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Date Published: 11/08/2022

6 cosmetic products to avoid at all costs when sunbathing

Certain ingredients are incompatible with the sun and can result in serious skin complaints

Let’s face it, it’s not exactly easy looking glamorous and attractive at the height of the summer when the scorching temperatures threaten to reduce us to puddles and the only relief comes from plunging head-first into a pool. It’s understandable then that we might turn to a few helpful cosmetics to beautify ourselves, but the experts have issued a stark warning: many of our every-day products are incompatible with the sun and could quickly turn us from beach babes into sea monsters.

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

Much in the same way that certain medications can react badly when exposed to the sun, the wrong cosmetics can lead to a whole host of skin complaints.

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) residual after the lesions subside".

To be on the safe side, products containing any of these ingredients should be avoided in the sun but above all, the experts insist that sun block is our best defence against skin complaints. UV protection should be applied regularly throughout the day, and remember that "exposure to the sun is not limited to sunbathing on the beach or pool; walking the dog, sitting on a terrace or any outdoor activity also requires caution."

You might also like: Chill out: tips to quickly and easily cool your drinks at home

Image: Flickr

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