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What Is Sunscreen Allergy?
While contact dermatitis to sunscreens is not as common ascosmetic allergies, it is not a rare condition. The reaction to sunscreens can occur anywhere on the body where the substance is applied. It tends to be more common in the areas of the body with the most sun exposure. This is called photo-contact dermatitis.
Photo-contact dermatitis usually occurs on the bare, sun-exposed areas of the body. In some cases, however, clothed areas of the body can also be affected.The area of the neck under the chin is usually not affected.
Contact dermatitis to sunscreens can occur as a result of an allergy to the active ingredients or to the fragrances or preservatives in the product.
Who Is at Risk for Developing Sunscreen Allergy?
Those most at-risk for developing sunscreen allergy include the following groups:
How Do Sunscreens Work?
Sunscreens work in one of two ways:
Which Chemicals in Sunscreens Cause Allergies?
Some of theactive ingredientsin sunscreens have the potential to cause contact dermatitis. Many sunscreens have multiple active ingredients, so it may be difficult to determine the exact cause without patch testing for individual chemicals. The following are the most common active ingredients in sunscreens that have been reported to cause contact dermatitis.
Sunblock vs. Sunscreen: What’s the Difference and Which One Should You Use?
Sunscreens for People With Sunscreen Allergy?
Physical blocking agents have only rarely been reported to cause contact dermatitis. These agents include zinc oxide and titanium dioxide and tend to come in heavier creams that do not absorb well into the skin. For this reason, some people do not like to use these agents, as they are less cosmetically pleasing. However, sunscreens containing these chemicals are a good choice for people with an allergy to sunscreens, or those with the concern of developing an allergy to sunscreens.
The Proper Way to Apply Sunscreen
7 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.American College of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology.Contact dermatitis.Harvard Health Publishing.Sun allergy (photosensitivity).American Academy of Dermatology Association.Is sunscreen safe?Dinardo JC, Downs CA.Dermatological and environmental toxicological impact of the sunscreen ingredient oxybenzone/benzophenone-3.J Cosmet Dermatol. 2018;17(1):15-19. doi:10.1111/jocd.12449NEJM Journal Watch.Something new under the sun: Sunscreen allergies and irritancies.Lazópulos SQ, Svarc F, Sagrera G, Dicelio L.Absorption and photo-stability of substituted dibenzoylmethanes and chalcones as UVA filters.Cosmetics.2018;5(2):33. doi:10.3390/cosmetics5020033De groot AC, Roberts DW.Contact and photocontact allergy to octocrylene: a review.Contact Derm. 2014;70(4):193-204. doi:10.1111/cod.12205
7 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.American College of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology.Contact dermatitis.Harvard Health Publishing.Sun allergy (photosensitivity).American Academy of Dermatology Association.Is sunscreen safe?Dinardo JC, Downs CA.Dermatological and environmental toxicological impact of the sunscreen ingredient oxybenzone/benzophenone-3.J Cosmet Dermatol. 2018;17(1):15-19. doi:10.1111/jocd.12449NEJM Journal Watch.Something new under the sun: Sunscreen allergies and irritancies.Lazópulos SQ, Svarc F, Sagrera G, Dicelio L.Absorption and photo-stability of substituted dibenzoylmethanes and chalcones as UVA filters.Cosmetics.2018;5(2):33. doi:10.3390/cosmetics5020033De groot AC, Roberts DW.Contact and photocontact allergy to octocrylene: a review.Contact Derm. 2014;70(4):193-204. doi:10.1111/cod.12205
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
American College of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology.Contact dermatitis.Harvard Health Publishing.Sun allergy (photosensitivity).American Academy of Dermatology Association.Is sunscreen safe?Dinardo JC, Downs CA.Dermatological and environmental toxicological impact of the sunscreen ingredient oxybenzone/benzophenone-3.J Cosmet Dermatol. 2018;17(1):15-19. doi:10.1111/jocd.12449NEJM Journal Watch.Something new under the sun: Sunscreen allergies and irritancies.Lazópulos SQ, Svarc F, Sagrera G, Dicelio L.Absorption and photo-stability of substituted dibenzoylmethanes and chalcones as UVA filters.Cosmetics.2018;5(2):33. doi:10.3390/cosmetics5020033De groot AC, Roberts DW.Contact and photocontact allergy to octocrylene: a review.Contact Derm. 2014;70(4):193-204. doi:10.1111/cod.12205
American College of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology.Contact dermatitis.
Harvard Health Publishing.Sun allergy (photosensitivity).
American Academy of Dermatology Association.Is sunscreen safe?
Dinardo JC, Downs CA.Dermatological and environmental toxicological impact of the sunscreen ingredient oxybenzone/benzophenone-3.J Cosmet Dermatol. 2018;17(1):15-19. doi:10.1111/jocd.12449
NEJM Journal Watch.Something new under the sun: Sunscreen allergies and irritancies.
Lazópulos SQ, Svarc F, Sagrera G, Dicelio L.Absorption and photo-stability of substituted dibenzoylmethanes and chalcones as UVA filters.Cosmetics.2018;5(2):33. doi:10.3390/cosmetics5020033
De groot AC, Roberts DW.Contact and photocontact allergy to octocrylene: a review.Contact Derm. 2014;70(4):193-204. doi:10.1111/cod.12205
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