Seborrheic dermatitis is a common skin condition that causes redness, itching, and flakiness, especially on the scalp and face. Although sun protection is essential for everyone, finding the right sunscreen for your sensitive skin can be a challenge. The wrong sunscreen may worsen seborrheic dermatitis symptoms, leading to further irritation and discomfort. Therefore, understanding the link between sunscreen and seborrheic dermatitis is crucial to help manage your skin condition effectively.
When searching for a sunscreen, you need to identify products specifically designed for sensitive skin and won’t exacerbate seb derm symptoms. Be aware of potential allergic reactions, such as photoallergic contact dermatitis, where ingredients in the sunscreen, when activated by UV rays, can cause skin flaring. By selecting a sunscreen that addresses your skin’s unique needs, you can enjoy the sun without compromising your skin’s health, reduce flare-ups, and increase comfort in your daily life.
Check out: The 5 Best Sunscreens for Seborrheic Dermatitis
Should I use sunscreen when I have seborrheic dermatitis?
Wearing sunscreen is crucial for everyone, but it becomes even more important when dealing with a skin condition like seborrheic dermatitis. Sun exposure can aggravate the condition, making it crucial for you to protect your skin from harmful UV rays.
Sunscreen protects your skin from the harmful effects of ultraviolet (UV) radiation. UV radiation can lead to skin cancer, sunburn, and premature skin aging. This is especially important when you’re having a Seb Derm flare as your skin barrier is impaired and can’t do its usual job of protecting you.
Don’t make the same mistake I did and go out into the sun to ‘burn Malassezia’ off my face. I read that the sun can reduce Malassezia growth. Maybe it can. But it also gave me the worst sunburn in my life.
Use sunscreen.
Check it out on AmazonWhen selecting a sunscreen, consider its Sun Protection Factor (SPF). Aim for a product with a minimum SPF of 30, as it will offer better protection from the sun’s harmful rays. Reapply the sunscreen every two hours or more frequently if you’re swimming or sweating.
When you have seborrheic dermatitis, look for sunscreens with gentle, non-irritating formulas. Sunscreens containing zinc oxide or titanium dioxide offer broad-spectrum protection and are well tolerated by sensitive skin types, making them suitable for seborrheic dermatitis. These ingredients are less likely to irritate your skin.
Chemical sunscreens are better than not using sunscreen at all but there is a concern that the chemicals will absorb more readily into your blood stream due to your impaired skin barrier.
Check it out on AmazonCan I use sunscreen during a seborrheic dermatitis flare?
Yes, you can use sunscreen during a seborrheic dermatitis flare, but choose a product that won’t further irritate your skin or exacerbate your condition. This can be challenging.
Unfortunately, the vast majority of sunscreens contain oils that may worsen Seb Derm. Having said that, I’ve found when these oils are present only in small amounts as part of a bigger list of ingredients, they don’t cause too much trouble.
In addition to choosing the right sunscreen, practice proper sun safety. Make sure to:
- Apply your sunscreen 15 minutes before sun exposure, allowing it to fully absorb into your skin.
- Reapply sunscreen at least every two hours and after swimming or excessive sweating.
- Wear protective clothing like wide-brimmed hats and long sleeves to shield your skin from the sun.
Check it out on AmazonThis way you’ll be able to protect your skin from harmful UV rays while managing your seborrheic dermatitis flare.
Does sunscreen aggravate seborrheic dermatitis?
Sunscreen can potentially aggravate your seborrheic dermatitis rash if you use the wrong product. It’s a real catch 22 as you can see below:
- If you don’t use sunscreen, you’ll most definitely run the risk of sunburn. This will definitely aggravate your symptoms and it will take longer for your skin barrier to repair.
- If you use chemical sunscreens, most (if not all) contain alcohols and other chemical additives that may dry out your skin, causing more flaking. There is also a risk that you’re absorbing more of these potentially toxic chemicals into your blood stream due to your impaired skin barrier.
- If you use physical sunscreens, most (it not all) contain some oils like sunflower oil and other long chain fatty acids (LCFA) that can feed Malassezia, cause irritation and worsen your flare.
At this stage, you are probably thinking you might as well give up. All is not lost. These are only risks. They may or may not happen. I recommend choosing a physical sunscreen (these are my recommendations) and trying it for a few days. You may find it doesn’t aggravate your Seb Derm at all.
Remember to always perform a patch test on a small area of your skin before applying any new product, including sunscreen. This will help you ensure the product is suitable for your skin and identify any potential allergic reactions.
You could always just stay in-doors during the peak of your flare. Then you don’t have to use sunscreen at all for a few days!
