Mineral or Chemical Sunscreen: What's the Best Choice?
Sun protection is an essential part of your skincare routine in order to protect against the signs of aging, dark spots, and skin cancer. With so many sunscreen products out there, it can be difficult to choose the right one for you. Susan Yara breaks down the two main types of sunscreen: mineral and chemical.
Mineral
Mineral sunscreens are most commonly made with Zinc Oxide, Titanium Dioxide, or a combination of both. They sit on top of your skin like a shield to protection against UV rays – this is why they’re often referred to as “physical” sunscreen. Zinc Oxide tends to be the more gentle of the two and protects against both UVA and UVB rays, while Titanium Dioxide mainly protects against UVB rays than UVA rays. As a refresher, UVA rays are the ones that age you and UVB rays are the ones that burn you.
PROS
Zinc Oxide and Titanium Dioxide are both FDA-approved to be safe for human use and for the environment
Begins working as soon as applied (no wait time after application)
Less likely to clog pores
CONS
Can wipe off easily
Typically not as water-resistant (lasts for about 40 min)
Can leave a white cast
We recommend REN Clean Screen Sunscreen SPF 30 ($36) and Kopari Sundaze Mineral Face Sunscreen ($34) if you want to go the mineral sunscreen route.
Chemical
Chemical sunscreens differ because they act like a sponge soaking up UV rays and then dissipating them from the skin as heat.
PROS
Spreads easily for a lighter feeling on skin
Doesn’t leave a white cast
Commonly used in makeup and skincare products with SPF
CONS
Some chemical sunscreen ingredients like Oxybenzone and Octinoxate can disrupts hormones and be toxic for the environment (especially coral reefs!)
Can be more irritating to skin
Unpleasant “chemical” scent
Some chemical sunscreens to try are Supergoop! Superscreen Daily Moisturizer ($38) and Coola 360˚ Sun Silk Drops SPF 30 ($46).
