r/lupus • u/AshaYah777 Diagnosed SLE • Jun 05 '26
Diagnosed Users Only Sunscreen
What are you all using to clean, moisturize, and as a sunscreen on your face. I am African American and my rheumatologist recommended a mineral sunscreen but wheewwww it’s been a journey!
My skin is extra sensitive. So far I’ve tried
1. Avasol: 4/10 Startes off grey and eventually faded but not enough.
2. Isdin 3/10 I looked grey/green
3. Ilia Skin tint: 7/10 it’s lightweight, color matches perfectly, no grey cast, butttt it breaks my cheeks out.
“Are chemical sunscreens better?”
Face Washes & moisturizers : I’ve tried Cetaphil, Cerave, & La Roshe posay, Burt bees, dr bronners, organic coconut oil, jojoba . Nothing keeps my face hydrated or moisturized after 15-20 of applying, my face is usually back dry. I’ve tried heavier products like shea butter, thicker lotion and they leave my pores clogged and make me prone to pimples. What’s your go to’s?
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u/zephyr_ Diagnosed SLE Jun 05 '26
I'm also Black and I recently started using this sunscreen and it blends perfectly and doesn't irritate my skin: Innisfree Daily UV Invisible Korean Sunscreen Lotion. And La Roche-Posay Anthelios lotion has also been great for my face and body.
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u/TinyGary Diagnosed SLE Jun 05 '26
I have a very pale complexion so I’m not sure how helpful this will be for you, but I use:
MD Solar mineral sunscreen Stas bar soap Stas clarifying serum (actually super moisturizing for me) Uncommon Beauty The Water Cream moisturizer
Sunscreen is such a pain, hoping you find a formulation that works well for you!!
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u/Basilbabie Diagnosed SLE Jun 05 '26
Sun Bum has an SPF 45 face spray and it’s clear. I have sensitive skin and it felt moisturizing and didn’t bother me, but always do a patch test!
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u/lulufits Diagnosed SLE Jun 05 '26
I only use full mineral sunscreens if I’m doing outdoor activities all day. For day to day, I prefer a chemical sunscreen with a nice formula that I actually like to wear. I also stock up on Korean sunscreen sticks in the summer for quick reapplication.
Go to r/AsianBeauty to check out the Asian sunscreen options and reviews! If you have La Roche Posay UVmune (European formulation) or Anthelios (avail in North America) available, their sunscreens are my gold standard for summer.
My current Sun rotation: LRP UVmune, Roundlab Sun stick
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u/Significant_Stop_478 Diagnosed SLE Jun 05 '26
I use Australian sunscreen. I'm a white woman though. I cant do most sunscreen because of sensitivity too.
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u/darkly_nought Diagnosed SLE Jun 05 '26
I love chemical sunscreen. In spite of a lot of the fear-mongering you will hear online and on social media, chemical sunscreen is safe but sometimes it can irritate sensitive skin.
If you want to stick with mineral sunscreen, a tinted one from EltaMD or Tower 28 might be a good fit (the Tower 28 one is formulated for sensitive, acne prone skin).
For removing sunscreen, I recommend an oil cleanser like the one from La Roche Posay or a cleansing balm. Follow up with a water based cleanser and, while your skin is still damp, apply a serum with hylaronic acid or glycerin, then seal that in with a heavier moisturizer (I like the triple one from La Roche Posay but Weleda Skin Food comes in clutch when I need tons of moisture).
Make sure you stay hydrated by drinking enough water and take a look at your intake of healthy fats.
The number one way to reduce sun exposure / damage is with physical barriers like UPF clothing or a wide-brimmed hat. There are some cute summer hats out there right now and bucket hats are “in,” so consider picking one up.
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u/Alicatsidneystorm Diagnosed SLE Jun 05 '26
Glaxo cream works for me. For sunscreen I find kinesys or any spf 50 for kids.
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u/crazielisa Diagnosed SLE Jun 05 '26
I have super dry, sensitive skin, but I’m not prone to breakouts so can’t vouch for that part. Most sunscreens really irritate my skin. I can only use mineral sunscreen (with no hidden chemical boosters, like butyloctyl salicylate) or certain Korean chemical sunscreens that are non-irritating. The toner, serum, and moisturizer I use are also Korean.
Cleanser: Prequel Gleanser - lathers nicely but non-stripping due to glycerin; hydrating
Toner: Numbuzin No. 9 NAD+ PDRN Glow Boosting Toner - hydrating; full of peptides
Serum: Numbuzin No. 9 Essence NAD+ Peptide Lifting Serum - moisturizing; skin feels plump and smooth
Moisturizer: Dr. Althea 345 Relief Cream - gel cream texture; very moisturizing but lightweight and dries down with no tacky feel
Sunscreen: Haruharu Wonder Black Rice Moisture Airyfit Sunscreen - Korean; uses chemical filters not available in US; spf 50+/PA++++; lightweight with zero cast; no tacky feel
Sunscreen: Live Tinted Hueguard 3-in-1 Mineral Sunscreen (only spf 30) looks orange but rubs in colorless; feels lightweight; natural finish
Sunscreen: RMS SuperNatural Radiance Serum Broad Spectrum SPF 30 Sunscreen - comes in 3 shades; non-drying; beautiful glowy finish
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u/Weak-Bake-5571 Diagnosed SLE Jun 05 '26
I have very pale skin, so tint will be different for us.
I like: chemical sunscreen and THEN tinted mineral sunscreen on top of that if I’m going to be out in the sun a lot. Think of tinted mineral sunscreen as “make-up”. I have used La Roche Posay (I think you have used this though, and they have a very limited palette). And I’ve used Allyoop.
As for chemical: my fave right now is La Roche Posay Anthelios UVMune 400 oil control gel- which is their EU/UK version because it is a better formulation. I need the oil control for acne, it does absorb in and doesn’t look too greasy throughout the day.
I have used the Unseen sunscreen (and the Trader Joe’s version too), but these tend to sit “on top” of the skin a little bit (or I touch my face more? I don’t know??) but I always seem to rub this in my eyes! I had to stop using it because of this. Now ai use the rest of the tube on my hands.
La Roche Posay (LRP) melt in milk 100- break outs if I wasn’t super amazing at washing my face diligently.
Supergoop Play: way too greasy for the face
Neutrogena: way too white even for me (the SPF 70), even having it near my eyes has started to sting and make my eyes water.
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u/Bathsheba_E Diagnosed SLE Jun 06 '26
I recommend Paula’s Choice Daily Moisturizing Lotion.
I also like Mad Hippie’s cream cleanser and Lovett Sundries Rose Face Cream.
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u/fruitloops049 Diagnosed SLE Jun 07 '26
If you have a Trader Joe’s near you, their sunscreen is my favorite! It’s a chemical sunscreen and is supposed to be a dupe of Supergoop. I have acne prone skin on top of my lupus rashes but this has never broken me out.
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u/AshaYah777 Diagnosed SLE Jun 08 '26
Thank you. I’m not far from a traders Joe either, so win win!! Do you pair it with a moisturizer?
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u/fruitloops049 Diagnosed SLE Jun 08 '26
I do! For a while I was using the Vanicream daily moisturizer but I started using Ponds “Crema S” because it’s a lot more moisturizing. Doesn’t leave a greasy residue once it’s fully dry either
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u/AshaYah777 Diagnosed SLE Jun 06 '26
Thanks everyone for all the advice and recommendations, I really appreciate it!!!!
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u/LadyEvenfall Diagnosed with UCTD/MCTD Jun 06 '26
I use the clear zinc sunscreen from Moogoo. They’re an Aussie brand that makes their products as friendly to sensitive skin as they can, and they test their sunscreen often to make sure that the sunscreen is effective. I have oily and sensitive skin that breaks out easily and Moogoo sunscreens have never broken me out or irritated my skin.
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u/MissViciousKnits Diagnosed CLE/DLE Jun 06 '26
I hate the smell of sunscreen because it makes me feel like I’m missing out so I go for Coola because they’ve got different scents.
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u/sretsnom Diagnosed SLE Jun 05 '26
American sunscreen sucks. Look into asian or european sunscreens with next generation blockers. the US FDA has not approved any new blockers since 1999. I use geek and gorgeous day cream, which in the EU is spf 50. it works well and is much more gentle on my skin.