Taking many drugs, such as antibiotics, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, diuretics, etc., can cause the development of photosensitive reactions in open areas of the body. These reactions are usually divided into photoallergic and phototoxic. The former occur in cases where the body has previously been sensitized to a particular drug. Clinical manifestations of photoallergic reactions develop within 1—3 days. Phototoxic reactions occur much faster (up to several hours) and clinically resemble a sunburn. Photodermatoses that have arisen while taking medications are more often observed in elderly patients due to polypharmacy and age-related changes in the pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of drugs. Sunscreens are commonly used to prevent potential photoreactions, but patient awareness of the need for them with used of some medications is very low. We present a clinical case of a phototoxic reaction that developed in an elderly patient during treatment with a tetracycline drug. Due to the refusal of the patient from drug therapy, he was prescribed medicinal cosmetics. With their using, on the 5th day of application, it was possible to stop the acute inflammatory process. This case is intended to draw the attention of specialists to the need to increase patients' awareness of the properties of the drugs they take and the possibility of developing reactions of increased photosensitivity, as well as to the effectiveness of using alternative methods of treatment and prevention of this pathology.