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Avobenzone breakout?
Since I’ve been using the 10% AHA every morning, my skin is much more sensitive to the sun, necessitating a good SPF during the day. I was using a zinc oxide based SPF for the first few weeks with great results. My skin was 100% clear. Then, against my better judgement, I decided to try an avobenzone based sunscreen. Avobenzone based sunscreens have always caused breakouts for me in the past, but I like how they go on less white than zinc oxide based sunscreens. Thanks to the AHA I managed to use the avobenzone for a few days with no problems, but finally did end up with a few small comedones. Me no like. I immediately went off avobenzone and back on a zinc oxide SPF and the breakout is fading. This is probably the fourth time an avobenzone based sunscreen has caused me problems. I guess I’m ready to declare that avobenzone is comedogenic at least on my skin.
April 25th, 2008 at 11:04 am
Avabenzone is a synthetic based UVA sunscreen. It can pose a risk of irritation, but its a great sunscreen! Zinc oxide and Titanium Dioxide are both excellent mineral UVA/UVB sunscreen. They do not cause irritation. Another benefit of the mineral based sunscreen is that if you get it in your eye, it doesn’t sting. However, like what you said, it can cause the skin to look white, which is not a nice side effect. Also, it can clog pores, expecially for people with oily skin. Personally, I have had much success with the Avabenzone since my skin is more oily. But I love the mineral based sunscreens on the rest of my body (from the neck down).
April 27th, 2008 at 10:39 am
That’s internesting. I used an Avobenzone sunblock all last summer (Coppertone oil-free) and had absolutley no problems (http://www.drugstore.com/products/prod.asp?pid=27880&catid=12101). What brands have you used?
May 5th, 2008 at 2:33 pm
I was just wondering what brand of zinc oxide sunscreen you use? It seems difficult to find sunscreens that only contain zinc oxide and not some of the more synthetic sunscreens (like avobenzone). Thanks
May 8th, 2008 at 2:30 pm
The best one I’ve found so far is olay complete for sensitive skin. But I definitely have to add jojoba to make it work well enough for flakiness.
As far as the Coppertone one, I hope people will try it and let me know what they think. I for one don’t really want to be a guinea pig again for avobenzone though. I’ve convinced myself probably 5 times in my life now that I can get away with avobenzone in a sunscreen and every time I’ve paid the price. Perhaps I am just one of the sensitive people to it. For instance, Neutrogena Ultra Sheer is very highly rated here on acne.org which leads me to believe avobenzone may be OK for a lot of people. So who knows. Regardless, because I make products for myself too — I have to use them too — and also because I much prefer physical sunblocks like zinc of titanium, I’m committed to those over avobenzone during my formulation of a sunscreen for all of us. It’s on its way. I gotta believe! I’m trying sample after sample after sample and we’ll get it in time.
May 9th, 2008 at 1:13 pm
People with oilier skin who choose to wear Titanium Dioxide and Zince Oxide would have a higher chance of breaking out due to the shape of these minerals. If I had a wish, I would hope for 2 different types of sunscreens for Dan’s line one for normal to dry skin and another for normal to oily skin. People with more normal to dry skin would benefit from a sunscreen with TD and ZO and someone with more normal to oily skin would benefit from Avabenzone. On a more personal note, I use Neutrogena’s Ultra Sheer Dry-Touch Sunblock SPF 30. It is elegantly formulated with antioxidants and water binding agents and emmolients and Avabenzone as its UVA sunscreen. The only drawback of this product is the fragrance, but other than that it is excellent. If you want to try a 100% mineral sunscreen, I would recommend Neutrogena’s Sensitive Skin Sunblock Lotion SPF 30. I use it daily on my hands and arms and my legs if I am wearing shorts or plan on staying in the sun for an extended period of time. Sorry to sound so OCD about sunscreen. A final note for Dan, if you are looking for guinea pigs for new products, send me an email, I would love to help out if I can.
May 11th, 2008 at 6:19 pm
Dan! Shiseido makes the most cosmetically ellegant and effective sunscreens that utilize minerals for uva protection! try em out
May 16th, 2008 at 8:35 am
I use Aveeno Sunblock Lotion, Continuous Protection, for the Face SPF 30- however it is Avobenzone based. I started using this a year ago because it and Aveeno’s facial moisturizer were the only things gentle enough to heal my skin after a bad run in with Neutrogena Acne Rapid Clear Pads (I used 2 pads- and that was enough to leave me with sunburned looking redness that was painful to touch and peeled)…
I like Jamie’s suggestion of offering two kinds of sunblock so people can use which ever works best for their skin type.
June 14th, 2008 at 12:15 am
Hey Dan:
Always a pleasure reading your stuff, your 10% morning and night ritual saved my life when as a 31 year old I experienced acne for the first time
I’ve been using the new L’oreal UV lift with Mexoryl and Avobenzone and it really is a lot lighter and less gooky (real word?) on my face. The break-outs have lessened. I actually experience break-outs with TDioxide and Zoxide, maybe because I have a bit oilier shiny skin in the summer. I heard some rave reviews about the new Lancome Paris with Mexoryl from a blog. THey said it was a little thicker, but handled sweat and water pretty well, and didn’t cause break-outs in heat. I’m going to try it and I’ll let you know. Can’t wait to try your product though when it comes out. Please keep me on the mailing list when you get it up and running.