How to choose a sunscreen for sensitive skin
Wearing sunscreen is an important part of daily life but choosing one that will protect (and pamper) easily irritated skin can be challenging – until now.
We all know we should slip, slop, slap, seek and slide, even in the cooler weather.
So you smooth on your SPF, only to feel that familiar tingling and stinging sensation on your skin. Then there’s the unsightly inflammation and lingering prickly heat that follows.
If you have sensitive skin that reacts to different products and ingredients, you’ll already know how difficult it can be to find a non-irritating sunscreen.
You’re not alone in having sensitive skin
A US review of different scientific studies into the prevalence of sensitive skin found that more than half of both men and women may experience this discomfort during their lives.
Unfortunately, the need for sun protection is just as great for those with sensitive skin as for those without.
Cancer Council Australia research published in 2015 showed that regular sunscreen use over a decade prevented more than 1700 cases of melanoma and 14,000 cases of non-melanoma skin cancer in one year alone.
So unless you plan on living like a vampire and venturing out only at night, it’s crucial to invest in your skin’s good health by finding a gentle formula your skin will appreciate.
Finding a sunscreen for sensitive skin
With high-tolerance formulas and the highest possible SPF*, the Avène sun care range is specifically designed for sensitive skin that needs strong protection against the sun – but with a minimum number of chemical filters.
Avène’s patented SunSitive® Protection formula uses an exclusive combination of ingredients that can aid in helping to prevent solar keratosis (those rough, scaly patches caused by skin damage), sunspots and premature skin ageing. Importantly, it may assist in preventing some skin cancers.
And if you have little ones you want to keep them sun safe, Avène’s Sunscreen Spray for Children SPF50+ is fragrance free to respect their delicate skin.
Even better, the entire range comes in an easy-to-apply and quickly absorbed formula that moisturises without leaving those lovely white marks you spend all day trying to blend in!
Is your sensitive skin already breathing a sigh of relief? Avène also has a variety of skincare suitable for different skin conditions such as acne and eczema-prone skin, psoriasis, rosacea and mild to hypersensitive skin, which can be used in combination with its sunscreens.
Added bonus: The multiple benefits of Avène Thermal Spring Water
If all that’s not enough, we couldn’t let this story end without a few words about the soothing and softening properties of Avène Thermal Spring Water.
Originating from the Saint Odile spring in south-eastern France and made up of very old rainfall, this thermal spring water’s unique composition has made it hugely popular for those with sensitive, hypersensitive and allergic skin since it was first discovered in 1736.
In 1871, the same spring water was even used to help soothe the burnt skin of victims of the Great Chicago Fire in the US, and it is a key ingredient in all Avène products, including its sun care range.
As part of your daily skincare routine it works for toning, while travelling, after the gym or just to refresh – providing comfort for a range of everyday skin irritations including sunburn, shaving rash, facial redness, itching, post-surgery or laser, eczema and nappy rash.
This post is brought to you by Avène Sun Care.
*Highest label claim allowed as per AS/NZS 2604:2012; Very High. SPF 50+, Broad Spectrum.
ALWAYS READ THE LABEL. FOLLOW THE DIRECTIONS FOR USE. AVOID PROLONGED HIGH-RISK SUN EXPOSURE. FREQUENT RE-APPLICATION OR USE IN ACCORDANCE WITH DIRECTIONS IS REQUIRED FOR EFFECTIVE SUN PROTECTION. WEAR PROTECTIVE CLOTHING, HATS AND EYEWEAR WHEN EXPOSED TO THE SUN.
