BellaOnline Forums Beauty and Self Body Care Sunscreen & eczema

Well, my eczema is worse this year for some reason. Worst of all it I have it on my EYELIDS. Did not even think that was possible! The problem is I burn in about 5 minutes in the sun. Every sunscreen I have tried stings when I start to sweat and aggravates the eczema. I have tried:

• stick creams-- Bullfrog and Coppertone babies
• Nutrogena (one for sensitive skin)
• Eucerin
• Oil of Olay (again for sensitive)
• a CVS brand oil free for faces
• Avon bug spray/sunscreen

I don't want to keep wasting money! Anyone have any suggestions? TIA

Laura, I can only use fragrance-free products, which are different from both "sensitive" and "unscented" a lot of the time.

So, I use and recommend Clinique. They have a good line of sunscreens/sunblocks, too. And, they also usually will let you bring anything back if you keep the box (if there is one) and receipt. That way, if it doesn't work for you, you won't be out any money.) *plus, I buy a lot of what I need during "bonus week" and get lots of freebies to try. I've been using this brand since college (over 25 years) and used to drive an hour each way to stock up! No, I don't work for them, but then, you couldn't find any other brands without fragrances.

I do use Neutrogena sunscreens--fragrance-free only, though.

Eucerin makes a calming creme lotion that I like--nothing to do with sunscreen, but it's good for irritated skin.


And, I use cortizone creams when I cause a flare up by using something I shouldn't---they usually heal it up in a couple of days.

The eucerin I have now is fragrance free. Clinique is a little too pricey for me, but I'll watch for sales (or samples even).

Just a bit of an update-- the eucerin I am currently using is fragrance-free. In researching a bit I found there are two types of sunscreen. One is barrier and uses something that stays on the surface (like zinc oxide). The other kind absorbs. I'm think that might be where my problem is. I always feel like the sunscreens I've used are still on my face and kind of run when I sweat. I looked at the bottle of eucerin and it has a barrier type protection (zinc oxide and titanium dioxide). So, I think that may be my problem, a sensitivity to these two.

Just thought I'd post this info in case anyone else has this problem

Thanks for the info, Laura. I don't think Clinique has sales, but if you go to a counter, they might have some free samples. (Just depends on the counter as to what they have, so I'd probably call all the ones in my area instead of driving around!).

I know it costs more, but before I discovered it, I wasted a ton of money on cheaper stuff that just didn't work--i.e., burned my skin or caused rashes. It took a few years to pinpoint that fragrance is the big one for me.

And, with Clinique, I get tons of free stuff with the bonus week purchases. For years, I didn't use much moisturizer (oily skin) and never bought any--just used what was in the bonus bag! Now, it's mascara and lipstick I never have to buy! So, if you buy during those times, you do get way more bang for your buck.

One thing you can also do is go there for a consultation--it's free. Or even call them. It's possible they have some info that might help you, even if they don't have a product that works!

Well, I know Boscov's and Macy's both have clinique here. I'll have to ask about samples. Maybe they'll take pity on me make up counters intimidate me though. I'm not much of a girly girl

I suffer with eczema and have never used a separate sunscreen. On many of the forums and groups I am in for eczema many say the same thing. I have a nutrogena one that I tried a few times and I got in the spring time one from Watkins - Aloe Vera Moisturizing Sunblock SPF 30 sunscreen. I will probably bring this one to summer day camp to be used on my kids.

I have a rash around my eyebrows and earlier in the year it was really bad and I thought it was due to the eyeshadow I used so I stopped using any eyeshadow and then stopped the eyebrow pencil and now have that again and do not use either.

I use Aveeno eczema care moisturizer for my face and the desonide from Derm and had 15 left off prednisone so I am taking them for five days to get the face under control.

Eczema is a form of dermatitis, or inflammation of the upper layers of the skin. The term eczema is broadly applied to a range of persistent skin conditions. These include dryness and recurring skin rashes which are characterized by one or more of these symptoms: redness, skin edema (swelling), itching and dryness, crusting, flaking, blistering, cracking, oozing, or bleeding. Areas of temporary skin discoloration may appear and are sometimes due to healed lesions, although scarring is rare.

Eczema always irritate us because this type of disease often occurred on our skin ,Eczema diagnosis is generally based on the appearance of inflamed, itchy skin in eczema sensitive areas such as face, chest and other skin crease areas. For evaluation of the eczema, a scoring system can be used.

Hi, Some precaution to avoid eczema:
* Cool temperature in bedroom
* Dust free as much as possible
* No carpets
* Wash bedding weekly
* Soft cotton clothes
* No wool or polyester clothes
* Double rinse clothes
* No fabric softeners
* PVC gloves for wet work
* Cotton gloves for housework
* No soap
* No perfume