Eczema, what sun protection?

Do you have eczema and it's summer? The tube of sunscreen is your vacation companion! Eczema and sun, what compatibility? Using sunscreen to protect your eczema from the sun's rays is essential. Indeed, UVA and UVB attack the epidermis and accelerate skin aging.

In the framework of our advice on eczema, it's up to us to guide you in choosing your protection and protecting yourself well for a peaceful vacation! So creams, oils, mists, milks? There are a multitude of products, it is sometimes difficult to navigate and make the right choice. And yet, choosing the right sun protection is crucial from spring to protect your skin.

Eczema sun protection, different formulas

Sunscreen

Sunscreen is the most used protection, it is synonymous with safety and has several advantages.
Its creamy and moisturizing texture holds well on the skin and requires more time to penetrate the skin.
The sunscreen is perfectly suitable for the most sensitive skin, it is recommended for children at the beach thanks to its good hold and protection but also throughout the year including in autumn to take care of your skin when the Indian summer lasts!

Sun milk

More fluid than cream, sun milk penetrates quickly and does not form a thick, greasy film on the skin. This eczema sun protection is also ideal for children and during swimming pool outings. Sun milk is very practical, it comes in spray or mist. However, we tend to apply less and spread it poorly, so we must be careful to apply it generously and evenly for optimal protection. The application of sun milk using a sun mist will be more uniform than with a sun spray.

Solar oil

The sun oil is characterized by its fluid texture allowing you to combine tanning and protection.
It spreads easily evenly on the skin and provides a satin shine, enhancing tanned skin.
It should be noted that sun oils mainly offer SPF up to 30, so this protection is not recommended for first exposure to the sun.

Solar jelly

Sun jelly is rich in water, so it provides hydration and freshness thanks to its melting, non-greasy texture, penetrating quickly into the skin. Available in tube or jar format, solar jelly is often scented, bringing a fruity and exotic touch for pleasant protection. See our article to find out more about the use of perfumes on sensitive skin. There are therefore a multitude of products, each as effective as the next.

To choose the ideal sun protection, it all comes down to textures and ease of application. Oily skin will prefer light textures, mist or spray. Dry skin and/or skin with scaly conditions (psoriasis, eczema) will prefer creams or milks. A good sunscreen is above all a product that is pleasant to apply and which you will enjoy reapplying. But the most important criterion is the protection index, called SPF. It is essential to choose the right SPF for optimal protection and a safe tan!

Which sun protection factor should I choose?

What is the SPF index?

The acronym SPF stands for “Sun Protection Factor”. This index indicates the degree of protection against the sun's rays, UVA and UVB, provided to the skin. The higher the latter, the stronger the protection. To avoid sunburn, brown spots, premature aging of the skin or skin cancer, it is therefore essential to apply eczema sun protection with a high SPF index.

Which SPF index to choose?

There are different SPFs, but you should know that below 30, the indices have less and very different protection. Generally speaking, it is recommended to choose sun protection with a high SPF index, between 30 and 50, regardless of your skin type and complexion.

But for children and people with fair skin, being more sensitive to the sun, it is strongly recommended to opt for sun protection with an SPF 50 index.

For people who have very fair skin (blonds and redheads), a skin disease, hypersensitivity to the sun, and for the elderly, very high protection with SPF 50+ is recommended.

In the case of a very high protection index, the risk is to expose yourself to the sun for a long time without repeating the application, thinking that it is a strong index. Regardless of the SPF index, the application must be renewed every two hours for optimal protection.

Waterproof protection: essential

After having chosen your protection factor carefully, you must also look carefully at the product instructions. In fact, it is better to choose sun protection that is resistant to water and perspiration, called waterproof. Waterproof protection is tested to withstand two 20-minute baths. This indication is recommended for children playing mainly in the sand. However, the protection does not always last that long. We recommend reapplying sunscreen after each swim and every two hours.

Eczema sun protection: synthetic filters vs. minerals

Synthetic filters

Sun protection with synthetic filters (1) is common on the market. They use synthetic ultraviolet filters to protect the skin from the sun's rays all year round, including in winter to protect the skin.

Some protect against UVA and UVB and others only against one or the other. Thus, depending on their combination, they offer different levels of protection.

Sun protection with synthetic filters spreads easily on the skin thanks to its fluid texture. It must fully penetrate the skin to work properly, which is why you must wait 15 to 20 minutes before exposing yourself to the sun.

Small downside about synthetic filters, they can irritate the eyes and skin, causing allergic reactions. In addition, sun protection with synthetic filters has negative impacts on the environment, the filters would promote the destruction of micro algae on which corals feed.

Mineral filters

Mineral sunscreens (1) have been around for a long time. They contain titanium dioxide and zinc oxide, protecting against both UVA and UVB. These filters are high quality and opaque. After application they protect immediately.

They have long been criticized for leaving a white film, but the formulations have evolved. Mineral filters are suitable for children and people with very fair skin, for people with atopic skin and those practicing nautical activities.

These filters form a film that effectively protects against water, salt and sunlight. Sunscreens with mineral filters are suitable for all skin types. They present less risk of allergies, and are above all more respectful of the environment. Solar products labeled “eco” and “organic” contain these filters.

Eczema and sun, how to expose yourself?

Choosing your sun protection is not limited to the texture that suits you and the appropriate SPF index, you also need to know the needs of your skin! Chronic skin diseases, such as eczema and psoriasis, particularly require suitable sun care to limit breakouts, plaques or pimples. It is therefore imperative to pay attention to daily actions in order to slow down these outbreaks.

Eczéùa and sun: make way for healthy skin!

Exposing yourself in a swimsuit when you suffer from eczema or psoriasis is not easy. Patches, redness and other visible traces of eczema or psoriasis constitute discomfort or even shame for those affected.

However, the sun has a beneficial effect. Solar UV stimulates the production of vitamin D and other favorable active ingredients to fight against these pathologies. But be careful, prolonged exposure to the sun without appropriate protection is not! This skin disease requires great caution in the sun. Unprotected and too intense exposure can have the opposite effect and cause the appearance of new plaques, redness or itching. It is therefore very important to expose yourself gradually and apply appropriate sun protection with a high SPF index. In addition, it is necessary to properly prepare your skin before any sun exposure and take care of it afterwards.

In conclusion, the compatibility of eczema and the sun results in an effective therapy to treat psoriasis: phototherapy. However, despite these tips, if your eczema is irritated by sun exposure, remember to moisturize your skin well. So, discover the Pso Natura Rich Restructuring Cream, specially developed to nourish dry and flaky skin.

sources:
(1) Santé Magazine