Warning: Sunscreen you love actually caused painful chemical burns

Drugstore spf leaves kid with chemical burns

An article told the story of a toddler that suffered red blistered skin due to a chemical burn. Her mom had applied a common sunscreen to protect the girls skin while at the beach. What happened?

The article tried to blame ingredients that were "not-natural". But the reality is that kids are more likely to have allergies and skin reactions. Most will grow out of it as adults.

Truth is we can be allergic to ANYTHING.

I've had clients allergic to lavender, eucalyptus, and flax seed. A natural skincare preservative is also starting a round of new skin allegies. So allergies are not about "natural" or "not-natural" ingredients.

What can you do?

1. Patch test.

This is easy. At least 1 to 2 days before using a product apply it on a patch of skin. We recommend by the ear since it is easy to cover up. Leave it on all day. Check it at the end of the day. If there is no reaction then it should be ok to apply all over the face.

2. Mechanical vs Chemical Sunscreen

We identify sunscreens by how they act on the skin. A mechanical sunscreen sits on the surface and works like a shield to stop the sun from hitting the skin.

Pro: Great for sensitive skin, Better UVA/Cloudy day protection. Con: Rinses off easily so it's not water resistant; some leave a white film on skin.

A chemical suncreen absorbs into the skin. When the sun hits the skin it's captured by chemical suncreen, stopping it from entering the skin. Then its transformed into heat and released from the skin.

Pro: Lighter texture, can be very water resistant. Con: Irritating to skin that can't deal with heat, eg: Rosacea, sensitive, post surgery.

When choosing an Spf you'll usually find a mix of mechanical and chemical sunscreens. Mechanical sunscreens are Zinc Oxide and Titanium Dioxide. Chemical sunscreens inclued octinoxinate (derived from cinnamon), octisalicate (derived from willow bark). Mexoryl SX is a chemical sunscreen with some UVA protection.
Note: Zinc Oxide is still our best SPF protection. But no sunscreen can offer 100% sun block. So layer your sun protection with hats, clothing, shade and reapplying spf every 2 hours.

3. Start now before summer hits.

Now is the right time to start testing out sunscreens on your kids. You need to find the right texture, sunscreen ingrediet and protection. And your child will have a more sensitive skin than you. So patch testing sunscreens now will give you options that are safe your you and your family.

We offer a variety of excellent quality sunscreens at Tuscany Spa

From water-resistent to sensitive skin options. Sunscreens that blend the best of Chemical and Mechanical ingredients. Ultra Sensitive skin suncreens with only Mechanical spf ingredients. We have a suncreens with dna repair ingredients, antioxidants and healing green tea. Try them out. You'll find the right one for both your skin and your precious little one.

Visit us at Tuscany Spa Skin & Body Clinic, 2210 Florencita Drive West, Montrose CA 91020. Purchase online at TuscanySkinSpa.com

What is your favorite sunscreen? Do you have any sun protection questions? Leave me a comment below.

Here's to a great, safe summer,

Michelle of Tuscany Spa