Spending time outside this summer? Make sure you’re using the right sunscreen and enough of it!
Sunscreen has come a long way since the sticky, greasy, thick lotions of the past. Nowadays, if you walk into any supermarket or drugstore in the summer months, you’ll be greeted by a wide range of sunscreen sprays, lotions, and creams. Some are chemical, while others are mineral. There are so many choices out there now, it can often feel overwhelming. Learning more about what to look out for when selecting the right one and how to use it properly can make the task less daunting.
Mineral or Chemical? That is the question!
The difference between mineral and chemical sunscreen has to do mainly with their ingredients. As the name implies, mineral sunscreens contain two minerals as their active ingredients: zinc oxide and titanium dioxide.1 These minerals create a physical barrier that blocks the skin from absorbing the sun’s UV rays (the part of sun exposure that can cause harmful skin damage). Mineral sunscreen has a couple of really great benefits that set it apart from other kinds of sunscreen. It’s a great option for people with sensitive skin because the ingredients are gentle and typically don’t cause allergic reactions. For similar reasons, it can also be great for anyone who is prone to acne because it is less likely to clog pores or increase oil on the skin. Lastly, mineral sunscreen serves as a block against UV rays, so it works as soon as you apply it, unlike chemical sunscreen. The most common cons of mineral sunscreen include its likelihood of leaving a white cast on the skin due to its ingredients, and its typically thick formula can make it more challenging to spread evenly on the body quickly.
Chemical sunscreens, on the other hand, include various chemicals that serve a different purpose in protecting the skin from the sun. Most chemical sunscreens include Oxybenzone, Octinoxate, Octisalate, and Avobenzone.2 The chemical ingredients work differently than those in mineral sunscreen by absorbing the harmful UV rays before your skin has the chance to. Because of the typically lightweight formular of chemical sunscreens, it tends to be easier to apply and leaves less of a white cast if at all compared to mineral sunscreens. A few downsides to consider when selecting a chemical sunscreen include a higher risk of causing allergic skin reactions and their inability to be immediately effective after being put on. Chemical sunscreen needs a grace period of about 20 minutes3 after application to be absorbed properly by the skin and do its job effectively. Despite a few potential cons, chemical sunscreen is still a great option for sun protection.
Overall, deciding between mineral vs. chemical sunscreen is more so about which one you like better. Many dermatologists do not feel that one type is better than the other in protecting your skin but rather it’s the way a person uses it. Applying sunscreen properly and reapplying frequently is key to maximizing the benefits of any sunscreen. Some dermatologists have suggested that depending on your activities and environment, reapplication guidelines vary. According to the American Academy of Dermatology, you should reapply sunscreen about every 2 hours when outdoors, but if you swim or sweat, follow the instructions on the bottle for more accurate reapplication advice.4 Reapplication and sunscreen strength (SPF) also depend on the strength of the sun. Keep reading to learn how to choose the right SPF.
But Which SPF?
The American Academy of Dermatology recommends that everyone, regardless of which sunscreen type you decide on, should select a sunscreen with at least an SPF of 30.5 SPF 30 is a good place to start but depending on the strength of the sun where you are, increasing the SPF can make the protection stronger for your skin. SPF stands for Sun Protection Factor, which is based on a scientific scale that measures the amount of UV radiation, also known as the UV index, needed to cause sunburn on protected skin. UV radiation is determined based on many factors such as the thickness of the ozone layer, how much cloud coverage there is, elevation , the sun’s angle in the location where you are, and more. An easy way to figure out your current location’s UV index is by searching where you live on the WillyWeather website. When the UV index is higher, it is best to use at least an SPF of 30 and to reapply your sunscreen more often than the recommended 2 hours to maintain its effectiveness.
Sunscreen Takeaways
The biggest takeaway is that while there are some hard and fast rules around sunscreen, like using at least SPF 30 and applying it liberally over the skin, there are also many sun safety tips that vary depending on your skin type, the type of activities you plan to do, the strength of the sun that day, and the amount of time you plan to spend outdoors. There is not a one-size-fits-all sunscreen or routine to protect your skin. However, one thing that will continue to remain the same is the fundamental need for sun protection. So, do your research, try different types, and reapply as needed!
- https://www.cerave.com/skin-smarts/skin-concerns/sun-protection/mineral-vs-chemical-sunscreen ↩︎
- https://www.goodrx.com/health-topic/dermatology/mineral-vs-chemical-sunscreen?srsltid=AfmBOor5URBkRXIH5vjXZ4vODBl_U48kb9XiApTMoxlpOdpkLk9iX7nN ↩︎
- https://health.clevelandclinic.org/mineral-vs-chemical-sunscreen ↩︎
- https://www.aad.org/media/stats-sunscreen ↩︎
- https://cnycentral.com/weather/weather-wisdom/explaining-the-uv-index-how-it-determines-burn-time-plus-sunscreen-tips ↩︎
Photo credit: https://pixabay.com/photos/sun-bed-sun-pad-suntan-755943/