Contact-allergic reactions to sunscreen may be delayed-type reactions such as allergic and photo-allergic contact dermatitis, and more exceptionally also immediate-type reactions, that is, contact urticaria. Urticaria, also known as hives, is an outbreak of swollen, pale red bumps or plaques (wheals) on the skin that appear suddenly -- either as a result of the body's reaction to certain allergens, or for unknown reasons. Hives usually cause itching, but may also burn or sting.
Go find you sunscreen and scan the active ingredient list
According to the American College of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology, the chemical sunscreens that have been found to most commonly cause allergic reactions in the skin are:
Avobenzone
Benzophenones
Cinnamates
Dibenzoylmethanes
Octinoxate
Octocrylene
Oxybenzone (benzophenone-3)
To avoid sunscreens with chemical filters, your sunscreen should contain only the active ingredients zinc oxide or titanium dioxide combined with zinc oxide. Mineral sunscreen is quite effective and tends to be less irritating than sunscreen with chemical filters.
But there's more to look out for. The following inactive ingredients have been found to cause allergic reactions:
Chlorphenesin
Dicaprylyl Carbonate
Dimethicone Crosspolymer
Dimethicone/Bis-Isobutyl PPG-20 Crosspolymer
Ethylhexylglycerin
Isohexadecane
Pentylene Glycol
Polyester-8
Polymethylsilsesquioxane
Sodium Dehydroacetate
Sorbitan Sesquioleate.
For some people, sensitivity to an ingredient can be triggered or exacerbated by the sun. Such a photosensitive or photoallergic reaction (an allergic reaction caused by drugs in which ultraviolet exposure changes the structure of the drug so that it is seen by the body's immune system as an invader) can result in an exaggerated skin rash or sunburn. In more severe cases, blistering may also develop.
After six years of research and development, we launched Love Sun Body 100% Natural Origin Mineral Sunscreens.
Love Sun Body sunscreens are the first and only sunscreens in the U.S. certified by Ecocert Cosmos Natural and have been clinically tested hypoallergenic, non-comedogenic and are reef safe.
Love Sun Body 100% Natural Origin Mineral Sunscreens meet and exceed the regulatory requirements of the FDA OTC Monograph System, the European Commission’s recommendation on UVA protection and Health Canada Natural Health Products Regulations. Love Sun Body 100% Natural Origin Mineral Sunscreens are made with the safest UVA and UVB filters - SPF 30 formulas non-nano zinc oxide and SPF 50 formulas non-nano zinc oxide and non-nano titanium dioxide and plant based moisturizers.
Love Sun Body was also given the best score of 1 out of 10 for safety and efficacy by the Environmental Working Group (EWG). Love Sun Body sunscreen formulas are certified PETA Cruelty Free and Vegan, with no eye stinging ingredients.
We believe there is a strong connection between the health of our clients and the health of our business, our workforce, and the planet and each of these impact one another.
At Love Sun Body, we seek to leverage our reach, scale and expertise to effect real change in sustainability issues. Our green activities and initiatives include recycling, manufacturing, socially responsible investments (SRI) that focus on conservation of natural resources, manufacturing, implementation of clean air, and other environmentally conscious business practices.