they have had the same result.

I havnt seen a dermatologist, I just avoid creams and anything Ambre Solaire.

It's warm this week can you patch test some aerosols and see how you get on.

It's just getting so expensive trying different products. I suppose I could brazen it out and have a squirt at Boots - not sure I dare though

try sun cream from the Green People, it is mineral only. My kids come out in a rash with any chemical sunscreens.

Thanks abitpearshaped. Do you know if you can buy it on the high street? (ie as opposed to online)

Piz Buin Allergy is good for me- Nivea brings me out in bumps

E45 sun and roc are the only ones that don't bring my family out in a rash.You can get them in boots.

another vote for avene

This is always tricky because people recommend what works for them but as OP says you have no way of knowing if your skin is going to have a reaction, even if someone else with sensitive skin has no problems with the same product.

You might be able to get samples - I got a free sample of green people and lavera from a health shop, but it's not exactly high street - not Holland and Barrett but an independent place

Green people are very helpful and would probably post you samples if you rang them

My DC didn't seem to react to the Green People one.

I have taken the plunge and ordered the Sun Mousse (used to be called proderm and bergaderm) for me since it gets very good reviews from people with eczema and sensitive skin. I ordered it online though, I've not seen it in any shops.

here is the best price I could find on the Sun Mousse

Green people available at waitrose

i use this on my kids as ds especially has very sensitive skin

I agree with doggie.

I have v. sensitive skin and have regular appointments at the dermatologists and have had patch and skin tests at an allergy specialists.

Despite me reacting to different creams/perfumes, none of the skin tests came back positive, (but all of the allergy ones did).

My skin can react to something that previously has been fine.

My mother has the same problem, mineral screens have been recommended to her too for the same reasons.

Avene and Roc do them.