Help finding a sunscreen for ridiculously sensitive skin?
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Mon May 21, 2012 1:37 pm

I can't tolerate cyclopentasiloxane, high amounts of dimethicone, or common clogging ingredients such as ehthylhexyl palmitate and some coconut derivatives (cetyl alcohol, capric/caprylic triglycerides). I haven't been able to tolerate avobenzone in US formulas, but haven't tried it in others.

My skin does tolerate zinc oxide, octinoxate, uvinal a, and cyclomethicone. Not sure about the tinosorbs or meroxyl.

For the last year I've been using Epicuren Zinc under a powder sunscreen, but have been getting some color and the recent study regarding the potential dangers of zinc oxide has me worried about the nano-particles. I was considering switching to Pratima Rose, but apparently micronized zinc may also be problematic.

Does anyone have any suggestions for me? I've scoured US, European, and Japanese sunscreen ingredients lists and am still finding few options. TIA!

free skin care · Fri May 25, 2012 3:19 pm

Have you tried Avène products ? They are made for extremely sensitive skin (my sister used them after getting skin laser treatment) and they have a range of sun protection products.

free skin care · Fri May 25, 2012 7:39 pm

Have you thought about making your own? You might do so completely from scratch, or use a base lotion plus micronised (not nano) zinc oxide plus an oil of your choice. There are recipes over on Skincaretalk forums, maybe some here too.

Second thought is to suspect something in your diet, lifestyle or skincare routine other than the products you think are to be the sulprit. With the benefit of hindsight I realise many times over-exfoliation and/ or using cleansers based on sulphate surfactants were sensitising my skin to products I applied thereafter. A low glycaemic index, anti inflammatory diet can also strengthen the skin's barrier function and reduce allergies or other adverse reactions.

Tue May 29, 2012 1:55 pm

Thank you, sorry for the delay of this reply.

I do love some Avene products, but all their sunscreens contain silicones/coconut derivatives that are problematic for me, unfortunately.

I have not thought of making my own sunscreen, as I'm not inclined towards diy (working mother of a toddler), but I may get desperate enough to consider it! I actually do have allergies/immune issues that I'm sure are contributing to my skin sensitivity, and am already on an anti-inflammatory, low glycemic, etc., diet.

Thank you again for sharing your thoughts.

free skin care · Tue May 29, 2012 3:39 pm

What did you mean by micronised zinc being a problem - for your skin or you hare concerned about safety? You are aware micronised zinc and nano zinc are separate ingredients. If you rule out micronised zinc you will likely have to get a physical sunscreen with a white cast or a low SPF. Otherwise chemical agents, which have to be applied to bare skin, almost always come with silicones, can break down releasing free radicals, and many are known irritants.

I don't mean to be critical because I empathise (atopic eczema/ contact dermatitis here!), but I think you are making too many restrictions to actually find a product that works. Here in the UK we don't have a culture of sunscreen so have fewer products available than you do in the US, and I've heard other Europeans make the same complaint. The Australian market might be worth exploring tho?

free skin care · Tue May 29, 2012 5:34 pm

I think Pratima is what you want to try then. It has the fewest ingredients of any sunscreen Ive ever seen. It has zero silicones and no extraneous chemicals.

Ive asked Pratima several times if this is the entire ingred list and they have always told me that it is:

Pratima Neem Vetiver Sunscreen:
IONIZED WATER, NON-NANO MICRONIZED ZINC OXIDE 18.6%, ORGANIC EXTRACTS OF NEEM, LICORICE, IMPERATA CYLINDRICA EXTRACT, VITAMIN E, LECITHIN, ORGANIC ESSENTIAL OIL OF VETIVER, XANTHAN GUM.
http://www.pratimaskincare.com/neem-vetiver-body-sunscreen

At the winter holidays they offer free shipping too. You can ask for samples of their other products and they will send them with your order.

Tue May 29, 2012 8:41 pm

Thanks, Firefox, I realize mine is a tall/perhaps impossible order. I've sampled dozens of sunscreens in the last year. If Epicuren is the best I can do, I'll stick with it and be grateful, but I'm turning 35 and worrying more about UVA protection than I used to. I've researched Japanese and European sunscreens quite thoroughly, and tested a few. Thanks for the suggestion of also looking at the Australian market.

Some posts I read here suggested that uncoated micronized zinc *might* be as (potentially) problematic as nano, but since I'm silicone sensitive, I guess I'll just have to roll the dice.

Thanks, Fawnie, for the info about Pratima. I've decided to give it a go.

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