Did you know that 1 in 10 Brits avoids holidaying in hot climates due to prickly heat/heat rash?
At Green People, we believe everyone should be able to enjoy the sun in the UK and abroad without worrying about skin irritation. That’s why we take pride in crafting our organic sun creams, suitable for all skin types, including those prone to heat rash.
Don’t put up with skin discomfort. Free your skin to breathe and discover expert tips for keeping your skin calm and comfortable during hot weather, including guidance on selecting a sunscreen for prickly heat-prone skin.
Key points
- Prickly heat, also known as heat rash, is usually caused by sweat trapped under the skin[1]
- 59% of Brits have experienced heat rash, with 10% saying they experience it regularly[1]
- Women are more likely to experience heat rash than men, with those in the 35-54 age bracket the most affecte[1]
- Some sunscreens contain ingredients, like silicones, that can stop sweat from escaping
- If you are prone to prickly heat, we recommend Green People Scent Free Sun Cream SPF30 or for kids Organic Children Scent Free Sun Cream SPF30
- You can also reduce your chance of prickly heat by wearing breathable clothing, staying in the shade and taking cool showers.
Quick shop the essentials:
Read on to discover a bit more about what prickly heat is, what causes it and find suitable sunscreens for skin prone to prickly heat so that you can enjoy your summer and holidays again.
We’ve also got more natural skin care recommendations to look after your skin without blocking perspiration – including after sun, deodorant and shower gel.
What is prickly heat (heat rash)?
Also known as miliaria, prickly heat causes a bumpy skin rash to appear during hot weather.
It’s caused by sweat glands in the skin becoming blocked. This stops the sweat from escaping the body. Instead, it leaks into nearby skin, causing redness and rashes.
Prickly heat can appear anywhere on the body, but our 2025 heat rash survey showed that it most commonly occurs on the arms, chest, back, neck and legs, with symptoms typically lasting 24-48 hours1.
Who is most at risk of prickly heat?
Anyone can experience prickly heat, but young children are particularly susceptible to it because they often struggle to regulate their body temperature effectively.
Our survey showed that women are more likely to experience heat rash than men, with those in the 35-54 age bracket the most affected1
What causes prickly heat heat rash?
Heat rash occurs when sweat glands in the skin become blocked. This stops the sweat from escaping the body. Instead, it leaks into nearby skin, causing redness and rashes.
One common cause of blocked sweat glands is the use of waterproof sunscreens. These sunscreens often contain ingredients such as mineral oils and silicones, which can block your pores.
Charlotte Vøhtz founded Green People in 1997. She says:
“Many sunscreens contain mineral oils and silicones that can clog pores. Applying these ingredients is like wrapping your skin in cling-film and can aggravate prickly heat by reducing the amount of sweat that can escape.
“At Green People, we believe that no one should miss out on essential sun protection. That’s why we refuse to use pore-clogging ingredients or skin-irritating chemicals in any of our natural and organic sunscreens.”
A question we get asked a lot is “Does SPF50 cause prickly heat?”. Our answer is sometimes, but not necessarily; SPF50 formulations can be thicker and feel heavier on the skin, which could make prickly heat more likely.
However, sunscreens of lower factors can also lead to prickly heat if they contain pore-clogging ingredients. If you are looking for a sun cream for prickly heat, the most important thing is to make sure you are choosing a non-pore clogging sunscreen.
What does having prickly heat feel like?
Our survey panel described having heat rash as being extremely itchy and unpleasant,
While our prickly heat survey revealed that most sufferers try not to let heat rash prevent them from participating in summer activities, 36% of our survey respondents said that heat rash leaves them feeling agitated, and 33% stated they feel frustrated by this summer skin rash1.
Worryingly, some even skip important sun protection due to concerns that this daily essential will trigger a reaction.
SHOCKING HEAT RASH STATISTICS
- 59% of Brits have experienced heat rash1
- 37% say the heat rash leaves them feeling uncomfortable1
- A third (34%) have missed out on a work or social event due to their heat rash, with a similar proportion (33%) missing out due to fear of developing heat rash1
- 64% of those who regularly experience heat rash have avoided using suncream due to worries it will trigger irritation or a heat rash breakout1
Discover natural sunscreens for prickly heat
Don’t risk sun damage over concerns about prickly heat.
Say goodbye to irritation and say hello to breathable protection with Green People's natural, organic and scent-free sun creams.
Best adult’s sunscreen for prickly heat
Scent Free Sun Cream SPF30 200ml
Protect sensitive skin naturally with our best-selling SPF30 sun cream
356 kr
Best kids’ sunscreen for prickly heat
Organic Children Scent Free Sun Cream - SPF30 150ml
Discover peace-of-mind protection with our best-selling kids’ SPF30 sun cream
318 kr
Browse our full range of sunscreens for prickly heat.
All of our natural and organic sun creams are dermatologically tested and clinically proven to be kind to sensitive skin. We use natural plant waxes to make them water-repellent and avoid using pore-clogging ingredients, which can exacerbate prickly heat.
Here are a few reasons why we believe that our non-pore clogging sun creams are the best SPFs for skin that’s prone to heat rash:
- Effective, broad-spectrum sun protection
- No pore-clogging ingredients
- Rich in soothing plant actives
- Dermatologically tested
- Clinically proven to be kind to sensitive skin
Loved by those prone to prickly heat, our sunscreens are also ocean-friendly (no Oxybenzone, Octocrylene or Octinoxate) and free from PABA, parabens and artificial colours and fragrances.
Wondering which to choose? Check out our quick and easy quiz to help you identify the best sunscreen for your skin.
Shop all our prickly heat-friendly sunscreens.
Loved by you
Don’t just take our word for it. Discover how good it feels when your skin is free to breathe, and take a look at some of the reviews we’ve had from customers who say making the switch to skin-kind sun creams has helped them regain control of their summer.
“I purchase every summer. Absorbs easily and I’ve avoided prickly heat since using this suncream as it is non-greasy and non-pore clogging.”
Patricia, verified buyer of Scent Free Sun Cream SPF30
“Wow , just got back from Kos and it was hot, first time in my 50 odd years I haven’t suffered with prickly heat . I would 100 % recommend this product and will not be using anything else in the future . The after sun is amazing too , kept my skin very hydrated !”
Helen
“This sun cream is an absolute game changer for anybody who suffers with prickly heat. I’ve tried every brand of “sensitive” sun cream and this is the only one I’ve found that is genuinely unscented and suitable for sensitive skin. I’ve been in Greece for over a week in 38+ degree temperatures, and I’d normally be covered in prickly heat by now, but I have none!”
Laura
“Love this, no prickly heat, no eczema flare-up, good coverage and protection. Wouldn't go through the summer without it!”
Susanne, verified buyer of Organic Children's Scent Free Sun Cream.
Try before you buy
Shop our sun cream samples
After sun for prickly heat
Does heat rash irritate your skin? Soothe and calm with a gentle, natural after sun.
Keep the skin-calm feeling going when you’re out of the sun with our natural after sun for prickly heat-prone skin.
The perfect partner for your Scent Free Sun Cream SPF30, this dermatologically tested, natural after sun nourishes and soothes with organic Aloe Vera, using Peppermint to gently cool the skin after sun exposure.
Hydrating After Sun 200ml
Keep your tan for longer with this moisturising natural after sun lotion
252 kr
More ways to help prevent prickly heat
As one of the UK's leading brands of sunscreens for those prone to heat rash, we are often asked how to prevent prickly heat on holiday or during the summertime in the UK.
Switching your sunscreen is the just the first step to managing your prickly heat naturally. Here are a few more tips you might like to try the next time the weather warms up.
- Drink plenty of water
- Stick to the shade
- Take a cool shower – 30% of heat rash sufferers take a cool shower to manage their symptoms1
- Avoid exercise in the heat
- Wear loose, light cotton clothing
Did you know?
Prickly heat can appear anywhere, but it often affects areas of the body covered by clothing. That’s because there tends to be more sweat produced when clothing rubs against the skin.
No wonder 39% of those prone to prickly heat wear loose, light cotton clothing to help reduce their risk of heat rash1.
We hope this guide has helped you to reduce your risk of heat rash. Looking for a sunscreen for prickly heat? Browse our range of natural sunscreens or find your perfect SPF match with our SPF finder tool!
Prefer to talk to us? No problem. Our UK customer care team is happy to assist with any questions you may have about prickly heat and our organic sun cream. Please call us on 01403 740350 or drop us a note at @GreenPeopleUK.
REVIEWED BY CHARLOTTE, FOUNDER OF GREEN PEOPLE
This blog post has been reviewed by Charlotte Vøhtz, founder of Green People, who has 25+ years of experience in the natural and organic beauty industry.
A recognised leader in the field of organic beauty, Charlotte helped inform the UK's first organic beauty standards and was voted the People’s Choice in the 2023 list of Who’s Who in Natural Beauty.
A published author, she wrote the organic beauty bible ‘Naturally Gorgeous’. Previously, she qualified as a nurse and spent over 10 years working in pharmaceuticals.
If you wish to republish this content, please credit Green People as the original creator with a link to Essential guide to prickly heat. Please do not use an affiliate link.
[i] https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/heat-rash-prickly-heat/
