Sun Care 101: Chemical vs. Physical Sunscreens
There’s a LOT of sunscreens out there to choose from. You need to consider the SPF and the PA, of course - but you need to consider the type of sunscreen as well. Now the question is: How do you choose which between a chemical or a physical/mineral sunscreen?
No matter what type of sunscreen you're looking at, the most important thing is choosing which kind is right for your skin. First, we need to understand what mineral and chemical sunscreens are.
Mineral vs. Chemical sunscreens: what's the difference?
Before we dwell onto their own characteristics, it is important to know that both types of sunscreens are made in the lab, non-comedogenic and offer broad spectrum protection. The difference between these two types of sunscreens is 1) how they are formulated and 2) how they actively protect and shield your skin from UV rays.
|
Mineral/Physical sunscreen |
Chemical Sunscreen |
What they’re made of (active ingredients) |
100% mineral actives (such as zinc oxide and titanium dioxide) |
Synthetic (organic) ingredients |
Ingredient function |
Absorbs ~95% of the UV rays and converts them to heat, and reflects back the ~5%; Stays on top of your skin. |
Absorb the UV rays so your skin doesn’t. They absorb and convert the UV rays into heat, and releasing them from the skin. |
Suitable for skin type |
Sensitive, acne-prone |
All skin types |
Recommended to type of activity |
For everyday use |
When working out, activities that make you sweat a lot |
There is nothing inherently wrong with chemical sunscreens. They protect your skin from the sun, and allow innovation in the formulation like having lightweight, feel-good, or even invisible formulas. However, there is a reason that chemical sunscreens get a bad reputation: Many chemical sunscreens contain Oxybenzone and Octinoxate, which are well-known skin irritants that are damaging to coral reefs by causing what is called “coral bleaching”.
All sunscreens in this shop are reef-safe.
We take care to make sure they do not contain potential coral reef-harming and skin-irritating Oxybenzone and Octinoxate 😊
Mineral or physical sunscreens also had a reputation of having formulations that are too thick. Remember those 80s and 90s TV or movie beach scenes where people's noses were covered in white sunblock? That's the mineral sunscreen of the yesteryears.
Good news for people living in the 21st century, though! Formulations have improved over the years. Fortunately, there are now sophisticated formulations that's made mineral sunscreens very blendable.
Things to consider when choosing your sunscreen
Bottom line: Mineral and chemical sunscreens may be considerably different, but it is still a matter of choosing what is feels right for your skin and what you enjoy wearing. 😊
Ready to choose? Check out the physical/mineral sunscreens in store here, and all chemical sunscreens here.
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