My husband and I are in disagreement. I was out in the sun with my kids yesterday afternoon. We have two different kids of sunscreen, one is a spray and one is a lotion. I generally don't like sunscreen, it stinks and I hate it, but more than that, I hate sunburns so I use it. Both sunscreens are SPF 50. So I sunscreen up the kids and then put some all over me, obviously the lotion is used on my face. Just as a little history, I have SUPER sensitive skin. I can't really wear cosmetics because of the reactions from my skin, I also have trouble with general lotions. I have never had an issue with sunscreen before, but this was a new one that we had never used before.
Back to my point. I put on these sunscreens, we go out in the sun for a few hours then come back in the house. My shoulders, arms, neck, and legs are deffinately not burnt. My face is another story. My face is a little rosy on my cheeks, but not red or pink anywhere else, but ever since yesterday it's been itching like there is no tomorrow and is a little warm to the touch. There are no bumps or welts or anything like that, just really itchy skin, and I washed the sunscreen off my face when we came in the house.
Anyway, My husband just says "Oh you probably have a sunburn" but it doesn't feel like a sunburn, I think I am having a mild skin reaction to the sunscreen.
What do you think?
Thanks for all the replies! I will have to look into all of the alternatives that you have mentioned! I am still pretty itchy, but I went out and got some Aveeno anti-itch cream that seems to be helping some. I will check out all the non-chemical barriers you have mentioned and the sites with info!
I can use the spray sunscreen on my body and face, but we bought lotion this weekend. I tried it on my face and my husband's face and we both felt pretty bad stinging. I used lotion made for faces, make-up with SPF, or the spray only for my sensitive face.
I think it's an allergic reaction. Don't use that one again.
Sounds like a reaction to something in the lotion to me. Did you compare the ingredients list for the two sunscreens? I would. See what is different in the lotion you used on your face, and maybe avoid any sunscreens with that in it in the future...
FWIW, I have started just using "Face Potion" or whatever it is called not just on my face, but everwhere. It is zinc oxide, so it is a physical block, not chemical, and doesn't make free radicals when exposed to sunlight (the newest worry with all the sunscreens out there). And it's cheap, too. Like $2.50 for a little pot of it at Walmart. The little pot things last a long time. And it works.
I am thinking allergic reaction .
my dd gets a itchy pinkish rash from any sunscreen with Aveobenzone in it, we have to use the thick white Titanium dioxide with her.
try a baking soda to cool the itching.
You are having a reaction to something in the sun screen, sometimes the redness is also accompanied by red bumps.
I have a friend who has kids that are allergic to everything. The only sunscreen they can use is the Aveno brand. She swears by it.
My daughter gets welts when she is in the hot sun for too long. It looks like she is sunburned (dispite a mom that is crazy about putting it on) but after she cools down, the welts go away.
Unless you were out in the sun for several hours, without reapplying, I doubt that it is a sunburn. It is probably a reaction of some sort.
I get a terrible itch after anything, including sunscreen is applied to my face. I do it anyway cause I dont want the burn but then for 3 days or more I have to deal with the itch and redness. :( I'd say it was allergic reaction
i have very sensitive skin too. I don't put sunscreen on my face. I use Mary kay makeup - doesn't make my skin breakout and has spf 8 in the foundation. I have worn it for close to 15 years and I get compliments on my skin. I wear a hat out in the sun. No, I do not sell Mary Kay products. I don't use their sunscreen - but I think they do have a sunscreen acceptable for faces.
I think you are having a reaction to the sunscreen.
Hi J. G,
You have received good answers. I second the idea about using zinc or titanium oxide lotions that provide a physical versus chemical barrier.
Jilly
I agree with the others that it's a reaction. A resource that I use to help me avoid reactions with my sensitive skin is www.beautypedia.com. There are great articles on sensitive skin as well as unbiased, scientific reviews of skin care products and makeup. Using the info from the site, I almost never have reactions anymore, it's fabulous! The author of the site also sells her own products, called Paula's Choice, but by no means do you ever have to buy them. I actually used the site's sunscreen reviews on my phone in the store this week to get something safe for myself and my kids. Good luck, and I hope the itching subsides soon!!
