What my derm had to say about sunscreen&acne-prone skin
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enjoys freebies · Fri Aug 03, 2007 8:38 am Quote

I thought some of you might find this interesting. After struggling for YEARS to find a reliable sunscreen that wouldn't play havoc with my extremely acne-peone skin, I decided to pay a visit to the dermatologist to get the low-down. I must have had quite a shine on the day I went to see her. She asked if I was wearing sunscreen, which I was, and she looked at me and said "I wouldn't if I were you". Shock

She then went on to say that in her opinion there are NO sunscreens on the market which will not exacerbate acne. She said that I should get an SPF hat, wear it religiously, and forget about topical sunscreen if I want to get rid of my acne. I have to say she really stressed the importance of a sun barrier, she wasn't in any way saying I didn't need sun protection, only that I wasn't going to get clear skin while wearing sunscreen.

As a side note, she also said that retin-A is still the single best acne/anti-aging product out there and that I should use a beta-hydroxy cleanser (such as one containing SA, which I already do). Do they make SPF 50 hats? Rolling Eyes

Just thought I would share...I'm still really shocked!

enjoys freebies · Fri Aug 03, 2007 8:51 am Quote

That is shocking, come from a derm.

I just wanted to add that I have major problems with sunscreen breaking me out, and have had great success with Epicuren Zinc Oxide SPF 20. It does leave a white cast, and it doesn't break me out at all. It feels nice on. The downside is that it is $$ and I usually have to order it and pay for shipping. Depending on where you live, it might be easier for you to get at spas and derm offices, there just aren't any here in Massachusetts where I can get it.

enjoys freebies · Fri Aug 03, 2007 9:09 am Quote

Interesting.

enjoys freebies · Fri Aug 03, 2007 11:14 am Quote

Bunny7475 wrote:

....

She then went on to say that in her opinion there are NO sunscreens on the market which will not exacerbate acne. She said that I should get an SPF hat, wear it religiously, and forget about topical sunscreen if I want to get rid of my acne. I have to say she really stressed the importance of a sun barrier, she wasn't in any way saying I didn't need sun protection, only that I wasn't going to get clear skin while wearing sunscreen.
...

To hear such sweeping, broad statements from a dermatologist is shocking enough that if she were my derm, I'd actually reconsider our doctor/patient relationship. Everyone's skin is different, that's part of the frustration and fun of skincare. What works for one will not work for another; conversely, what DOESN'T work for one WILL work for another. A more accurate statement would have been to the effect that finding sunscreen for the acne prone is much more difficult, rather than impossible.

enjoys freebies · Fri Aug 03, 2007 11:39 am Quote

I think that what your derm said is very confusing, as its in magazines, newspapers, all over media that the way to prevent ageing and sun cancer is to have adequate sunscreen and to avoid the sun at certain hours of the day.

Although most sunscreens I've used havent broken me out, Im willing to experiment as I do think that having something on rather than not aplying any will do more harm.

As much as I like to take advice from the professions and I really want my clear skin back, I dont think I can give up using sunscreens.

What did your derm say about taking those oral sunscreen tablets Confused

?

enjoys freebies · Fri Aug 03, 2007 11:39 am Quote

Bunny7475
I have acne-prone,over 40 skin that has hyper-pigmentation problems(nice, eh?)I am having great success with Guerlain's Perfect White-C SPF 50 Day Cream.This cream feels quite silky going on and disappears into my skin after a few minutes.It is very nice under make-up and does not make me shiny.Best of all it does NOT break me out and treats the dark patches that I already have.It is quite fragranced, but has not bothered my skin at all.I am VERY impressed with this product and will re-purchase.

enjoys freebies · Fri Aug 03, 2007 12:31 pm Quote

My dermatologist recommended Elta Gold SPF45 sunscreen to me and I love it! It's cheaper than most cosmetics brand sunscreen and doesn't aggrevate my acne at all. It's the best!

enjoys freebies · Fri Aug 03, 2007 1:19 pm Quote

amaska wrote:

My dermatologist recommended Elta Gold SPF45 sunscreen to me and I love it! It's cheaper than most cosmetics brand sunscreen and doesn't aggrevate my acne at all. It's the best!

I've never heard of this brand. Can you buy it at a pharmacy?

enjoys freebies · Fri Aug 03, 2007 1:27 pm Quote

How about if you wear only foundation and powder with FPS ? Is it not enough protection ? Think

enjoys freebies · Fri Aug 03, 2007 2:45 pm Quote

Check out shadyladyproducts.com for a huge selection of SPF 50 hats. I bought 2!

enjoys freebies · Fri Aug 03, 2007 2:50 pm Quote

I can understand what the derm is saying. I went for about 5 days without sunscreen. Just being SICK of the constant clogged pores. And they all but went away! And I've tried TONS of sunscreens. All give me "the bumps".

enjoys freebies · Fri Aug 03, 2007 3:16 pm Quote

sueqlew wrote:

Bunny7475
I have acne-prone,over 40 skin that has hyper-pigmentation problems(nice, eh?)I am having great success with Guerlain's Perfect White-C SPF 50 Day Cream.This cream feels quite silky going on and disappears into my skin after a few minutes.It is very nice under make-up and does not make me shiny.Best of all it does NOT break me out and treats the dark patches that I already have.It is quite fragranced, but has not bothered my skin at all.I am VERY impressed with this product and will re-purchase.

Hi there. What are the ingredients for this product, sueqlew? I'm wondering what does the brightening aspect, do you know?
TIA!

enjoys freebies · Fri Aug 03, 2007 6:27 pm Quote

do you think using mineral powder sunscreens like colorescience or the peter thomas roth one might be better? or would it also clog pores?
i've been faithfully lathering on sunscreen all this while but i'm also battling acne so if there's a link between the two, i really would be anxious to find alternatives to 'normal' liquid sunscreens.

enjoys freebies · Fri Aug 03, 2007 6:40 pm Quote

Hi Bunny~
I get a catalog from a company called Solumbra.
They have hats,(many styles)shirts,pants,etc that all have SPF. They aren't cheap,but worth (IMO)looking into.
Try google,they should come up~

enjoys freebies · Fri Aug 03, 2007 8:48 pm Quote

cahoot wrote:

do you think using mineral powder sunscreens like colorescience or the peter thomas roth one might be better? or would it also clog pores?
i've been faithfully lathering on sunscreen all this while but i'm also battling acne so if there's a link between the two, i really would be anxious to find alternatives to 'normal' liquid sunscreens.

I've been using the Peter Thomas Roth powder sunscreen everyday for almost 2 weeks and haven't had a single breakout from it. The first week I wore it on top of liquid foundation and the second week I wore it by itself, just to test both ways.

enjoys freebies · Fri Aug 03, 2007 10:35 pm Quote

thanks Diana P!
feel a huge lemming coming up!!!!

enjoys freebies · Sat Aug 04, 2007 7:44 pm Quote

the dermatologist is most likely speaking from experience and she hasn't found a sunscreen that is suitable for her patient's with acne. she still stressed about sun barrier so i don't think she is wrong per se, she is just using an alternate method to prevent her patient's from sun damage while helping her patients maintain clear skin.

enjoys freebies · Sun Aug 05, 2007 5:37 am Quote

I have not used any sunscreen on my face for a good year now. Everything just breaks me out like crazy!!
I do use Silken Pearl line with Zinc (Silken Pearl primer in particular has SPF) + MMU (whit some SPF) and that seems to work for me. I do, however, wear a hat whenever I am doing anything out-door. It's been crazy hot and sunny here in Ontario and my face is still pretty pale and white - no tan at all. So, this combo must be working!
I think you can achieve solid protection from sun damage with the MMU, topicals with Zinc and with the use of Vitamin C serums + physical barrier achieved by wearing a hat! It works for me.

enjoys freebies · Sun Aug 05, 2007 5:40 am Quote

katya wrote:

How about if you wear only foundation and powder with FPS ? Is it not enough protection ? Think

I'm wondering about this, too. Does anyone know?
Years ago I made an attempt to wear sunscreen, but ended up with my face breaking out. Rather than search for a sunscreen, I have just relied on the whatever is in my makeup and have hoped for the best!

enjoys freebies · Sun Aug 05, 2007 12:08 pm Quote

cahoot wrote:

do you think using mineral powder sunscreens like colorescience or the peter thomas roth one might be better? or would it also clog pores?

I used Sunforgettable from Colorescience (in order to reapply some SPF after lunchtime and over my make-up) for five days after each other and it broke me out terribly Sad

I think it's because of the zinc oxide and titanium dioxide, they are famous for causing breakouts! Crying or Very sad

As a moisturizer I have been using Paula's Choice Non-Greasy Essential Sunscreen SPF15, I think it has avebenzone. At least it's a chemical sunscreen, not physical. It feels very comfortable and it doesn't break me out, the disadvantage is that you have to reapply after a couple of hours, even when you stay in the office Confused

By the way: I have oily/ combination skin prone to breakouts, even when using tretinoin in the evening and Benzoyl Peroxide in the morning.

enjoys freebies · Sun Aug 05, 2007 12:16 pm Quote

i dont think ive ever had breakouts caused directly from my sunscreen...? using shiseido, biore (japanese version), and sofina... just be sure to use an oil cleanser or makeup remover to take off at night...

enjoys freebies · Mon Aug 06, 2007 11:43 am Quote

Good for her I say! My doc says the same thing which works out well as I've never used sunscreen either. But it's frustrating as it seems many products have it built in.

Mon Aug 06, 2007 8:18 pm Quote

Have you tried using mineral makeup as a sunscreen? Its got great coverage with the added bonus of having SPF 30 as well> CAmeron Diaz actually credited her skin clearing up due to her switch from suncreen to MMU so give it a try. I personally use Jane Iredale. I think MMU is great for my skin which use to have tiny bumps but which have now disappeared after i stopped using heavy cream foundations.

enjoys freebies · Tue Aug 07, 2007 12:41 pm Quote

My derm told me the same thing....and i tend to agree. I have been using avene spf 50 and my clogged pores are much better.

enjoys freebies · Tue Aug 07, 2007 1:27 pm Quote

I have to agree sunscreen gives me constant breank-ups, but on the other hand, I dare not give up them coz I got lots of sun spots on my faces already! and those acne scars are getting darker and darker if i dont wear sunscreen!

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