Remember to check your sunscreen products this summer  

If you have a food allergy, you may need to avoid products that contain that food, or extracts from it, including cosmetics, toiletries, medicines and bath and massage oils. And sunscreen products are no exception to this, as they may also contain food ingredients.

There are still unanswered questions about how likely cosmetic products containing food ingredients are to cause allergic reactions.

The risk may be higher from products that contain raw or unrefined food ingredients as they still contain their proteins, and it’s the proteins in a food that cause allergic reactions.

However, as there is still uncertainty, it’s safest to avoid any products that contain the food you’re allergic to. 

Nut, fruit or seed oils can be found in some sunscreens, but they are not universally present in all products. Manufacturers use a variety of oils and ingredients based on the specific formulation and intended benefits of the sunscreen.  

The following list shows Latin names for some food ingredients that might be used in sunscreen products: 

• Almond (sweet): Prunus dulcis (Prunus amygdalus dulcis) 

• Almond (bitter): Prunus amara (Prunus amygdalus amara) 

• Avocado: Persea gratissima  

• Apricot: Prunus armeniaca  

• Coconut: Cocos nucifera  

• Hazelnut: Corylus rostrata (Corylus americana/Corylus avellana)  

• Macadamia: Macadamia ternifolia (Macadamia integrifolia)   

• Shea Butter: Vitellaria paradoxa  

• Sunflower: Helianthus annuus  

• Rice: Oryza sativa  

• Sesame: Sesamum indicum 

These ingredients may be included in sunscreens for their various benefits, such as hydration, emollience, and skin protection. Whilst they are not necessarily common ingredients and many high street brands will be safe for those with these allergies,.it is important, to check the product labels carefully before using sunscreen products in case of an allergic reaction. And don’t forget to check the labels every time you buy the product as ingredients and labels can change from batch to batch. If you’re ever unsure whether a product is safe, contact the company’s customer care service, or avoid the product. 

Please note that products labelled or marketed as ‘hypoallergenic’ can be misleading. This term does not guarantee they are safe for individuals with allergies, as some may still contain food proteins.  

For more information on food-derived ingredients in non-food items, such as cosmetics and medicines, see our factsheet: Cosmetics and medicines for people with food allergies.