Finding the Right Sunscreen for Sensitive Skin

June 15, 2011

It's about that time. Well, in some parts of the country it's summer already. In other parts of the world, not so much. Here in Southern California, it's June gloom. Which means no sun for us, but that doesn't mean that we can't burn. The whole family wears sunscreen when out and about, including Boo. However, not all sunscreens work well with her skin.

a rash of white bumps as a result of a certain sunscreen

Mama Rachel commented on our Facebook page that Boo has awesome skin (thanks Rachel!). I have to agree. But I also can't take credit for it. I'm pretty certain that she was blessed with great genes. She rarely has skin sensitivities and doesn't dry out all that easily either. But when she does have a problem with a product, we can't miss it. Her skin will break out in teeny-tiny little white bumps wherever her skin came in contact with the offending product. This time it was a particular brand of sunscreen.

bumps everywhere we applied sunscreen

We usually use anything by California Baby, mostly because it's readily available and, well, works. But we've also used Coppertone Sensitive Skin (or even Coppertone Water Babies) in a pinch. However, this last weekend we were without any of our regular sunscreens so Daddy used Banana Boat Sport Performance sunscreen. And the above photos are the result.

Does this mean that what we used will cause problems for your little one? Absolutely not. Some kids are sensitive to ingredients with which other kids are totally fine. And vice-versa. I've always used the Environmental Work Group (EWG) web site for sunscreens to get data on which ones I feel are okay to try on my daughter. California Baby has a good rating of 1/2 (low hazard), Coppertone Sensitive Skin has a 3 rating, Water Babies a 5, and Banana Boat Sport a 7 (a 7 is considered "high hazard"). So I guess that Boo's skin responds pretty much along the scale of the EWG annual report, which makes it pretty easy for us to pick our sunscreens. I highly recommend checking them out if you're looking for sunscreens for your little one and have yet to find something that will work with his or her sensitive skin. They update their report annually and also cover lip balms, moisturizers, and make-up:

EWG's Skin Deep, Sunscreens 2011

(As a note, there are plenty of "natural," homemade-like sunscreens out there that many people use, and I know even a few people who make their own. We don't fall into this category, mainly because I'm a scaredy-cat and don't want to mess around with sunburns. So I go with a marketed brand with which I feel comfortable. I guess this is my way of feeling like I have someone else to blame besides myself it doesn't work.)

For Boo's skin issues arising from sunscreen usage, we just stop using the sunscreen. We don't need to apply anything to her skin for clearing it up; it does so on it's own in a day or two. However, we have found that sunscreens like Water Babies must be washed off in a bath with soap and water after playing outside or she will develop a rash. I guess the longer the contact with her skin, the more likely she is to have a reaction.

However, if your little one has a rash that is causing pain, or is not clearing up on it's own, please see your doctor. A topical hydrocortisone cream may be recommended/prescribed, or it might not be related to the sunscreen.

Now, time for me to hit the store and get some more Boo-approved sunscreen; no doubt we'll be needing it again soon!

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For more information on sunscreen, see "Sunscreen Blues: The Difference Between Physical and Chemical Sunscreens."