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Sunblock factor 50 available in UK -anyone found one that works on very sensitive skin?

hellytheelephant

Senior Member
Messages
1,137
Location
S W England
Hi guys

one of the side effects of Amiltryptyline for me is that I am now hyper sensitive to the sun. Both last summer and the one before I burnt after very little exposure, and burnt badly.

I always have a hat and cover up but would like some for my face and hands to be on the safe side.

Anyone tried Avene?

Helly
 

perchance dreamer

Senior Member
Messages
1,691
Messages
87
Ultra Sun is very good. Recommended to me by a skin cancer specialist after I had a malignant melanoma- (all clear at the moment) One application per day worked even in Florida sun. It is a bit hard to rub in and needs to be done 20 mins before you go out into the sun. I got it on Amazon UK. Good for sensitive skin.
 

SamanthaJ

Senior Member
Messages
219
I use Sunsense SPF50 as I have a sun allergy, have also used Ultrasun. My skin can be sensitive but is not VERY sensitive so can't comment on its suitability from that perspective, but I do find it effective.

ETA: On my face I use Ultrasun facial sunscreen SPF30. Does make me look a bit pasty, but not greasy and doesn't give me spots.
 

IreneF

Senior Member
Messages
1,552
Location
San Francisco
I like Paula's Choice sunscreens. La Roche-Posay Anthelios XL sunscreens with mexoryl are very good, but are hard to find outside France. (There are lots of Anthelios sunscreens that don't contain mexoryl.)

Hands are often overlooked. I've done serious damage to my hands, probably from driving.
 

Daffodil

Senior Member
Messages
5,875
Long ago, my dermatologist recommended Ombrelle and I used it a few times. I did not break out from it that I recall and I have pretty sensitive skin.
 

KME

Messages
91
Location
Ireland
Sorry to hear you have this as a side effect. I have very sensitive skin and photosensitivity (not medication related). I know how hard it is to find the cream that works for you, but when you do, it's super.

The one that works for me is La Roche Posay Anthelios Comfort Cream http://www.laroche-posay.ie/product-treatments/Anthelios/Anthelios-SPF-50-Comfort-Cream-p10059.aspx

It is a bit pasty at this SPF, but a bit of tinted powder over top can help both with colour and shine. The factor 30 in this is also really good but I understand that you need 50.

They also have a stick that I use for a bit of extra protection on my nose (also good for tops of ears/anywhere you tend to burn). I find it helpful because I can layer up on my nose - stick then cream and then top up with stick as needed.

If your skin isn't dry, you'd probably get away with this version, which may be less visible:
http://www.laroche-posay.ie/product...elios-XL-SPF-50-Ultra-Light-Fluid-p10057.aspx

If you end up liking that range/it suits your skin, it's worth knowing that it's much cheaper in mainland European countries, and they often have larger containers, so you can send friends who are going on hols off with a list!

This is a sun allergy range I tried a few years ago that my skin did not like at all:

https://www.pizbuin.com/en/our-products/allergy

I haven't tried Avene but could be worth it. I did find an Avene balm that works for my skin.

Something it took me many years (like, over 30!) to discover is that many companies will give you your money back if you have an allergic reaction to their product.

Time of exposure makes a big difference for me too - morning before 11 and evening after 4 are best for me. In the middle is just asking for trouble. And amount of exposure is key too - it works a bit like pacing, for me, if my skin sees the sun in the morning, it needs a break for the rest of the day, and it needs rest days. Once the photosensitive rash comes up, I need absolutely no exposure for weeks or it just comes right back up again.

Hope some of this is helpful!
 

me/cfs 27931

Guest
Messages
1,294
I forgot there's another sunscreen that has worked for me. Coppertone Sensitive Skin Body Lotion SPF 50.

It's a bit thick and takes some rubbing to not look pasty white. Which is why I prefer the Blue Lizard.

ETA: This sunscreen is cheap (~$10) to buy at Walgreens. However, I see some crazy high prices on Amazon. Buyer beware.
 

tudiemoore

Senior Member
Messages
161
Location
Southeast U.S.
How well I know the search--stings, smells odd, somehow moves from my hairline into my eyes--and on and on--
I read some reviews in Spring and selected the reviewer's first choice, Australian Gold Mineral Lotion.
It is a botanical broad spectrum sunscreen with an SPF of 50. The tube also says it's non-greasy and antioxidant rich.
I enjoyed using this. It's lightly tinted so no ghostly pale face smiling back in the mirror--
Hope this works for you :nerd:
tm
 
Messages
70
Hi. After a friend with very pale skin used Riemanns 30+ with no burn or tanning except for a tiny bit of skin she missed, my husband has been using it and had no sunburn. I think they also do 50+. Is easy to apply & long lasting.
 

IreneF

Senior Member
Messages
1,552
Location
San Francisco
Most sunscreens contain fragrance, even those for children. Many fragrances can sensitize skin. Natural fragrances are sometimes the worst.

There's something in many sunscreens that's irritating to my skin, and I have no idea what it is. When I find something that works I stick with it.
 

L'engle

moogle
Messages
3,200
Location
Canada
I haven't tried it but there is a supplement called Heliocare made from kind of fern that is supposed to offer sun protection (to some degree) if you take it everyday. I only found out about it now at the end of summer and may try it next year.

I got some Badger Brand face stick but it is white and chalky and gets in your clothes. Fine for the beach or something where people aren't going to see you but I don't like wearing it in public. Also the heavy zinc stuff gets in my clothes and is hard to wash out.

I honestly don't even like going out in the sun that much but even a bit of exposure turns my face itchy and red for the next day or two. Even with a hat and sunglasses it is hard to get every angle. So even the smallest bits of exposure make summer the time of being itchy and red for me.

I hate the sun. Clouds make me happy, calm and non-itchy!
 

IreneF

Senior Member
Messages
1,552
Location
San Francisco
I haven't tried it but there is a supplement called Heliocare made from kind of fern that is supposed to offer sun protection (to some degree) if you take it everyday. I only found out about it now at the end of summer and may try it next year.

I got some Badger Brand face stick but it is white and chalky and gets in your clothes. Fine for the beach or something where people aren't going to see you but I don't like wearing it in public. Also the heavy zinc stuff gets in my clothes and is hard to wash out.

I honestly don't even like going out in the sun that much but even a bit of exposure turns my face itchy and red for the next day or two. Even with a hat and sunglasses it is hard to get every angle. So even the smallest bits of exposure make summer the time of being itchy and red for me.

I hate the sun. Clouds make me happy, calm and non-itchy!
I did a little reading about Heliocare. It seems to work but not incredibly well, maybe about SPF 3. Using a sunscreen that include antioxidants might work just as well. It's marketed as a supplement (in the US), so it doesn't need to prove that it actually works.
 

L'engle

moogle
Messages
3,200
Location
Canada
@IreneF I would still need to use a hat and sunglasses and pretty much avoid the sun anyway for the most part. I haven't found a topical sunscreen that didn't cause me any grief so far in one way or another.

For me it's less about preventing sunburn as I never allow that much exposure and more about mitigating the sun rash (polymorphic light eruption) that I get even from crossing a parking lot on a summer evening. Sunscreens don't even seem to prevent that unfortunately.

The reviews for the fern-based supplements are mixed as with everything else. It will be a case of 'spend $30 and see what happens'. I've had me/cfs too long to actually expect anything to work as advertised. :lol:
 

Mij

Messages
2,353
I'm considering buying a 99% UV block umbrella, they would probably keep us cooler too. They are smaller and lighter weight than a rain umbrella. They use them in Japan.

I'm not out much when it's sunny/hot, but for the short time I am out I would rather carry an anti-UV parasol than muck my face up with sunscreen.
 

IreneF

Senior Member
Messages
1,552
Location
San Francisco
I have occasionally gotten a rash or hives (yuck) from the sun. I'm not sure what, exactly, triggers it. I heard from another person that sunscreen did not help, but that was years ago and sunscreens have improved.

Some substances, in combination with light, can trigger rashes in sensitive people:
Photoallergic eruption — In this form of sun allergy, a skin reaction is triggered by the effect of sunlight on a chemical that has been applied to the skin (often an ingredient in sunscreen, fragrances, cosmetics or antibiotic ointments) or ingested in a drug (often a prescription medicine). Common prescription medicines that can cause a photoallergic eruption include antibiotics (especially tetracyclines and sulfonamides), phenothiazines used to treat psychiatric illness, diuretics for high blood pressure and heart failure, and certain oral contraceptives. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) also has linked some cases of photoallergic reaction to the nonprescription pain relievers ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin and others) and naproxen sodium (Aleve, Naprosyn and others).
(Harvard Health)