Switching sunscreens can feel daunting, especially when you've finally found one that doesn't irritate. A simple checklist makes it easier. Here is what to look for so the next one is a good fit from the first application.
Start with what irritated last time
Before you choose a new sunscreen, it's worth spending a moment with the old one's ingredient list. If you experienced redness, itching, or a rash, there's likely a specific ingredient behind it. Common triggers include fragrance, essential oils, and Oxybenzone.
Note down anything that looks suspicious, and use that as your starting point when comparing alternatives. You don't need to become an expert in cosmetic chemistry. You just need to find that one ingredient and check that it's absent from whatever you try next.
The checklist
Here is what to look for when switching to a sunscreen for sensitive skin:
- Fragrance-free (not just "unscented") — unscented products can still contain masking fragrances, which are a common irritant. Fragrance-free means none has been added at all.
- Essential oil-free - natural doesn't always mean gentle. Many essential oils are potent sensitisers for reactive skin.
- Oxybenzone-free - associated with contact sensitivity in some people, particularly children.
- SPF50+ broad spectrum - the highest widely available protection, covering both UVA and UVB.
- Water resistant - look for a stated duration so you know it holds up at the beach or pool.
- Independently tested or TGA-registered - evidence that the protection claims have been verified, not just labelled. Look for a named testing lab, a standards reference, or an ARTG registration number.
- Genuinely Australian made - see the section below on why this matters.
Why "Australian made" is worth checking
The term can be used loosely. A product can be "made in Australia" if it was assembled or packaged here, even if many or most of its ingredients are sourced and processed elsewhere. For sunscreen in particular, the manufacturing process affects the stability and effectiveness of the formulation, not just where the box was printed.
When we say our sunscreen is genuinely Australian made, we mean it is manufactured here. That's worth asking about when comparing options. A brand that is genuinely transparent about manufacturing will be able to answer the question directly. Why independent testing matters is also worth reading alongside this, as the two questions are related.
Patch test before you commit
Even when a sunscreen ticks every box on the checklist, a patch test before full use is a sensible step, especially for children with highly reactive skin.
Apply a small amount to the inside of the wrist or elbow. Leave it for 24 to 48 hours without washing the area. If there is no redness, itching, or irritation, proceed to normal use. If there is a reaction, check the ingredient list against anything you've flagged as a previous trigger, and speak with your GP before trying again.
Frequently asked questions
What should I look for when switching sunscreens?
Start by noting what irritated you or your child in the previous sunscreen. Then look for a replacement that is fragrance-free, essential oil-free, oxybenzone-free, SPF50+ broad spectrum, water resistant, and either independently tested or TGA-registered. A patch test before full use is always worthwhile for sensitive skin.
Will a new sunscreen irritate sensitive skin?
Not necessarily. Reactions are usually caused by specific ingredients rather than sunscreen in general. Switching to a fragrance-free, essential oil-free, and oxybenzone-free formula significantly reduces the risk. A patch test gives you a safe way to check before full application.
Our SPF50+ Sensitive Skin Sunscreen meets all of the criteria on this checklist. It's also free from Parabens, Phthalates, Sulphates, Petroleum, Triclosan, and BPA, genuinely Australian made, and independently verified by Eurofins Dermatest with a mean SPF of 61.0.
This post is for general information only. For personalised skin care advice, speak with your GP or dermatologist.
