SUN SENSITIVITY AND SUN REACTIONS:
SUN ALLERGY RASHES

Everyone needs sun protection, but some people are especially sensitive or even allergic to the sun. 

YOUR QUESTIONS
OUR ANSWERS

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What is the best sunscreen for sensitive skin?

Some sunscreens can cause unpleasant stinging sensations on sensitive skin. Opt for broad-spectrum UVA-UVB protection that is tested on the most sensitive skin, such as the ANTHELIOS range from the sensitive skin specialist brand La Roche-Posay. All ANTHELIOS products integrate naturally anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidant La Roche-Posay Thermal Spring Water to soothe sensitive skin.


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How can I protect my skin from the sun allergy rashes?

Sun exposure puts you at risk of sunburn, as well as the long-term dangers of premature ageing and skin cancer. To stay safe in the sun, seek shade between 11 am and 3 pm, wear a hat, protective clothing and sunglasses. In addition to these measures, generously apply broad-spectrum UVA-UVB sunscreen every 2 hours to any area of exposed skin.


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What is sunscreen SPF?

SPF stands for “sun protection factor”. It relates to your sunscreen’s ability to protect skin against UVB rays which cause burning. The higher the number, the greater the protection. When in the sun, you are recommended to apply a minimum of SPF 30 every 2 hours. A golfball-sized amount is required for the whole body.


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How can I protect my skin from the sun without sunscreen?

Dermatologists recommend wearing hats, sunglasses and protective clothing as well as seeking shade when the sun is at its strongest. But sunscreen is at the core of sun protection strategies and cannot be omitted from your routine. ANTHELIOS sunscreens undergo rigorous testing on even the most sensitive skin to ensure total safety.


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Which sunscreen is safe for coral reefs?

Both of the primary filters in La Roche-Posay’s ANTHELIOS range, Mexoryl SX and Mexoryl XL, have been extensively tested with regard to marine environments. In ecotoxicology testing, 5 weeks’ exposure to these filters at concentrations higher than those found in sea water neither induced coral bleaching nor had any negative effect on the coral’s symbiotic micro-algae.


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TRUE
OR FALSE

True or False Visual 1

DARK CLOTHES ARE
BETTER-SUITED FOR THE SUN.

TRUE  "True" answer image

Indeed, dark and intense colours such as black, navy, red, or emerald green, provide more UV protection than white and pastels. So make sure you bring along some dark colours items of clothing too when packing for your next holidays!
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True or False Visual 3

CHILDREN ARE MORE
VULNERABLE TO THE SUN.

TRUE  "True" answer image

Sun safety is of paramount importance for children, especially when you know that 50 - 80% of UV-related damage occurs beforethe age of 20 years old, and that 1 out of 55 people born in 2008 will one day developa melanoma. But this risk can be drastically reduced with the proper protection
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True or False Visual 2

SUN IS GOOD
FOR YOUR KID.

FALSE  "False" question image

Children's skin is particularly vulnerable to the harmful effects of the sun. That's why paediatricians and dermatologists agree that babies and toddlers under 3 years old should have no direct sun exposure whatsoever. After this age, make sure you use a high-protection broad-spectrum UVA-UVB sunscreen like Anthelios.
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SUN SENSITIVITY AND SUN REACTIONS
SUN ALLERGIES

This is called photosensitivity and can arise for a variety of reasons:

  • Sun allergy, or “polymorphous light eruption,” where the skin breaks out in annoyingly itchy red bumps following sun exposure;
  • Skin with a very fair phototype (skin tone), where the skin tends to burn with even mild sun exposure (red heads with freckles and blue eyes are particularly vulnerable)
  •  Certain ingredients in skincare products such as AHAs, retinol and benzoyl peroxide can make the skin ultra-sensitive to UV, resulting in rashes following exposure;
  • Some medications taken by mouth, especially tetracycline antibiotics and the acne drug isotretinoin (Accutane), can cause sudden swelling or irritation in response to sun exposure;
  • Skin with underlying problems such as eczema, acne or rosacea can be aggravated by the drying effect of the sun;
  • Some cancer treatments cause the skin to be more sensitive to sunlight. Exposure to ultraviolet (UV) radiation puts you at risk for very intense sunburns, so it is generally advised to avoid any sun exposure. You should be even more careful if you are undergoing radiation therapy, as chronic radiodermatitis may occur, in some cases even several years after your treatment.
  • Certain pre-existing medical conditions such as lupus can make skin photosensitive and break out in rashes following UV exposure.

SUN ALLERGY OR PHOTOSENSITIVITY?
PREVENTION IS KEY

In all cases of sun allergy or photosensitivity, whatever the cause, your buzzword is prevention and following a few simple steps can make all the difference.

Particularly in spring and summer, wear protective clothing (hat, long-sleeved shirt etc.). Always choose a broad-spectrum sunscreen with ideally an SPF of 50+ and apply it to any areas of exposed skin. Avoid exposure when the sun is at its strongest between 10 am and 4 pm.

In this subsection, you will find a comprehensive guide to sun allergy, also known as polymorphous light eruption or benign summer light eruption, with crucial tips on how to avoid those annoyingly itchy summer rashes.

You’ll also find useful information on photosensitising medications and how to care for your skin if you are taking them.

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Did you
know?

woman holding a jar of La Roche-Posay Cicaplast Baume B5, with a blue background

Snow, water and sand reflect UV rays*. Even in the shade, infants need to be protected from indirect exposure.

*source: https://www.soleil.info/uv-meteo/soleil-terre-et-uv/altitude-et-reverberation-plus-duv.html

OUR SAFETY
COMMITMENTS

Safety standards beyond international cosmetics regulations.

a model with their eyes closed showing their skin being allergy tested

100% PRODUCTS
ALLERGY TESTED

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One Prerequisite = Zero Allergic reactions
If we detect a single case, we go back to the labs and reformulate
a model's face with a product on their forehead to protect their skin

FORMULA PROTECTION
OVER TIME

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We select the most protective packaging associated with only the necessary preservatives, to guarantee intact tolerance and efficacy over time.
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JUST THE ESSENTIAL,
AT THE RIGHT ACTIVE DOSE

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Developed in collaboration with dermatologist and toxicologist, our products contain only the necessary ingredients, at the right active dose.
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TESTED
ON VERY SENSITIVE
 SKIN

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Our products' tolerance is verified on the most sensitive skin: reactive, allergic, acne-prone, atopic, damaged or weakened by cancer treatments.

DEAR
READERS

The information displayed here is intended for general educational purposes only and should not in any case be a substitute for professional medical advice. You should always seek the advice of a qualified health provider with any medical question.