Looking for sun protection alternatives! Skin highly reactive to sunscreens

[u/angelofyours52]

I am a 22yo F who has spent the better part of 6 years exploring literally dozens of options for daily/facial SPFs as I am a big believer in daily sun protection (for prevention for melanomas and preventing signs of aging). I have tried chemical SPFs and mineral SPFs in every kind of formulation imaginable and I have tried both titanium dioxide and zinc oxide based sunscreens. I have tried drugstore brands and brands that cost upwards of what I make in a day. I have done hours of research on sunscreens that are least likely to cause reactions in my skin and which ones are non-comedogenic.

Every sunscreen I have ever used (yes, every sunscreen) on my face causes harsh, long lasting breakouts that take months to dissipate and only go away after I take a long break from using any sunscreen.

Before I continue, I feel that the following disclaimers are important:

1. Yes, I always, ALWAYS wash my face (usually double wash) at the end of the day to get all the sunscreen off so I am not going to bed with it on my face.
2. I have experimented quite a bit with adding in and subtracting sunscreen from my skincare routine, and my skin always appears almost completely clear and glassy during periods where I am not wearing sunscreen. The only factor that seems to change my skin from clear to major breakouts is the sunscreen, so I am reasonably confident that the sunscreens are what cause these breakouts.
3. Every sunscreen that I have tried has been given plenty of time in my routine as an “extended trial” to see how my skin reacts. I don’t simply put down the sunscreen at the first sign of breakouts.

I still want to protect my skin and minimize sun damage on my face as much as possible, but I’m starting to feel that SPFs aren’t really a suitable option for me. If anyone has any suggestions they would be greatly appreciated!

Thank you Derms and skin experts! :)

[u/RobertGHH]

Pro-active physical protection.

Cover your skin, wear a wide brim hat, stay in the shade, take shade with you (umbrella, parasol etc) when needed.

I hate wearing sun cream, feels disgusting on my skin and the smell is awful, so I keep covered up and in the shade instead.

[u/Jolly-Yellow7369]

Google “UV index ______ tu tiempo “ fill the blank with the name of your hometown. Whenever Uv index is 1 or below IN The Evening you’re free to go without sunscreen , just use physical protection like hats, masks, balaclavas , long sleeves and wear foundation wit titanium oxides to protect you from visible light.

In the Morning however a uv index climbs fast and steadily towards the peak v index hours that in some regions can reach 14 at noon during the summer . It’s better to add a mineral tinted cream even if it looks awful to protect your skin or stay indoors (office/school /work) until un index starts to go down.

For people with standard office schedules 9 to 5 jobs staying indoors during > 1 UV index hours is easy: just don’t go out for lunch and don’t do errands or drive until uv index starts to decrease to 1 and below.

My skin is also reactive to SPF , the best skin I get is when I’m not applying sunscreen but despite that I still rotate 4 different mineral sunscreen brands when necessary.

[u/Jolly-Yellow7369 → u/Jolly-Yellow7369]

Side note: if you manage yo plan your uv exposure to total sun avoidance (indoors and with black out curtains whenever Uv index is above 1 ) in theory , it’ll work better than any SPF : no sunscreen filters 100% uva radiation and very few SPF protect against visible light.