Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsMineral SunscreenChemical SunscreenPros and ConsWhich Type Is Better?Other Sun Protection
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Mineral Sunscreen
Chemical Sunscreen
Pros and Cons
Which Type Is Better?
Other Sun Protection
Sunscreen is one of the most important tools for protecting you from the harmful effects of sun exposure, no matter your skin tone.
Sunlight contains different wavelengths of rays, including ultraviolet A (UVA) and ultraviolet B (UVB). UVA rays canlead to signs of aging skin, like wrinkles and age spots, and can travel through glass. UVB rays causesunburnbut cannot pass through glass. Too much of either canraise the risk of developing skin cancer.
This article will explore the two main types of sunscreen—mineral and chemical—how they work, and the pros and cons of each.
LAW Ho Ming / Getty Images
What Is Mineral Sunscreen (Physical Sunscreen)?
How Does Chemical Sunscreen Work?
Chemical sunscreens contain ingredients that absorb the sun’s ultraviolet rays before they can damage your skin. The rays are released from your skin as heat. Common chemicals used in sunscreen include:
Are Chemical Sunscreens Safe?
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and other experts have been studying sunscreens for years to evaluate their safety.
In 2020, a project examined 29 studies that examined the effects of two ingredients in chemical sunscreen: oxybenzone (BP-3) and octinoxate (OMC). Concerns had been raised that these chemicals might affect certain hormones in the body, including reproductive hormones.
The review found that the chemicals do reach the bloodstream but do not appear to harm health. However, the experts called for further study.
BP-3 and OMC have been banned from products sold in Hawaii and Key West, Florida,among other areas, over concerns they could harm delicate coral reefs.As of 2019, the FDA also banned two ingredients previously used in chemical sunscreens, PABA and trolamine salicylate.
Pros and Cons of Mineral and Chemical Sunscreens
Pros of Mineral Sunscreens
Points in favor of mineral sunscreens include:
Cons of Mineral Sunscreens
Drawbacks of mineral sunscreens include:
Pros of Chemical Sunscreen
Points in favor of chemical sunscreens include:
Cons of Chemical Sunscreen
Drawbacks of chemical sunscreens include:
Which Type of Sunscreen Is Better?
Any good sunscreen will help protect you from increasing your risk of skin cancer and premature skin aging. The main factor isfinding a sunscreenthat you will use.
Many formulationsare available, so consider whether you want a lotion, cream,spray, or stick. Do you want a different formfor your facethan your body? Convenience and ease of use may influence whether you use it consistently.
Look for broad-spectrum sunscreen, which protects against both UVA and UVB rays. It should have asun protection factor (SPF) of at least 30.SPF measures protection against UVB rays but not UVA rays.
People with darker skin tones or uneven skin color may want to consider a tinted sunscreen with iron oxide or pigmentary titanium dioxide.Tinted sunscreens protect against visible light (the light we can see), as well as UVA and UVB rays. Visible light can darken the skin or worsen uneven tones.
If you are concerned about the ingredients, be aware that all sunscreens contain chemicals. Mineral sunscreens may seem to be more natural than chemical sunscreens, but they are simply inorganic compounds (ones that don’t contain carbon).
Hybrid sunscreens, which contain both mineral and chemical components, are also available.
Other Types of Sun Protection
In addition to sunscreens, other ways to protect your skin from the harmful effects of the sun include:
Regarding UPF clothing, the darker the color and tighter the weave, the more protective it is. UPF clothing can lose its effectiveness over time, so replace it as recommended.
Summary
Whichever form you choose, follow the directions for application, including how long it will take for the sunscreen to become effective and how often you need to reapply it.
11 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
World Health Organization.Ultraviolet radiation.
Acne.org.Do physical sunscreens absorb ultraviolet (UV) radiation?
Food and Drug Administration.FDA proposes sunscreen monograph updates.
Guan LL, Lim HW, Mohammad TF.Sunscreens and photoaging: a review of current literature.Am J Clin Dermatol. 2021;22(6):819-828. doi:10.1007/s40257-021-00632-5
Suh S, Pham C, Smith J, Mesinkovska NA.The banned sunscreen ingredients and their impact on human health: a systematic review.Int J Dermatol.2020;59(9):1033-1042. doi:10.1111/ijd.14824
American Academy of Dermatology Association.How to select a sunscreen.
Lyons AB, Trullas C, Kohli I, Hamzavi IH, Lim HW.Photoprotection beyond ultraviolet radiation: a review of tinted sunscreens.J Am Acad Dermatol. 2021;84(5):1393-1397. doi:10.1016/j.jaad.2020.04.079
Skin Cancer Foundation.All about sunscreen.
American Academy of Dermatology Association.Sunscreen FAQs.
Food and Drug Administration.Tips to stay safe in the sun: from sunscreen to sunglasses.
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