Certain ingredients are incompatible with the sun and can result in serious skin complaints
As explained by Dr. Candy Hernández, aesthetic doctor at Candhé Clinic, the following ingredients, found in many common cosmetics, can be especially harmful:
1. Alpha Hydroxy Acids (AHAs)
AHAs are a type of organic acid most commonly found in exfoliators and are popular for reducing the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles and dark spots. It might be best to leave it out of the suitcase if you are going on a sun holiday though: ” By continually exfoliating, your skin becomes more sensitive to UV rays, and can burn from sun exposure even on days you don’t use them,” Dr Hernández explained.
2. Essential oils
Essential oils are present in all natural creams and can cause phototoxic reactions and cause injuries such as burns, a stinging sensation, eczema or hives.
3. Hydroquinone
This is a depigmenting cosmetic ingredient that “can make your skin more sensitive to sunlight, since it alters the excess melanin that causes skin pigmentation.”
4. Mineral oils
If you’ve already succeeded in getting a bit of a tan you may be tempted to reach for a body oil, guaranteed to give you a nice healthy glow. You might get more than you bargained for, however, as mineral oils attract and absorb UV rays so it’s best to give them a miss in the sun unless you want to get truly scalded.
5. Retinol
Products containing retinol should only be used if you are in the shade or wearing a high factor sun block: “They can be used as long as the skin is already used to them and you accompany it with +50 sun protection,” explained the expert .
6. Other products
A recent article written by Dr. Javier Romero Gómez, head of the Dermatology and Venereology service at Quirónsalud Málaga Hospital, highlights several more generic products that could result in the appearance of spots and other skin problems if used in the sun:
- dyes
- citrus (such as orange or lemon)
- spices
- exfoliating or abrasive products, which can make the dermis sensitive and unprotected.
- alcohol
Problems caused by these products
As explained by Dr Gómez, “the same injuries that can occur with sunlight are observed, but more exaggerated or intense and in less time, such as redness, inflammation, and even blisters on exposed skin, with hyperpigmentation (darkening of the skin) after the lesions subside”.
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