My eyes! They burn like fire!

June 2, 2006 5:23 PM

I need a truly hypo-allergenic sunblock for my face.

When even a little sublock gets into my eyes (usually from my forehead when I sweat), it causes me so much pain that I cannot see at all. I need to flush my eyes with water for a few minutes to get back to normal. I assume this is an allergy of some sort, although I have no other allergies, and it's only my eyes (sunblock causes no other negative reactions on my skin). Coppertone and bullfrog seem to be really bad. Neutrogena Oil Free, L'oreal Ombrelle, and Headhunter are the least-worse. I'm fairly light skinned and burn easily, so I need SPF 30 or higher. Wearing a hat is not an option most of the time. Thanks.

posted by Spurious Packets to Health & Fitness (12 answers total)

This review of Blue Lizard suncream claims that it's hypoallergenic. I'm not sure if that is really going to help you though, as the basic components in sunblock are pretty standard across the brands, and it sounds like your eyes are just sensitive to one or more of them. Have you tried using the products meant for babies and infants for the specific areas around your eyes?
posted by Rhomboid at 5:46 PM on June 2, 2006

Some sunscreens contain some truly noxious things that are not intended for the eyes. Some brands carry a line specifically for the face which helps. I had the same problem you do and found that the new Aveeno Continuous protection sunblock for the face works well for me even through heavy biking or hiking in some truly obnoxious weather. You might want to look into a sunscreen that has only mineral blockers as its active ingredient if the facial sunscreens don't work. They're much less likely to cause allergic reactions and in fact are frequently marketed as specifically for sensitive skin. In general, the all body goops that only make an appearance once a year during the summer are hellishly bad on my eyes and greasy and nasty to boot.
posted by hindmost at 6:05 PM on June 2, 2006

Neostrata's Exuviance products work extremely well. This particular creme is sensitive and unlike Aveeno, not very aromatic. (I use Aveeno, but only to save a few bucks)
posted by SeizeTheDay at 6:13 PM on June 2, 2006

Sorry, didn't see that you needed SPF greater than 30. This is just 15 and it worked well for me, but I'm brown.
posted by SeizeTheDay at 6:23 PM on June 2, 2006

Doesn't sound like an allergy to me. All sunscreen stings when it gets into anybody's eyes. An allergy is when you have a reaction to it that most others don't have (more specifically, a histamine-producing reaction of the immune system -- which doesn't seem to be the symptoms you describe).

What you probably want to do is get as little on your forehead as possible. Have you tried the foam-type sunscreens? It comes out looking sort of like shaving cream (but it's much lighter, and, of course, it's absorbed quickly into the skin) and you can spread a little bit of the stuff a long way.
posted by winston at 6:53 PM on June 2, 2006

I have 4 children and all of us are extremely allergic to sunscreen. The more waterproof, the worse it is (Bullfrog!) In a pinch I picked up a cheap "stick" sunscreen for my son's soccer backpack because his coach required it. Wouldn't you know, it's the best thing ever! It reminds me of a chapstick. It is NO-AD SPF 30 Kids Sunblock Stick. It doesn't move once you put it on, it washes off completely with soap, and no rash! Yay!
posted by kgn2507 at 7:38 PM on June 2, 2006

the only sunscreen i've been able to use that doesn't make my skin break out is clinique...they're all pretty good but I like cityblock especially becuase it has a slight tint, nice consistency & comes in spf 45.
posted by octavia at 9:56 PM on June 2, 2006

I hate wearing sunscreen, it feels so toxic, what is that stuff made out of anyway?

Spurious Packets - I know you said you can't wear a hat, what about a headband or bandana?
posted by any major dude at 10:24 PM on June 2, 2006

I can't use any of the chemical sunscreens. They burn my skin. I use Neutrogena Sensitive Skin Sunblock Lotion. It's SPF 30 and the active ingredient is titanium dioxide which is a physical rather than chemical block.
posted by ereshkigal45 at 10:42 PM on June 2, 2006

Thanks, ereshkigal45, you just taught me something. I've been using Neutrogena's "Oil Free", which is a chemical block, 45 SPF. Yesterday I accidentally picked up the "Sensitive Skin" (30 SPF), thinking it was the same thing - I had no idea they were fundamentally different. Reading the bottles, I see that they are, very much so. Thanks!
posted by Dunwitty at 1:20 AM on June 3, 2006

I asked this question before and got some useful answers.
posted by zadcat at 6:10 AM on June 3, 2006

California Baby has a 'super sensitive' line that's hypo-allergenic with no fragrance that includes sunscreen stick for the face and sunscreen lotion.
posted by scubbadubba at 7:22 AM on June 3, 2006