Hi! It is summer for a large portion (but not all) of our users. These temperatures are no joke! I've gone and gathered some information that may...
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The original was posted on /r/autism by /u/WindermerePeaks1 on 2025-07-04 00:09:02+00:00.

Hi! It is summer for a large portion (but not all) of our users. These temperatures are no joke! I’ve gone and gathered some information that may help :) Feel free to add anything I’ve left out in the comments!

Topics in this post:

  1. Sunscreen.
  2. Alternative sun protection.
  3. Sunburns.
  4. How to wear long sleeves safely.
  5. How to stay cool in high temperatures.

Sensory Friendly Sunscreens

There is no one size fits all because we have different sensory needs.

However, you may be more inclined to a certain type of sunscreen than another.

Gels

  • “For the face I can totally recommend “Clinique Superdefence 40”. It’s a gel, not a cream and feels like liquid on skin. It’s cost is quite steep, so I use any other oil free sunscreen for my body.”
  • “I had the same issue, then i found Neutrogena hydro boost sunscreen (there’s the “everywhere” version and the face version) and it changed everything. It absorbs very fast and doesnt feel gross. Its more like a light gel.”
  • “Been trying out “Skin Aqua UV Super Moisture Gel” and like it so far.”

Sticks

  • “I use Attitude brand sunscreen if I have to. It comes in a tube like a glue stick, slightly nicer texture. I prefer SPF clothing though, no greasy oil just synthetic fabric.”
  • “I found a sunscreen made for babies that comes in a stick like deodorant specifically for your face. I think it’s Aveeno Baby. It works great without the greasy feel and doesn’t make my face break out. For the rest of my body, I use the spray kind and rub my hands on a towel after rubbing it in.”
  • Neutrogena Wet Skin Kids Stick
  • Neutrogena Dry Touch Ultra Sheer Stick
  • Aveeno Baby Face stick sunscreen

Sprays

  • “Nivea SPF50 protect and dry touch is more tolerable than most”
  • “Nivea SPF50 protect and dry touch is decent and what I use”
  • “I use Neutrogena Clear Body SPF 50 Sunscreen Spray, it’s not greasy like suncream or lotion and feels like putting very light oil on your skin.”
  • “I recently discovered Blue Lizard mineral sunscreen spray (I use the one for sensitive skin) and have been very happy with it, it goes on very dry.”
  • Babo Botanicals Sheer Zinc Spray
  • Banana Boat Light as Air
  • “While wearing Black Girl Sunscreen’s Make It Glow SPF 30, I barely noticed it on my skin. There was still a slight oily feeling to it even once dry if I directly touched it with my hand, but it was never so extreme that I felt I needed to wash my hands before touching other objects.”
  • “If you’re in the market for a non-sticky sunscreen, the Babo Botanicals Sheer Zinc Sunscreen for Extra Sensitive Skin SPF 30 was one of my favorites to wear once I actually had it applied. It was entirely dry to the touch and left no residue at all when I brushed against it. It also left an odd matte texture on my skin that wasn’t horrible, but it was definitely a noticeable departure from how my skin normally looks.”

Lotions

  • “I use neutrogena’s ultra-sheer spf 70 dry touch sunscreen and it doesn’t feel greasy/oily nor does it have a much of a smell. it smells a bit sunscreen-y when you first apply it, but it wears off within seconds”
  • “The look of the **Neutrogena Ultra Sheer Dry Touch SPF 70’**s finish was one of the strongest from this list for those (like me) who are bothered by visual changes in skin texture. There were no noticeable matte or shiny qualities beyond what my skin normally looks like. It also wasn’t overly noticeable while wearing it, in a very pleasing way.”
  • “Supergoop is my preferred product. Not greasy or sticky. Not very oily either.”
  • "I use Cetaphil daily moisturizer with spf on my face. "
  • “I really like the Cerave sunscreen, it feels kinda gross first applying but it dries really really quickly and then it doesn’t feel all gross and greasy after it’s dry like some others do. Hope this helps some :>”
  • " I use Banana Boat Light As Air Sunscreen Lotion for the rest of my body."
  • “The other is Banana Boat Sheer Sunscreen. It’s still a lotion, but it isn’t too lotion-y. It’s very thin and doesn’t gunk all up between your fingers or on you. I use it for the beach and such.”
  • Neutrogena Dry Touch Ultra Sheer
  • Supergoop Unseen Sunscreen
  • Biore UV Aqua Rich Watery Essence

Powders - primarily for the face

  • Brush on Block Translucent Mineral Powder Sunscreen
  • Sunforgettable Total Protection Brush-On Shield

Coping strategies or distraction tactics to putting on sunscreen

“Sometimes I apply sunscreen with latex/vinyl disposable gloves on. Take off the gloves and snap, you’re done and no gross hands.”

Providing proprioceptive input prior to sunscreen application can help to reduce touch sensitivity. This is the sensory input one receives from the movement and force of muscles and joints.

Some examples include

  • massage/deep pressure to applicable areas
  • any pushing/pulling movement
  • use of weighted items
  • digging in sand
  • animal crawls
  • wheelbarrow walks

Rub down arms, legs, and back with a towel before applying sunscreen.

Sunscreen alternatives for when you really just can’t handle it.

“I bought some (hi spf rated) sunscreen shirts, brand was Willit but similar ones out there, that have hoods, thumb holes to cover backs of hands, and even a full face pullover. Wear these & big sunshade hat instead of sunblock.”

“Like others, I use UV clothing and hats in direct sun”

“I do prefer just having long sleeved clothing and using an uv protective umbrella or a hat (pro tip, you might be able to find wide brimmed basic bucket hats with spf 50 rating from stores that sell fishing gear, i found mine from a store like that)”

Coolibar Clothing – Limit the amount of skin that is exposed directly to the sun using protective clothing. This brand offers sun protective clothing options in shirts, hats, bottoms, and swimwear.

Sunburns

Generally the best treatment for a sunburn is pure aloe gel.

They make varieties that are lotion based but the best treatment is going to be pure aloe.

People often keep their aloe vera gel in the fridge so that application is cold.

If you are cold sensitive, you might want to keep yours out of the fridge.

Heat and needing to be in long sleeves

If you need to remain in long sleeves during the summer, there are ways to make it more accessible and less dangerous.

Usually it is recommended to wear cotton or linen.

It is also recommended to wear loose-fitting shirts.

While some autistics may like cotton or linen loose-fitting shirts, some do not.

Another option is to wear an athletic, sweat-wicking, tight-fitting shirt.

A tight-fitting shirt will work better for those that don’t like light touch and instead prefer pressure.

If you don’t like these options and have a shirt you like to wear already, you can try arm sleeves.

Arm sleeves are separate from a shirt and can come on or off whenever needed.

When wearing long clothing in the summer heat, it is important to wear light colors.

Light colors will reflect the sunlight away from your skin, keeping you more cool than dark colors.

How to stay cool with heat sensitivity.

Try to drink a lot of water. You need at least four cups of water. (Four cups of water is not very much. You need more than this, but I am sharing the minimum for those that struggle).

Not everyone can drink water. If you can, try to drink something hydrating instead like a sports drink or something with electrolytes.

Electrolytes taste salty. Some common electrolyte drinks are Gatorade, Powerade, Pedialyte, Liquid IV, coconut water, Lucozade Sport, and Body Armor.

I struggle with drinking liquids and am frequently dehydrated. Sometimes I like to chew on ice cubes because I like the crunching feeling. This helps me get water.

I also like popsicles. Eating a popsicle is another way to get liquids.

You can also get water through some foods, like watermelon or cucumber.

If you go outside, make sure you have water with you, and take frequent breaks.

If you have a lot of trouble understanding when you are overheating, have someone with you that can tell you. It is important to cool down when you are overheating.

There are many ideas to staying cool when overheating. Some of these are:

  • Cooling towels. You wet it, ring the extra water out, and lay it on the back of your neck. You can also use a cold rag or cold hand towel.
  • Portable fan. These come in a lot of varieties. Some you can put around your neck (Portable neck fan) and some you just hold or set on your desk.
  • Cooling vest. This is good for those that have sensitivities to wind on their skin. The cooling vest is made of ice packs.
  • Gel cap. These are usually meant for migraines, but when you are hot, cooling your head down can cool the rest of your body down. They go on your head and cover your eyes. You can also stick them in the fridge to get extra cold.
  • Ice packs. Ice packs can keep your drinks cold. They can also be used to cool your body down by placing them inside a ziploc bag, then wrapping a hand towel around the bag and placing it on your chest, neck, or fo…

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