Did you know that just ONE extreme sunburn can double your chances of developing melanoma (aka the worst type of skin cancer) later in life? And that five or more bad sunburns more than doubles your risk of developing life-threatening melanoma?
Exposure to UV radiation is estimated to be associated with 80%–90% of skin cancers.
That’s scary! But don't let anybody dull your sunshine. Protect your skin every time you’re exposed to UV light (which is pretty much every day for most people– yes, even if you stay indoors all day).
You’ve definitely heard by now that sunscreen is the holy grail to protecting your skin. But, did you know that there’s a difference between mineral and chemical sunscreen? How about choosing the right sunscreen for your skin type? Perhaps you’re curious about how sunscreen works. Well, you’ve chosen the right blog!
Mineral vs. chemical sunscreen
Mineral sunscreens provide a thick, physical layer of UV-protecting ingredients (zinc oxide and titanium dioxide) that reflect light. They don’t absorb into the skin, but rather sit on top of it— sometimes giving deeper skin tones a white cast.
Chemical sunscreens are more common in biotech-powered beauty products due to their lab-derived nature. Chemical sunscreens offer a more pleasant and easier to blend texture (buh-bye white cast!), and work by absorbing UV rays then altering their chemical structure to reduce sun damage. Key word: reduce. Chemical sunscreens are not going to provide as much protection (but remember, the best sunscreen is the one you use everyday, mineral or not)! Chemical sunscreens wear off more quickly and must be reapplied every couple of hours. Users might opt for chemical sunscreen since it is easier to apply, has less chance of leaving a white cast, and can be easier to use under makeup.
The bottom line: mineral sunscreens are heavier and will generally act as a physical barrier between what’s below it and the environment. Chemical sunscreens are lighter in texture and utilize chemical reactions to prevent UV damage.
But I’ve heard that some sunscreens have harmful ingredients…
You’re absolutely right! Some sunscreen ingredients like Oxybenzone, Octinoxate, Octocrylene, and nano-Titanium dioxide, are super common, but not “reef-safe.” Beyond that, there are several sun-protecting ingredients that might not be so safe for your skin or the environment.
Here is a list of sun-protecting ingredients that are not “generally recognized as safe and effective” (GRASE) by the FDA due to insufficient data, possible hormone disruption, skin allergy, potential to cause cancer, and environmental damage:
- Avobenzone
- Dioxybenzone
- Meradimate
- Octinoxate
- Octisalate
- Octocrylene
- Oxybenzone
The two ingredients that have been classified as GRASE by the FDA are zinc oxide and titanium dioxide.
Choosing the right sunscreen for you
For Sensitive Skin: Mineral sunscreens are often the better choice due to their gentle nature. Check out this blog here to help determine which sunscreen suits your skin type.
For Active Use: Mineral sunscreens offer immediate protection, making them suitable for spontaneous outdoor activities. Chemical sunscreens, on the other hand, must be absorbed before going out in the sun (about 15-30 minutes).
For Daily Wear: Chemical sunscreens might be preferred for their ease of application and integration into daily skincare routines and ease of use under makeup.
For Eco-Conscious Consumers: Mineral sunscreens are generally more environmentally friendly.
Rise and shiiine!
Miss Kylie Jenner was on point for this one. But we think the full line was “Rise and shine (and put on SPF)” because you should be wearing sun protection everyday.
Let’s stay sunkissed and safe, Healthy Hotties!
XO,
BiotechBeauty
