Question:
Bumpy skin caused by sun!
I have a problem that I hope someone will be able to help me with. When the sun comes out and I start exposing myself, as you do (albeit with sun protection every day!) I get these red little bumps all over my face and chest. It's not heat rash/prickly heat because it's not at all itchy, and the bumps mainly on my forehead and along my jawline, as well as my chest. I have no idea what this is - I've tried different sun creams, but somehow I don't think that's what the problem is, as I didn't used to get it when I lived in Sweden, it's only ever happened when I've been living in the UK.
Oh, on my chest they eventually develop into little whiteheads (great look with summer tops, let me tell you...).
Has anyone had the same problem?
Thanks a lot
Emily
It sounds like your skin is reacting to your sun lotion. It sounds irritated and the pores are getting clogged too.
It is quite hard finding a non comedogenic (pore blocking) sunscreen and one that doesn't irritate too.
I would recommend you look out for physical sunscreens which are zinc oxide/titanium dioxide based and don't irritate the skin like chemical sunscreens can.
Ren have just come out with a new natural sunscreen range which I'm very tempted by :)
I'm using the new Clarins spf 40 one and that is great, nice and light and you don't notice you're wearing it. It's a bit pricey though £24 for 30 ml.
Hope you find a solution soon :(
See, I don't think it is the sunscreen. I've been using Clinique Superdefense since February and I've trusted that as my facial sunscreen (did last summer and my face barely tanned!). So I've not changed anything until after these spots have come up, when I've started putting a facial sunscreen on with physical filter. That's why I'm so puzzled, I can't work out what it is since it's not itchy.
Thanks though :)
It could be Polymorphic Light Eruption. I've suffered from this ever since I over did it in the sun one year in Majorca. It's a reaction to the rays. Mine are usually on my knees, feet, hands and chest and get worse the longer I'm in the sun. There is loads of info on the internet if you think it could be this. Unfortunately there is not a lot you can do about it once you have it.
Wow, kirsty, you're the first person I've come across, other than myself, who has this condition! Not very constructive I know, but at least I feel a little less alone now :)
I get mine on the backs of my hands and fingers, and on my chest. I bought a broad-spectrum sunblock from Dermalogica which seems to help a little but I've found that many sunscreens just aggravate my PMLE. I'm off to Kenya in a few months and I've been told to be very careful regarding mosquito repellants containing Deet.
PMLE is not debilitating but I've found it can really spoil my day. On holiday recently we were cycling everywhere and I got eruptions on the inside of my forefingers. By the end of the day I was in real discomfort where they had rubbed on the handlebars. I've changed my diet since being diagnosed with food allergies and, coincidentally or not, I spent all day outdoors on Sunday in the heat and sun without one eruption! Whether this was a one-off remains to be seen but I live in hope.
Apparently scientists in Australia are working on a treatment at the moment.
I have a problem that I hope someone will be able to help me with. When the sun comes out and I start exposing myself, as you do (albeit with sun protection every day!) I get these red little bumps all over my face and chest. It's not heat rash/prickly heat because it's not at all itchy, and the bumps mainly on my forehead and along my jawline, as well as my chest. I have no idea what this is - I've tried different sun creams, but somehow I don't think that's what the problem is, as I didn't used to get it when I lived in Sweden, it's only ever happened when I've been living in the UK.
Oh, on my chest they eventually develop into little whiteheads (great look with summer tops, let me tell you...).
Has anyone had the same problem?
Thanks a lot
Emily
Answers:
It sounds like your skin is reacting to your sun lotion. It sounds irritated and the pores are getting clogged too.
It is quite hard finding a non comedogenic (pore blocking) sunscreen and one that doesn't irritate too.
I would recommend you look out for physical sunscreens which are zinc oxide/titanium dioxide based and don't irritate the skin like chemical sunscreens can.
Ren have just come out with a new natural sunscreen range which I'm very tempted by :)
I'm using the new Clarins spf 40 one and that is great, nice and light and you don't notice you're wearing it. It's a bit pricey though £24 for 30 ml.
Hope you find a solution soon :(
Answers:
See, I don't think it is the sunscreen. I've been using Clinique Superdefense since February and I've trusted that as my facial sunscreen (did last summer and my face barely tanned!). So I've not changed anything until after these spots have come up, when I've started putting a facial sunscreen on with physical filter. That's why I'm so puzzled, I can't work out what it is since it's not itchy.
Thanks though :)
Answers:
It could be Polymorphic Light Eruption. I've suffered from this ever since I over did it in the sun one year in Majorca. It's a reaction to the rays. Mine are usually on my knees, feet, hands and chest and get worse the longer I'm in the sun. There is loads of info on the internet if you think it could be this. Unfortunately there is not a lot you can do about it once you have it.
Answers:
Wow, kirsty, you're the first person I've come across, other than myself, who has this condition! Not very constructive I know, but at least I feel a little less alone now :)
I get mine on the backs of my hands and fingers, and on my chest. I bought a broad-spectrum sunblock from Dermalogica which seems to help a little but I've found that many sunscreens just aggravate my PMLE. I'm off to Kenya in a few months and I've been told to be very careful regarding mosquito repellants containing Deet.
PMLE is not debilitating but I've found it can really spoil my day. On holiday recently we were cycling everywhere and I got eruptions on the inside of my forefingers. By the end of the day I was in real discomfort where they had rubbed on the handlebars. I've changed my diet since being diagnosed with food allergies and, coincidentally or not, I spent all day outdoors on Sunday in the heat and sun without one eruption! Whether this was a one-off remains to be seen but I live in hope.
Apparently scientists in Australia are working on a treatment at the moment.