Sunscreen ingredients to avoid for acne prone skin

You’ve heard it before and we will say it again -protecting your skin from harmful UV rays is absolutely imperative to your health and wellbeing. The damage that the sun’s harmful UV rays can do to your skin ranges from life threatening skin cancers to hyperpigmentation, wrinkles and more. Sun damage is the biggest contributor to the visible signs of ageing and wearing sunscreen can help to alleviate any further problems from arising prematurely.

Different skin types need different formulas

We understand that everyone will have varying complaints that need to be managed in a way that won’t cause further damage. Acne prone skin is a sensitive issue that needs to be treated with absolute care when it comes to topical treatments. When you start to use any new product on your skin, trial and error is definitely something to consider and there is certainly no exception to that rule when it comes to sun protection. We suggest patch testing any new sunscreen on your skin, especially in areas that are prone to breakouts, pore congestion, inflammation or sensitivity and aims to avoiding any major reactions.

Choosing the right sunscreen for you

A sunscreen is a sunscreen, right? Wrong. Like any skin care product, each formula can vary drastically between brands and so can the impact it has on your skin. When it comes to sunscreen there are a lot of elements that contribute to its effectiveness in protecting your skin. There are currently two different types of sunscreen that you will find on the market - chemical sunscreens and physical sunscreens, the latter being the best option for acne prone skin.

Chemical sunscreen 

This type of sunscreen uses the power of small amounts of harsh chemicals like Homosolate, Oxybenzone, Octinoxate, just to name a few, as they act as filters against harmful UV rays. Traditional chemical sunscreens penetrate the layers of skin and absorb into the body to enable conversion of the UV rays into heat that can be released from the skin.

Physical sunscreen

Relying on the minerals, zinc oxide or titanium dioxide, to physically block the sunlight from the skin and stop the damage that the UV rays cause. These non-nano natural filters in the sunscreen both absorb and reflect the UVB and UVA rays that can create havoc with your skin. Not only is it safe for your skin but a choice to switch to this type of formulation means you’ll also be protecting the planet as it is coral reef friendly.

The problem with chemical sunscreens when used on acne prone skin is the chemical reactions that cause inflammation and the fluid clogs pores, exacerbating the already challenging congestion. You should be looking for the following things in your sunscreen if you have acne prone skin:

• Fragrance free
• Non-comedogenic
• Broad spectrum
• Paraben free
• Oil free
• Not past used by date
• Natural ingredients
• No preservatives
• Non-nano zinc oxide/ titanium dioxide
• Lightweight formula

At The Skin Boutique we have a whole range of ways we can assist you with acne prone or sensitive skin. Book a consultation online today or find out more about how VISIA Skin Analysis can get you on the way to fantastic results for your skin. 

Would you like to know more about how to best protect your acne prone skin from sun damage? Don’t hesitate to make an enquiry with our skin care experts.