Sun-Sensitive Ingredients For The Skin,  Including Natural Ingredients

Why This Matters

As summer winds down, it’s important to understand which skincare ingredients can make your skin more sensitive to the sun.

Using them without care can lead to redness, irritation, or even long-term damage. Let’s break it down.

Why Glycolic Acid and Retinol Are Sun-Sensitive

• Both are powerful anti-aging ingredients, often called the Holy Grail of skincare.

• They work by exfoliating the skin, removing dead cells from the surface.

• This process reveals fresh, youthful skin – but also leaves it more vulnerable to sunburn and irritation.

• Think of it like baby skin exposed to sunlight: soft, but easily damaged.

Other Common Sun-Sensitive Ingredients

Besides Glycolic Acid and Retinol, other ingredients to watch include:

• Salicylic Acid

• Benzoyl Peroxide

• Ascorbic Acid (Vitamin C in high concentration)

• Hydroquinone (not recommended – banned in the EU, Australia, and Japan)

• Kojic Acid (also discouraged due to side effects)

At UFlawless, we never use Hydroquinone or Kojic Acid in our formulations.

How To Use Them Safely

• Reserve Retinol, Glycolic Acid, and Salicylic Acid for nighttime use.

• If you prefer daytime use, choose lower-strength formulas and always apply sunscreen.

• Consider Vitamin C as a gentler brightening alternative. It offers two benefits: antioxidant protection + photoprotection.

Can Natural Ingredients Be Sun-Sensitive?

Yes! Many people assume “natural” always means safe, but that’s not the case. These natural extracts can trigger sun sensitivity:

• Lime

• Grapefruit

• Bergamot

• Thyme

• Coriander oil

• Peppermint

• Rose

• Sage

• Witch Hazel

• Fennel

Each skin reacts differently, so pay attention to how yours responds.

Natural Sun Protection Without Sunscreen

• Sun-protective clothing: A regular T-shirt has an SPF of about 7 (and drops to 3 when wet). A black denim shirt can have SPF 1700! Specialized clothing is more comfortable but still protective.

• Avoid peak hours: Stay out of direct sun between 10 AM–4 PM in summer.

• Accessories: Hats, UV-blocking sunglasses, and umbrellas add extra layers of protection.

Broad-Spectrum Protection Explained

• UVA = Aging (causes wrinkles and sagging over time).

• UVB = Burning (responsible for sunburns and higher risk of skin cancer).

• HEV/Blue Light = Deep Damage (from screens and sunlight, penetrates deeper than UVA/UVB, speeds up pigmentation and premature aging).

A broad-spectrum sunscreen protects against all three.

UFlawless Solution: X3 Primer Moisturizing SPF 40

• Protects against UVA, UVB, and HEV light.

• Works as a tinted mineral sunscreen and doubles as a makeup primer.

• Reef-safe, fragrance-free, and non-irritating.

• Rich in antioxidants to fight free radicals while preventing fine lines, wrinkles, and dark spots.

Peace of mind, full protection, and a youthful, lifted appearance.