Vitamin C serums are amazing and a little bit of niacinamide here and there can really make your skin glow. But while there are many skincare ingredients that are exceptional (and are considered “extra credit” products), sunscreen is that one ingredient that experts consider the true non-negotiable part of your skincare routine. Along with retinol (another recommended ingredient with star power), sunscreen can help fend off signs of aging like wrinkles, fine lines, and dark spots — and it has been proven effective.
You already know the myriad reasons why you should be applying sunscreen daily. But what the heck is actually happening when you feel an uncomfortable sting on your skin after an application? Turns out: some sunscreens are not the best options if you have sensitive and aging skin, and that’s all because of two ingredients. Before you stock up on your summer supply of sunscreen, these are the two ingredients dermatologists and skin experts say you should avoid at all costs if you have sensitive, aging skin.
Oxybenzone and Added Fragrances
For delicate, aging skin, dermatologists advise avoiding two potential irritating ingredients: oxybenzone and perfumes.
Let’s start with Ozybenzone — the more scandalous of the two. Ozybenzone is a chemical that is sometimes used in products like plastic toys and even furniture finishes to help prevent UV absorption. As you can imagine, something you would add to furniture to keep its color from fading in sunlight probably isn’t the best ingredient to place on our skin. And research backs this up: In a 2008 government study, it was found that ozybenzone can cause skin allergies photo allergies, hormonal changes in boys, and shorter pregnancies in women. When given to rats, it was found to disrupt their endocrine systems by mimicking hormone activity.
Oxybenzone is very easy to absorb when applied to the skin. It even poses negative environmental consequences. In 2021, Hawaii banned sales of products like sunscreen contain oxybenzone because it has been found to bleach and cause genetic damage to coral reef and ocean organisms.
But back to your sensitive skin. That sting you may be experiencing when you apply sunscreen could very well be attributed to oxybenzone, as it is notoriously aggravating, especially on sensitive skin. “One chemical that has the potential to irritate the skin and make acne more likely is oxybenzone,” says Dr. Anna Chacon, a board-certified dermatologist and writer at MyPsoriasisTeam. “Avoid using Oxybenzone if you have sensitive skin or acne-prone skin. If your skin is prone to acne, choose sunscreens with mineral ingredients.”
What about added fragrance?
The smell of sunscreen can bring you back to childhoods spent on the beach or by the pool. It can be a beautifully nostalgic scent — but rarely is it considered a great scent. Much of this has to do with the fact that ingredients like zinc oxide and titanium that are blended into the formula to shield your skin from harmful sun rays are also not exact flowery. If you don’t have sensitive skin or skin issues, scented sunscreen may be a delight. But if you do, that discomfort and dryness you experience — and possibly even a rash — could be directly related to added fragrance.
“People with sensitive skin may experience skin discomfort from synthetic fragrances,” Dr. Chacon says. “Those with sensitive skin may be more vulnerable to developing contact dermatitis from scented goods because fragrances have been linked to eczema and skin irritation. Rosacea, eczema, dry skin, allergies, and asthma are all frequently present in people with sensitive skin.”
Oxybenzone and added perfumes take the cake when it comes to sunscreen ingredients that can irritate your skin, but Dr. Chacon also warns against these additional ingredients:
Para-aminobenzoic acid (PABA): “Due to allergic dermatitis, photosensitivity, and a propensity to stain garments, its use has decreased,” Dr. Chacon says. “PABA has been linked in some studies to thyroid-disrupting activity, which raises questions regarding potential long-term health implications.”
Octinoxate: People who use octinoxate may get contact dermatitis and acne. Dr. Chacon notes — but she also adds that only a small subset of people with certain skin allergies have been shown to experience this.
But it’s not all bad news. There are so many sunscreens on the market today that have eliminated ingredients like oxybenzone, added fragrances, and other irritating ingredients — and that provide nourishment to sensitive, mature skin — on top of stellar sun protection. Some of Dr. Chacon’s personal favorites for mature and sensitive skin include these picks:
** EltaMD UV Daily Tinted Moisturizing Facial Sunscreen SPF 40
** Neutrogena Age Shield Face Sunscreen SPF 110
** La Roche-Posay Anthelios Light Fluid Sunscreen SPF 60
** La Roche Posay Anthelios Clear Skin Sunscreen SPF 60
** Kinship Self Reflect Probiotic Moisturizing Sunscreen Zinc Oxide SPF 32
** CeraVe 100% Mineral Sunscreen SPF 50
