Are there any potential adverse reactions to sunscreens?
It is rare to have a systemic reaction to sunscreen, however local reactions in the skin such as contact dermatitis, irritant and allergic dermatitis and phototoxic reactions are common. These may even occur in the absence of sun exposure. The most common ingredients to cause adverse reactions are PABA, benzophenones, cinnamates, and methoxydibenzoylmethane. Physical sunscreens containing Titanium Dioxide and Zinc Oxide have never been implicated in causing allergic reactions and therefore are suitable for individuals with a history of allergic reaction to other sunscreens.
