Best Sunblock for Someone Who is Allergic and Sensitive Skin Tips

[Homesick for Disney]

Hi! We frequently go to Disney, and each trip I have the same problem. My sunblock burns my skin like crazy. I am fine when I put it on in the room, but as soon as I get out in the sun, it burns to the point of tears. I am usually miserable for the first hour or so of our day. I do not think that I have eczema on my face (I do have it on my hands from time to time). Does anyone have ideas for what type of sunblock I should use or what I should look for? I am currently using Aveeno SPF 30 for faces, and while it keeps me from burning, I would like something with less pain. I would like to find something under $15, if at all possible.

Also, any tips for soothing skin while at Disney? I normally have very good, if sensitive, skin, but at Disney it kind of goes crazy, particularly on my face. I get dry and red, and it hurts. It seems to be getting a little worse with each trip.

TIA for any help.

 

[Rae&familyxmas05]

I have eczema myself and until last year my face was never a problem, but I started breaking out in my face suddenly. My dermatologist recommended Cerava, it's over the counter at CVS or Walgreens. They have face cleanser and lotions, also a rx for desonide when my face gets inflamed.

As far as sunblock he gave me some samples for Neutrogena Ultra Sheer/Dry Touch SPF 85. No breakout from that which is good because I never would put any sunblock on my face before. Not sure of the price.

 

[jt8595]

DS10 has terrible eczema. He isn't bothered by Bananna Boat spray or Clinique for his face. I am glad to know about Cerave. He has been using the body wash and body cream. I didn't realize there was a sunscreen as well.

 

[dancin'girl]

DD has eczema and would get red and itchy with just about every sunblock we tried, until I found Vanicream. We've had great success with it. I order it at drugstore.com.

 

[karliebug]

my DD uses neutogena sunscreen for sensitive skin. it is the only kind she doesn't break out from. The other brands leave her with big itchy welts.

 

[shuteye]

I second Vanicream. My ds has used it for several years and has really helped. They make a great sunscreen too.

 

[ginnymack]

It may just be a matter of trial and error, unfortunately! My kiddos are both allergic to Coppertone, but we have great luck with Blue Lizard (kids or sensitive). It is one of the best sunscreens around. It meets the Austrailian guidelines for being waterproof, which is much more stringent than ours! Also, per Austrailian guidelines, nothing is labeled over spf 30 even if it is higher. Anything over spf 30 really has no additional benefit - as my kids pedi says "if you pay more for anything over 30 and you are wasting your $!"

It is a bit more expensive per ounce, so I try to use it in the most tender areas - face, sholders, chest, then use the cheaper stuff for arms and legs.

Good luck!

 

[sammielynn]

It may just be a matter of trial and error, unfortunately! My kiddos are both allergic to Coppertone, but we have great luck with Blue Lizard (kids or sensitive). It is one of the best sunscreens around. It meets the Austrailian guidelines for being waterproof, which is much more stringent than ours! Also, per Austrailian guidelines, nothing is labeled over spf 30 even if it is higher. Anything over spf 30 really has no additional benefit - as my kids pedi says "if you pay more for anything over 30 and you are wasting your $!"

It is a bit more expensive per ounce, so I try to use it in the most tender areas - face, sholders, chest, then use the cheaper stuff for arms and legs.

Good luck!

I love Blue Lizard! It is one of the two sunscreens that I can use without getting itchy welts. The other is the Neutrogena sensitive skin. The Neutrogena makes me look blueish the blue lizard does not. Blue Lizard may meet Australian guidelines but it is made in Tennessee.

 

[Homesick for Disney]

Thank you guys so much! I'll definitely be trying the eczema stuff. I bought some of the Neutrogena today, and have been hunting around for Blue Lizard. Anybody know of stores that carry it?

 

[chabs]

My son has the same problem. The only type of sunscreen that he can use is the Coppertone sport that comes in a pump spray bottle (blue). It is not really meant for the face so we have to spray it on our hands first and then put it on his face. He has extremely sensitive skin. I guess it is just trial and error for everyone.

 

[tiggerplus5]

Aveeno and Neutrogena work great for me and my daughter. We both have sensitive skin. Good luck in your search!

 

[jjjmranch]

I know Meijer carries Blue Lizard but I don't think they're in your area.

 

[graceesmom]

my DD uses neutogena sunscreen for sensitive skin. it is the only kind she doesn't break out from. The other brands leave her with big itchy welts.

Neutrogena Sensitive Skin works for me too. I can wear any Neutrogena product on arms and legs, but only the Sensitive Skin formula or the Neutrogena stick for my face. Every other formula burns my face and eyes terribly. Be careful with the stick though. You have to keep it cool or it will melt and be a mess in your bag. (learned from experience) I apply it every morning but don't take it with me to the parks b/c of the melting issue. I carry the Sensitive Skin formula in the parks. If you carry a cooler, you can throw the stick in the cooler. That's what I do when we go boating and it works great.

 

[abbie13_15]

I have really sensitve, pale, freckled skin. I always use baby sunscreen!!!

 

[perfectparanoia]

I use Umbrelle (I think it is L'oreal).

The only other one I have ever been able to use is from the Body Shop. Unfortunately, it is expensive.

Mind you, my problem is hives not burning so YMMV.

 

[loveysbydesign]

Nature's Gate makes a few great sunblocks.
Mineral block.
Mineral Sunblock SPF 20 Our mineral-based SPF 20 sunscreen goes on easily and works effectively without the use of harsh sunscreens or ultra fine nanoparticles. Contains Titanium Dioxide and Zinc Oxide which work by scattering light rays instead of absorbing them.This lightweight, fresh-scented formula is not greasy and absorbs quickly. Featrues botanicals of Acai, Green Tea and Ginkgo Biloba Extracts for their potent antioxidant and anti-aging benefits. Also offers broad spectrum UVA/UVB protection. Perfect for daily use. Active Ingredients: Titanium Dioxide 8%, Zinc Oxide 2% Inactive ingredients: Water, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Diisopropyl Adipate, Carthamus Tinctorius (Safflower) Seed Oil,Glycerin, Polysorbate 80, Propylheptyl Caprylate, Stearic Acid, Cetearyl Wheat Bran Glycosides, Cetearyl Alcohol, Glyceryl Stearate, Stearyl Alcohol, Prunus Armeniaca (Apricot) Kernel Oil, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Euterpe Oleracea (Acai) Fruit Extract, Coffea Arabica (Coffee) Extract, Ginkgo Biloba Leaf Extract, Glycyrrhiza Glabra (Licorice) Root Extract, Panax Ginseng Root Extract, Camellia Oleifera (Green Tea) Leaf Extract, Malva Sylvestris (Mallow) Flower Extract, Viola Tricolor (Wild Pansy) Extract, Butyrospermum Parkii (Shea Butter), Dimethicone, Dehydroxanthan Gum, Triethoxycaprylylsilane,Phenoxyethanol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Glyceryl Undecylenate, Fragrance.
http://www.amazon.com/Mineral-Sunbl...sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&s=beauty&qid=1271271355&sr=8-3

Unscented kids block-Fragrance-Free
Paraben-free
Pediatrician tested
This fragrance-free sunscreen is specially formulated for children's skin. Our formula contains Aloe Extract for its skin calming properties and Bisabalol, the key ingredient in Chamomole, for its soothing benefits.
SPF-30
Vegan
Ingredients
Active Ingredients: Octinoxate (7.5%), Octocrylene (7%), Oxybenzone (4%), Titanium Dioxide (5%); Inactive Ingredients: Water, Lavender Intermedia (Lavender) (flower, leaf, stem extract), Ethylhexyl Palmitate, VP/Eicosene Copolymer, Sorbitol, Glyceryl Stearate, PEG 100 Stearate, Solarium Complex (Sesame Seed Oil, Extract of Rhatania Root, Coffea Arabica (Coffee) Seed Extract, Viola Tricolor (Pansy) Extract, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf (Aloe Vera) Extract, Everlast, Frangula Alnus (Blackthorn) Bark

Ingredients
Extract, Chamomile, Cola Acuminata (Kola Nut) Seed Extract, Pfaffia Paniculata (Suma) Root Extract, Echinacea Purpurea (Coneflower) Root Extract, Equisetum Arvense (Horsetail) Extract, Rosa Canina (Rose Hip) Fruit Extract, Citrus Auranitium Dulcis (Orange) Fruit Extract, Cucumis Sativa (Cucumber) Fruit Extract, Rosmarinus Officialis Leaf Extract, Glycerin, Sorbitan Stearate, Bisabolol, Cetearyl Alcohol, Ceteareth-20, Dimethicone, Tromethamine, PEG 50 Shea Butter, Carbomer, Glyceryl
http://www.amazon.com/Natures-Gate-...sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=beauty&qid=1271271355&sr=8-1

 

[ktlm]

have been hunting around for Blue Lizard. Anybody know of stores that carry it?

That is what we use, and I find it at CVS and Ulta. The sensitive skin and the baby are the same stuff, just in different bottles. I agree with those who say it is great! Not only does it not cause break outs or welts, I am extremely fair skinned and I can put it on once and not burn all day (I only reapply if I'm swimming).

 

[jklefas]

LOVE Blue Lizard! We have to get it from drugstore.com....

 

[taylor3297]

I can find Blue Lizard at our grocery store (Harris Teeter). Also, at times CVS will carry it. Walgreens stopped carrying it a couple of years ago. Blue Lizard is the only sunscreen that my kids can use.