How to protect sensitive skin from the sun?

The variety of sunscreen products available on the market can often make it difficult to choose. If you have sensitive skin, finding the right sunscreen can be a huge challenge. However, armed with the knowledge of choosing a sunscreen for sensitive skin, everyone can freely and actively enjoy the joys of outdoor activities in any season, without the worry of the harmful effects of UV rays on the skin.

If you want a product that won't cause reactions on your skin, then check out the tips we've prepared for you. Read on to discover everything you need to know about SPF ingredients so you can find the best sun protection for your sensitive skin.

You should use sunscreen every day

This is a rule that applies to everyone, sensitive skin or not. It's worth repeating to yourself until it's a must in your daily routine: yes, you should wear SPF, even in winter. Yes, even on cloudy days. Despite the fact that sunscreen is still a supplement for some people. It's actually a necessity for preventing skin cancer, and will help slow down the aging process as an added bonus.

Sunscreen should be applied at least to the face and exposed skin throughout the year. UVA rays appear even when it's cloudy outside, and UVA rays are responsible for causing skin aging and cancer. Choose a broad-spectrum product to incorporate into your daily routine, no matter what the weather is like outside.

What is sensitive skin and why is it more vulnerable?

Sensitive, reactive skin has a thin or damaged skin barrier that needs to be restored to be healthy again. This weakened state of the skin's own protective abilities puts you at greater risk when exposed to the Sun, no matter what your skin tone is or how well you tan.

Sensitive skin is much more easily irritated and more likely to react to external factors and aggressors than normal skin. Sensitive skin has many options. One of the examples is in children, it is a well-known fact that their skin is extremely delicate and can be easily damaged. There may be inflammation - atopic dermatitis, rosacea, acne. And it can also be damaged due to the use of medications or if you have undergone dermatological procedures. A common case is also simply genetic. You are familiar with the fact that the lighter your skin is, the more sensitive it is to the sun's rays, right?

How do the sun's rays affect sensitive skin?

Sensitive skin is often prone to rashes when exposed to the sun. Redness, itching and other inflammations cannot be ruled out either. Choose a sunscreen that is waterproof, broad spectrum, and well hydrating. The products you use for sun protection should have a minimum SPF30. We advise you to invest in a wide-brimmed hat along with this to further protect your skin.

Even if your skin type is not sensitive, products such as retinoids containing AHA and BHA acids or certain medications can increase the sensitivity of the skin to the skin. In the case of severe phototoxicity, an allergic reaction may occur one to three days after sun exposure. When the body's immune system recognizes it as a threat, it produces antibodies and attacks your skin, resulting in lesions, blisters and a rash.

Which sunscreen to choose?

After reading this material, this is most likely the most important question for you. The most common reaction to a sunscreen product is called contact dermatitis, and it's possible for you to get it too if your skin is more sensitive. It turns out that this reaction can occur due to the presence of two ingredients used in sunscreens and cosmetics with a sunscreen component. There are two types of contact dermatitis - irritant and allergic.

· In irritant contact dermatitis, the reaction occurs after the application of a sunscreen product, and is common in people with eczema or sensitive skin. It causes discomfort such as small pimples, redness and itching.

· Allergic dermatitis is the rarest. It turns out that in these cases, people have developed a reaction to ingredients found in SPF cosmetics or sunscreens - oxybenzone and benzophenone-3. If you belong to this group, we advise you to try two-phase sunscreen lotions, because in addition to the fact that these ingredients are not present in their formula, it is also enriched with hyaluronic acid and collagen. These lotions are light in texture and won't weigh the skin down or clog your pores, which can contribute to adverse skin reactions as you are well aware.

Because sunscreens contain multiple active ingredients, it can be difficult to determine whether you will have a reaction—and if you do, which component of the sunscreen caused it. That's why our team advises you to do a preliminary test before applying to your whole body by applying the product on the inside of your hand for a few days.

Despite the use of sunscreen products, we advise you to avoid staying in sunny places between 11am and 3pm, use a hat and don't forget to drink plenty of water – as it is a real savior for your skin in the heat.