Is PURITO sunscreen suitable for sensitive skin?

Which PURITO sunscreen are you choosing?

For Daily Soft Touch Sunscreen SPF50+ PA++++, check the current pack's full ingredient list and water resistance directions before buying; another PURITO sunscreen needs its own check. Do not assume the formula is mineral or fragrance free from the product name.23

What should sensitive skin look for?

Look for broad spectrum protection, SPF 30 or higher and water resistance. Broad spectrum means protection against UVA and UVB, the two types of harmful ultraviolet rays. SPF mainly describes protection against UVB, which causes sunburn. An SPF rating is not a measure of gentleness.24

On US sunscreen labels, "sensitive skin" has no FDA definition. Read the ingredients rather than treating that phrase as a shortcut. Fragrances, preservatives and some sunscreen filters can cause allergic reactions. If you already know an ingredient causes a reaction, avoid sunscreens containing it, including mineral formulas with that ingredient elsewhere in the formula.23

Texture can help you choose something you will actually use: creams suit dry skin and facial application, while gels suit oily skin and hairy areas. Mineral and chemical sunscreens both protect skin mainly by absorbing ultraviolet radiation.45

How should you apply it?

Use these general sunscreen steps alongside the directions on your PURITO pack.

1. 1Apply sunscreen every day you will be outdoors, including cloudy days. Apply it to dry skin 15 minutes before going outside.
2. 2Use at least 1 teaspoon for your face. Most adults need about 1 ounce to cover all skin not covered by clothing, with more needed depending on body size.
3. 3Cover exposed areas beyond your face, including your ears, neck, tops of your feet and exposed scalp. Protect your lips with an SPF 30 or higher lip product.
4. 4Reapply approximately every two hours outdoors and after swimming or sweating, following the bottle's directions. Reapply after toweling off.

SPF50+ does not let you wait longer between applications. No sunscreen filters out all UVB rays, so use shade and protective clothing as well. For swimming or heavy sweating, choose a sunscreen with an explicit water resistance rating rather than assuming a high SPF covers that job.25

What if sunscreen causes a reaction?

Stop using a sunscreen that causes a rash and ask a doctor about the reaction. An allergic rash can appear where sunscreen was applied and sometimes spread elsewhere. Some reactions occur specifically where sunscreen and sunlight meet. Irritation and allergy are different problems, and the symptoms alone do not identify the responsible ingredient.3

If sunscreens repeatedly cause reactions, a dermatologist can arrange patch testing to identify an allergen, with photopatch testing when sunlight is involved. Discuss any home testing with your doctor first. A small area test without a reaction does not rule out irritation during regular use. Once an allergy is identified, avoid the ingredient across products rather than switching brands blindly.3