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Eczema and the sun factsheet

People with eczema are often concerned about protecting their skin from the sun and finding a
sunscreen that does not irritate their eczema. Parents have particular concerns about protecting
babies’ and children’s skin from the sun.

Some people find that their eczema improves with The general principles recommended by the British
exposure to sunlight (this is particularly true of the contact Association of Dermatologists for sun protection are
and discoid types), while others experience a worsening as follows:
of their condition.
➜ Slip on a shirt – wear sun protective clothing,
Rarely, eczema is directly caused by exposure to hats and sunglasses
ultraviolet light (sunlight). The term for this is
➜ Seek out the shade between 11.00am and 3:00pm.
'photosensitive eczema'.
Keep babies and young children out of direct sunlight
Certain drugs, chemicals and even plants can cause
➜ Slap on sunscreen. Use high protection SPF (minimum
the skin to become sensitive to sunlight. If you develop
SPF30) with 4-5 UVA stars. Apply 15-30 minutes
eczema or your eczema becomes a lot worse after sun
before going out, and every 2 hours after that.
exposure, check with your healthcare professional to
see if this could be due to your medication or some Sunscreens that offer both UVA and UVB protection are
other cause. ideal – these are sometimes labelled 'broad spectrum'
sunscreens.
Everyone should protect their skin from the sun all year
round. The sun’s rays can still penetrate in winter, but in Sunscreen can be removed unintentionally by sweating,
the UK they are more harmful between March and swimming or towel-drying. This is why regular application
October. Protect your skin too when you are enjoying is recommended with all sunscreens, including those
winter sports such as skiing, since the sun’s rays at high marketed as ‘once-a-day’ sunscreens.
altitude and reflecting off snow can be very strong.
Remember that the closer you are to the equator, the
Protecting skin with sunscreen
higher the UV radiation levels, so it is easy to burn People with eczema and sensitive skin can react to all
even when there is cloud cover. sorts of things, and finding a suitable sunscreen is a
matter of trial and error. When choosing a sunscreen,
General advice on sun protection you will need to consider the same things that you would
The websites of Cancer Research UK and the British consider when choosing an emollient (for example, it is
Association of Dermatologists are sources of up-to-date recommended that you avoid fragrance and other
information on sun protection: ingredients that are commonly associated with

• www.cancerresearchuk.org/about- sensitisation – see Tables on pages 3 and 4).

cancer/causes-of-cancer/sun-uv-and-cancer
• www.skinhealthinfo.org.uk/sun-awareness

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Eczema and the sun factsheet

Ingredient labels on products will help you avoid Practical advice and tips
substances to which you have a known sensitivity, but
„ Buy new sunscreen every year and discard it after
you should always be careful and make sure you test any
one year or before it has become contaminated or
new sunscreen before applying it liberally. You can do
separated. Store sunscreen in a cool, dry place away
this by dabbing a test area on the forearm before
from direct sunlight or, if on holiday, always keep it in
applying it to the whole body, just in case it causes a
the shade.
reaction or stings. It is recommended that you do this
once a day for five days as sensitisation can take some „ Apply sunscreen generously for greater effectiveness
time to develop. It is also recommended that you patch – most people apply too little. Apply all over sun-
test sunscreens that you have used in the past, since the exposed areas (the back and sides of the neck,
formulation – or indeed your skin – may have changed. temples and ears are commonly missed areas).

There are two types of sunscreen: „ Remember to reapply sunscreen every 2 hours
during the day and after swimming, sweating and
1. Chemical absorbers, which absorb UV radiation
towel-drying.
2. Mineral-based reflectors (usually containing
„ Avoid rubbing in sunscreen, as this may trigger
titanium dioxide), which reflect UV radiation.
itchiness. Apply it in smooth, downward strokes,
Many people with eczema seem to find mineral-based as you would apply an emollient.
sunscreens less irritating to their skin than chemical
„ Sunscreens come in a variety of formulations: creams,
absorbers. However, titanium dioxide can leave a white
lotions, gels, sticks and sprays. As with emollients,
sheen on the skin and this can be off-putting, particularly
choose the one that suits you the best and does not
for people with darker skin.
irritate your skin. Sprays are particularly useful for
As with all products used on the skin, what works for one children.
person with eczema will not necessarily work for another.
„ Nothing blocks 100% of the sun’s rays, so you should
wear protective clothing and a hat as well as applying
Emollients and sunscreen
sunscreen every 2 hours.
Sun exposure is drying to the skin. Try to apply your
emollient about half an hour before applying sunscreen. „ Carry out a five-day self-patch test on sunscreens
This will prevent the sunscreen from becoming diluted by before you go on holiday.
the emollient and will ensure that the sunscreen keeps its „ Leave a gap of around 30 minutes between applying
protective properties. an emollient and a sunscreen (apply emollient first).

If you are using an emollient that is greasy or oily, be Without the application of sunscreen, emollient can
careful not to overdo application as this can cause a cause a ‘frying effect’, which can include harmful
‘frying’ effect in the sun. burning.

Babies and young children should always use sun

protective clothing with a built-in SPF50. This clothing
is also available for adults who have sensitivity to
sunscreen. Exposed areas of skin should still have
sunscreen applied to them every 2 hours.

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Eczema and the sun factsheet

Sunscreen product suggestions • Mustela Very High Protection Sun Lotion SPF50

Here are some examples of mineral-based, • SunSense Kids SPF50

unfragranced products which seem to suit many people • SunSense Sensitive SPF50
with eczema. This is not an exhaustive list:
• SunSense Ultra SPF50
• Isdin Fotoprotector Pediatrics Fusion Fluid Mineral Baby
• Uvistat SPF30, SPF50
SPF50
We do not recommend any one sunscreen, as what
• La Roche-Posay Anthelios range SPF50
suits one person will not necessarily suit another.

Perfume / fragrance and fragrance allergens

International Nomenclature of Cosmetic Other names / Trade names
Ingredients (INCI) name
Parfum Perfume, fragrance
Amyl cinnamal
Benzyl alcohol
Cinnamyl alcohol
Citral
Eugenol
Hydroxycitronellal Hydroxy-citronellal
Isoeugenol
Amylcinnamyl alcohol Amyl-cinnamyl alcohol
Benzyl salicylate
Cinnamal
Coumarin
Geraniol
Hydroxyisohexyl 3-cyclohexene carboxaldehyde Hydroxy-methylpentylcyclohexenecarboxaldehyde Lyral
Anise alcohol Anisyl alcohol
Benzyl cinnamate
Farnesol
Butylphenyl methylpropional 2-(4-tert-butylbenzyl) propionaldehyde Lilial
Linalool
Benzyl benzoate
Citronellol
Hexyl cinnamal Hexyl cinnamaldehyde
Limonene d-Limonene
Methyl 2-octynoate Methyl heptin carbonate (MHC)
Alpha-Isomethyl ionone 3-Methyl-4-(2,6,6-tri-methyl-2-cyclohexen-1-yl)
-3-buten-2-one
Evernia prunastri Oak moss extract
Evernia furfuracea Treemoss extract
Source: The Cosmetic, Toiletry and Perfumery Association (CTPA) consumer website: www.thefactsabout.co.uk (Allergy advice section)

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Eczema and the sun factsheet

Preservatives
International Nomenclature of Chemical name or common name Trade name(s) examples
Cosmetic Ingredients (INCI) name
2-Bromo-2-nitropropane-1,3-diol Bronopol
Diazolidinyl urea Formaldehyde releaser Germall II
DMDM hydantoin Formaldehyde releaser
Formaldehyde Formaldehyde
Imidazolidinyl urea Formaldehyde releaser Germall 115
Methylisothiazolinone 2-Methyl-4-isothiazolin-3-one
Mi or MIT
Methylchloroisothiazolinone and 5-Chloro-2-Methyl-4-isothiazolin-3-one / Kathon CG
methylisothiazolinone 2-Methyl-4-isothiazolin-3-one Euxyl K100
C(M)IT/MIT
UV filters
International Nomenclature of Chemical name or common name Trade name(s) examples
Cosmetic Ingredients (INCI) name
Benzophenone-3 Oxybenzone Eusolex 4360
Escalol 567
Uvinul M 40
Butyl methoxydibenzoylmethane Avobenzone Eusolex 9020
Parsol 1789
Ethylhexyl dimethyl PABA FOctyl dimethyl PABA Eusolex 6007
Padimate O Escalol 507
Uvasorb DMO
Ethylhexyl methoxycinnamate Octinoxate Eusolex 2292
Octyl methoxycinnamate Parsol MCX

Other
International Nomenclature of Chemical name or common name Trade name(s) examples
Cosmetic Ingredients (INCI) name
BHT Butylated hydroxytoluene
Colophonium Colophony, rosin
Lanolin (and derivatives) Lanolin / wool alcohols

Source: The Cosmetic, Toiletry and Perfumery Association (CTPA) consumer website: www.thefactsabout.co.uk (Allergy advice section)

DISCLAIMER
Our publications contain information and general advice about eczema. They are written and reviewed by dermatology experts, with input from people with eczema.
We hope you find the information helpful, although it should not be relied upon as a substitute for personalised advice from a qualified healthcare professional. While
we strive to ensure the information is accurate and up-to-date, National Eczema Society does not accept any liability arising from its use. We welcome reader feedback
on our publications, please email us at info@eczema.org

Factsheet last reviewed September 2019.

© National Eczema Society, June 2019. All rights reserved. Except for personal use, no part of this work may be distributed, reproduced, downloaded, transmitted or
stored in any form without the written permission of National Eczema Society.

National Eczema Society is the UK charity for everyone affected by eczema. We help support
people with eczema, providing information and advice, which we deliver through our
website, social media, campaigns, publications and nurse-supported Helpline. We also
provide a voice for people with eczema, raising awareness of the condition, supporting
research into new treatments and campaigning for better medical care.

National Eczema Society Helpline: 0800 448 0818 Email: helpline@eczema.org www.eczema.org 4