How To Stop Sunscreen From Stinging Your Eyes – Stunning With Brains

“What the heck is incorrect with you, Gio?”

It was a scorching summer time day. Clear blue skies. A light-weight breeze within the air. Heat sunshine kissing your pores and skin. It’s the sort of day you don’t usually get in London. So when it comes, you must profit from it.

I used to be strolling alongside Regent’s Canal with a good friend, catching up with one another’s lives and planning for the longer term. When, impulsively, I ended lifeless in my tracks.

Ouch! My eye! It stung like hell. It was so painful, I began crying and rubbing my eyes to ease the ache. Nevertheless it solely made issues worse.

My good friend caught my face in his fingers, holding it nonetheless so he might take a greater have a look at my eyes. Possibly one thing had by accident slipped in?

Nothing. There was nothing in my eye. What the heck was happening?!

That’s when it hit me. The day was so scorching regardless of the mild breeze, my sunscreen had trickled down my brow and into my eye.

IT. HURT.

My good friend had a bottle of water with him – fortunately! – so we managed to wash up my eye. Finally. Nevertheless it acquired me pondering, how are you going to stop sunscreen from stinging your eyes within the first place?

As a result of let’s be sincere—this isn’t some freak accident. In case you’ve ever gone exterior in summer time and ended up with tears streaming down your face for no cause, it’s most likely sunscreen-related. And it’s all the time on the worst second. On a date. On a hike. Throughout that one scorching yoga class the place you tried to be outdoorsy. *sighs*

How efficient is your sunscreen? Signal as much as the publication beneath to obtain the “Sunscreen Audit” Worksheet and discover out in case your sunscreen is actually as much as the job:

Mineral Sunscreens Are Much less Possible To Irritate Eyes

You understand how I all the time say that I want mineral sunscreens? It’s true. If I’ve a selection, that’s what I take advantage of.

However as a skincare blogger, I typically get despatched stuff I wouldn’t choose off the cabinets of SpaceNK. In a approach, it’s good – I get to attempt new merchandise that didn’t catch my eye however turned out to be holy grails.

Different occasions… That day at Regent’s Canal was a type of different occasions. I used to be testing a chemical sunscreen with artificial UV filters. Once they acquired into my eyes… Ouch!

Mineral UV filters – that’s titanium dioxide and zinc oxide – are gentler so after they get into your eyes, they don’t sting as a lot. If I’m going for an extended stroll or know I’ll sweat, it’s a mineral sunscreen I placed on.

And sure, typically mineral sunscreens nonetheless sting. They’re not fabricated from magic. However they have a tendency to be much less aggressive, particularly in the event you’re somebody who already has delicate eyes or wears contact lenses. The much less drama, the higher.

The ingredient checklist issues greater than the advertising and marketing. Simply because one thing says “mild” on the label doesn’t imply it’s truly eye-friendly. Alcohol, perfume, important oils… they sneak into all the things. And while you’re sweating, all bets are off.

Associated: The Finest Zinc Oxide Sunscreens To Keep away from Eye Stinging

Suggestions To Stop Sunscreen From Stinging Your Eyes

In case your sunscreen all the time appears to search out its approach into your eyes, right here’s what truly helps:

• Don’t apply it too near your eyes: Cease at your forehead bone. Use sun shades or a mineral stick across the eyes as a substitute.
• Give it time to dry: Let it absolutely take up (10–quarter-hour) earlier than heading exterior. Most stinging occurs as a result of it’s nonetheless moist and sliding – after which it gained’t shield you anyway.
• Use sweat-resistant formulation: These have a tendency to remain put for longer. Nice in the event you’re sweaty, oily, or carrying make-up.
• Stick with matte lotions or silicone-based sunscreens: They grip the pores and skin higher and don’t wander into your tear ducts by lunchtime.
• Keep away from alcohol-based formulation: They may really feel gentle, however they’re usually what causes the sting.
• Patch check earlier than going all in: Attempt it close to your temples first. If it stings there, it’s a no.

Cease losing your money and time on stuff that doesn’t work. Click on on the picture beneath to obtain “Skincare That Works” and at last get your greatest pores and skin day – daily.

Why Do Some Individuals Get Eye Irritation And Others Don’t?

It will depend on:

• Your pores and skin barrier
• How oily or sweaty your pores and skin is
• The method you’re utilizing
• The way you apply it

Some folks can slap on a chemical sunscreen with avobenzone and have zero points. Others, like me, stroll alongside a canal and find yourself crying in ache. There’s no one-size-fits-all reply, which is why trial and error (and a backup bottle of water) is typically the one approach.

The Backside Line

In case your sunscreen retains choosing fights together with your eyes, it’s not you. It’s the method. The easiest way to stop sunscreen from stinging your eyes is to change to one thing gentler, apply it smarter, and preserve that water bottle shut simply in case. Your eyeballs deserve peace.

About Gio

Hello, I am Gio. I am a no-nonsense, tell-it-like-it-is pores and skin coach and author on a mission that can assist you obtain your greatest pores and skin day ever – daily. I bust skincare myths and debunk advertising and marketing jargon that can assist you determine what’s well worth the splurge and what’s greatest left on the shelf – utilizing science, not hype. I additionally provide skincare consultations that can assist you create one of the best skincare routine to your distinctive wants.