Best Sunscreen For Eczema Skin: Adults, Toddlers & Babies

Do you suffer from dry skin and eczema irritation?

Are you able to find relief from particular creams and lotions?

Is a good sunscreen one of the hardest things to find?

It can be incredibly hard to protect yourself from the sun’s harmful rays at the best of times, let alone when sunscreen only contributes to your eczema irritation.

However, with all the knowledge we have regarding the dangers of the sun, it’s important to protect your skin at all times.

Even eczema-prone skin should be covered in sunscreen when heading outdoors.

Finding an appropriate sunscreen that offers both protection and moisturizing qualities can be difficult. It’s even harder when it involves children, toddlers and babies.

This article covers three of the best sunscreens for eczema sufferers, regardless of age.

They’ll have you out about and enjoying the sun, totally irritation-free!

Why Is Eczema Affected by the Sun?

If you have ‘photosensitive eczema’, light itself can trigger your symptoms, so talk to a dermatologist about the right sun protection plan for you.

Some people find that a little sunlight helps their eczema, while for others sun, heat and sweat trigger flares.

Despite having the same condition, our skin and bodies all react differently in different situations.

Sunlight helps your body make vitamin D, which plays a role in skin defenses. Still, the evidence that sun exposure treats eczema is limited.

Dermatologists sometimes use carefully dosed light therapy for eczema. That’s very different from unprotected time in the sun.

Remember to stay safe in the sun by wearing a broad spectrum SPF 30+ sunscreen and staying hydrated. If you want to take supplements on top of this, check with your doctor first!

What To Look For When Buying Eczema Sunscreen?

Sunscreen is super important for everyone, regardless of how golden you might get on vacation.

For those with eczema, please be extra safe in the sun. It can be really helpful for some skin conditions, but make sure you’re taking safety precautions!

Look for mineral sunscreens with zinc oxide, titanium dioxide or both. Dermatologists recommend these physical sunscreens for sensitive skin, according to the American Academy of Dermatology.

Chemical filters are more likely to sting or irritate sensitive skin. Mineral sunscreens sit on top of the skin and are usually gentler.

Being hot and sticky isn’t fun for anyone, but it can aggravate eczema even more.

Choose a lightweight formula you’ll actually wear. Avoid added fragrances, which commonly irritate eczema-prone skin, and test a new product on a small patch first.

Try different products until you find something that works. There’s no ‘one size fits all’ when it comes to skincare!

Best Sunscreen For Adults With Eczema

Skin MD Natural Shielding Lotion for Face, Body and Hands + SPF 15

Skin MD Natural Shielding Lotion is a moisturizing lotion with SPF 15.

The brand says it helps protect skin from irritants, which is useful for dry, eczema-prone skin.

Note that SPF 15 is below the SPF 30 the American Academy of Dermatology recommends. It works best for short daily exposure, not long days outside.

Think of it as a moisturizer first and a sunscreen second.

For more time outdoors, choose a sunscreen with a higher SPF rating.

These may be more suitable in sunnier climates and for children, especially those that love playing in the water.

The problem then arises is that these sunscreens are often thick, greasy and hard to apply.

Not to mention that they can cause further irritation to eczema sufferers.

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pros & cons

The brand markets the lotion for adults and children. Sunscreen isn’t recommended for babies under 6 months, according to the FDA.

Adult users appear to be the target consumer group.

Many parents often prefer to use a higher SPF content in order to give their children a higher level of protection.

The name ‘shielding lotion’ indicates its intense and specific purpose.

Unlike other creams, lotions and sunscreens, the lotion creates a barrier on your skin to help seal in the moisture and protect your skin from outside irritants and chemicals.

That can help dry, eczema-prone skin hold on to moisture.

Still, reapply after sweating, as you would with any sunscreen.

conclusion

Skin MD Natural Shielding Lotion is ideal for everyday use as the non-greasy formula won’t leave your skin feeling shiny and sticky.

It works effectively under make up and won’t clog your pores, meaning that it will provide comfortable protection against the sun’s harmful rays.

This makes it a good option for regular, daily use on eczema-prone skin.

You’re more likely to use a treatment that leaves your skin feeling healthy and nourished, than one that’s thick and uncomfortable to wear.

The bottle is large, so it lasts a while even with daily use.

Pair it with shade, clothing or a higher-SPF sunscreen on longer days outdoors.

Best Sunscreen for Children With Eczema

TruKid Sunny Days Mineral Sunscreen

Finding the best sunscreen for kids with eczema is no easy task.

Children like to run around and sweat, play with water, and are constantly wiping their faces.

Add to this the fact that their skin can often be quite sensitive to irritation.

Products like sunscreen often exacerbate the problem.

TruKid Sunny Days Mineral Sunscreen offers high protection from the sun as it’s an SPF 30 broad spectrum sunscreen.

This means that it provides protection from both UVA and UVB rays at quite a high rating.

That’s ideal for kids who love to spend time outdoors.

It’s a physical sunscreen that contains both zinc oxide and titanium dioxide to form a protective barrier.

The American Academy of Dermatology still suggests applying sunscreen about 15 minutes before going outside, so put it on before your child heads out.

If your child is prone to eczema, TruKid Sunny Days Mineral Sunscreen is a gentler choice. It’s free from gluten, parabens, and phthalates.

It also helps with moisturizing and nourishing your child’s skin by containing natural ingredients such as aloe vera, coconut and jojoba oil.

Retaining moisture is key to helping alleviate the irritation and itchiness that’s often associated with eczema.

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pros & cons

The TruKid brand is made for children, toddlers and babies 6 months and older. For younger babies, use shade and clothing instead of sunscreen.

Adults can also apply the sunscreen which eliminates the need to buy multiple types of sunscreen for the whole family.

However, it comes in a small tube, so you may want to save it for the kids with eczema.

Another great aspect of TruKid Sunny Days Mineral Sunscreen is the fact that it’s environmentally friendly.

The bottle is made from BPA-free plastic. You’re not just protecting your children’s skin, but also the environment, as the tube can be recycled after you’ve finished with it.

Some consumers may find the sunscreen a little thick and difficult to rub in.

The thick consistency can make it difficult to wear on a regular basis under make up. It may feel a little sticky.

However, this shouldn’t have an impact when using it on children so it’s only a minor issue.

In fact, the thick consistency can provide a good indication of where you’ve applied the sunscreen. This helps to avoid missing any spots, therefore providing total coverage.

conclusion

The scent is a child-friendly orange, which is perfect for kids and toddlers, but may be a little off-putting on babies or adults.

However, the main target consumers of the sunscreen are kids. It’s important not to let your own, adult preferences get in the way of an effective sunscreen for your kids.

If your little ones suffer from eczema, this is one of the best sunscreens for toddlers with eczema.

Best Sunscreen for Babies With Eczema

Neutrogena Pure and Free Baby Sunscreen Lotion Broad Spectrum SPF 60

Babies have delicate and sensitive skin. Keep babies under 6 months out of direct sun; the FDA does not recommend sunscreen for them.

For older babies, sun exposure can be problematic when they’re exposed to the sun, but even more so if their already sensitive skin is prone to eczema.

Neutrogena is a known and trusted brand in the skincare industry.

Their knowledge and expertise have combined to create a sunscreen that’s extra gentle, tear-free, fragrance-free, and designed specifically with the needs of babies and toddlers in mind by dermatologist.

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pros & cons

The high SPF rating, along with the fact that it’s a broad spectrum, physical sunscreen, makes it the best sunscreen for babies with eczema.

It offers long-lasting protection from both UVA and UVB rays. The SPF rating of 60+ is higher than most other sunscreens, even those designed for ‘normal’ skin.

This is particularly important for use on babies’ skin as they are far more susceptible to the sun’s damage than adult skin.

Being a physical sunscreen means that it instantly creates a protective barrier. You don’t have to wait for a chemical reaction to happen before protection occurs.

Check the label for its water resistance time before swimming.

Just be sure to reapply it every two hours and immediately after towel-drying to ensure you’re giving your children and babies the maximum protection possible.

The Purescreen technology that’s used in Neutrogena’s Pure and Free Baby Sunscreen Lotion is unique to the Neutrogena brand.

It’s been awarded a Seal of Acceptance by the National Eczema Association.

That makes it a good pick for eczema-prone skin from 6 months and up.

It’s non-greasy, although it may leave you or your child with a slightly whiter than normal complexion. It may not be appropriate for use under makeup or concealer.

However, this small factor isn’t an issue when using the lotion on small children or babies.

In fact, the thickness can often help you see where you have applied the sunscreen so you don’t miss a spot!

conclusion

The bottle is large, so it lasts a good while.

It’s a gentle, fragrance-free option for babies over 6 months and anyone with sensitive skin.

Final Thoughts

Eczema can be painful, unsightly and cause incredible discomfort.

Children and babies in particular find it hard not to itch at the affected areas, often making the irritation worse.

Sun can also cause further irritation, not to mention a plethora of other nasty side effects on your skin and that of your child.

Finding the best sunscreen for eczema is necessary to provide both protection from the harmful sun and relief from unpleasant eczema.

This article should help you do just that.

Whether you’re looking for a sensitive, yet effective lotion for yourself, or a small child or baby, you now know what to buy.

The only job you have to do is apply the sunscreen regularly, enjoy the outdoors and benefit from the results!

If a sunscreen makes your eczema flare, stop using it and check with a dermatologist or your child’s pediatrician.

Sources

• Sunscreen FAQs, American Academy of Dermatology
• How to select a sunscreen, American Academy of Dermatology
• Sunscreen: How to Help Protect Your Skin from the Sun, FDA