Semi-OT: Sunscreen for sensitive skin - YouLookFab Forum

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Semi-OT: Sunscreen for sensitive skin

Maya

Veteran

I have been using this sunscreen for the past couple of months:

http://www.amazon.com/Neutroge.....Descending

And my skin suffered terribly for it. I broke out badly and still have the scars of past pimples to contend with even now that my skin has somewhat calmed down.

I got this as an alternative:

http://www.amazon.com/Neutroge.....038;sr=8-2

But it just leaves a pasty white film all over my face. There is no way I can wear it as my daily sunscreen. Makeup resolves the problem, but I don't want to have to wear makeup just to cover it up.

Are there any good sensitive skin/non-comedogenic sunscreens out there that don't leave a white residue? I'm not looking for moisturizers or makeup with sunscreen or anything like that--just a pure broad spectrum sunscreen.

General

14 replies

Latest reply was from Kate

Jenava

(website)

Veteran

Laroche-Posay is supposed to be good. I have not tried this. I have tried other versions and they made me breakout. But, full disclosure, every facial sunscreen I've ever tried makes me breakout. I have 15 spf in my makeup and I rely on that unless I'll be exposed for long periods, in which case I deal with the aftermath using benzoyl peroxide. )-:

http://www.laroche-posay.us/_u.....urizer.htm

modgrl

(website)

Veteran

I use the liquid version of the laroche posay Jeneva mentioned. It is great and doesn't leave a white film.

http://www.laroche-posay.us/_u.....r-face.htm

Elly

Veteran

Maya--- honestly most sunscreen suncreens that aren't moisturizer either burn or cause grease and breakouts on me.

Several years ago Nuetrogena made a gel sunscreen which was THE BOMB. They no longer make it--- but you could try some other gel sunscreens. http://www.google.com/products.....CFYQ8wIwAQ or http://www.google.com/products.....KQBEPMCMAY

Aloe tends to be good on oily/acne prone skin in my experience.

I use the new Garnier Moisture line sunscreen moisture lotion and I really like it. Light, non-greasy, no break outs. http://www.google.com/products.....CHcQ8gIwBA
It is SPF 15---- maybe that isn't what you are looking for but I generally consider it enough protection for daily "preventative" wear and can reapply when I wear it otherwise (it goes on with no white streaks and I can apply over makeup without a smeary mess). Then again 15 is all I need if I happen to get caught outside for 3-4 hours, despite being fair.

Kate

Veteran

I have allergic reactions to a lot of sunscreeens, and so I'm thrilled that I found two that are rather cheap yet effective! I use Aveeno lotion with spf 15 or 30 every day. Their face stuff works well, but is more expensive, so I just use the body stuff on both my face and body. I've also had really good luck with coppertone sport for when I'm planning on spending a lot of time in the sun, and it is pretty good at staying on while swimming too!

annagybe

(website)

Veteran

Not cheap by any means.

http://www.ulta.com/ulta/brows.....d=cat80174

Elly

Veteran

Ha-- Kate's comment just shows how individual this is for all people--- my last two major fails were Kate's two recommendations! (the Aveeno made my skin feel like it was on fire and the body stuff causes breakouts, and coppertone sport burns and doesn't disappear on my skin! ) Even sensitive skin can differ.

crazyone

Veteran

My dermatologist recommended Blue Lizard sunscreen, and it's worked well for me. One plus is that it moisturizes well enough on its own, so I don't need a moisturizer. The one downside is that while it doesn't leave a white film overall, some of it does get stuck in my eyebrows if I'm not careful.

Diana

Veteran

I am allergic to one or more of the chemical UVA blockers (not sure which one, probably avobenzone) so I am very fussy about my sunscreen! I also DETEST that chemical sunscreen smell and cannot bear to smell it all day. I use this from Olay:
http://www.amazon.com/gp/produ.....d_i=507846

I know you said that you did not want a moisturizer with sunscreen, but I generally just use it instead of sunscreen unless I'm going to be getting wet (like at the beach or something, then I just go for the pasty white stuff). Actually, I think having the moisturizing part keeps it from getting too flaky or pasty. It is only SPF 15 but since I am not very fair and rarely get burnt, it's perfectly adequate for me. In my opinion, I do not think there is much benefit to going over around SPF 30 or so.

I think there may be multiple versions of this product, since they changed their formula at some point, many people complained, and then they changed it back. The one I like is labeled "classic gentle formula" and has only zinc oxide and octinoxate as the sunblocking ingredients.

GGB

I really like this one

http://www.dermstore.com/produ....._27143.htm

which I even use on my 7 year old,. who is very fair.

Beth

Veteran

Maya, I've been testing this Kate Somerville sunscreen all summer with great results. It's a cross between a gel and a light liquid, with no breakouts and no white cast:

http://m.sephora.com/browse/pr.....id=P238608

DressLover

Veteran

Chemical sunscreens are bad news for sensitive skin. I recommend Shiseido, which is an entirely physical sunscreen - no chemicals. Since you are concerned about white cast, I'd use the lotion over the cream. Finally, if you use a physical sunscreen, I recommend using a cleansing oil for removal as they are very water-resistant.

http://shop.nordstrom.com/s/sh.....pa/3084243

devon7

(website)

I second the recommendation for Shiseido. I have very sensitive skin and have been using their ultimate sun protection lotion (the link that DressLover posted) for at least 5 years now. I have melasma (dark patches on my face, also called "the mask of pregnancy") from when I took birth control pills, but it is lightened considerably since I started using this sunscreen every day. It provides excellent protection and is good under make-up.

I don't have problems with a white cast. I let the sunscreen settle into my skin for about 15 minutes (I do my hair and eye make-up in the interim), then I blot my face with Shiseido's blotting papers (I've tried other brands but love those) before applying my mineral foundation.

One thing to mention about the Shiseido sunscreen is that it's hard to remove. I've found that I really need to use Shiseido's Ultimate Cleansing Oil in order to properly remove the sunscreen at night. Both products are readily available at both Nordstrom and Sephora (and I'm sure many other places as well).

Atlantia

Veteran

Lately I am digging the liquidy sheer SkinCeuticals, after years of using the regular Physical UV Defense. The sheer SPF 50 doesn't give me as many problems with the whitish cast or with feeling sweaty in the summer.

http://www.skinceuticals.com/_.....SPF-50.htm

Kate

Veteran

Elly, oh no! D: I hope that wasn't my doing from a previous recommendation!