Is Mineral Sunscreen Better Than Chemical Sunscreen?

I’ll admit it: I am terrified of the sun. Aside from the fact I can think about the sun and get a sunburn, there are an array of reasons me and the sun aren’t on the best of terms. This has led to an obsession with sunscreen. I never leave the house without slathering myself in it, and I generally have at least one bottle of SPF in my bag. I take a lot of pride in being an adult who passionately cares about sun protection. Ask around, I don’t shut up about it. And you know you should be wearing sunscreen — everyday. No matter rain or shine, you should be wearing a broad spectrum sunscreen to prevent both skin cancer and skin’s premature aging. I could talk all day about sun protection, but today I want to focus on a question I hear often: what the hell is a mineral sunscreen?

There’s a lot of debate surrounding whether or not chemical sunscreens are dangerous and if mineral SPF is the best way to go. Since I’m not a dermatologist, I can’t fully speak to the accuracy of those arguments; however, I have done enough research (from credible sources, not Facebook) to make the broad statement that both are equally protective. So today we are figuring out what the heck the difference is between mineral sunscreen and chemical sunscreen.

What’s a Mineral Sunscreen Anyway?

Mineral sunscreens protect by physically blocking and reflecting UV light away fro the skin.There are only two mineral sunscreen ingredients: titanium dioxide and zinc oxide.

Chemical sunscreens, on the other hand, work a little differently. There are over 30 synthetic sunscreen ingredients, all of which absorb into the top layers of skin where they work in two ways. Once absorbed, they either scatter and deflect the sun’s harmful rays or convert UV rays into heat and “deactivating” them, according to Paula’s Choice. Common synthetic or chemical sunscreen ingredients include oxybenzone, octinoxate, octisalate, and avobenzone.

Is Mineral Sunscreen Non-Toxic?

Yes! Mineral sunscreens are non-toxic. “They are chemically inhert, don’t penetrate the skin, and aren’t absorbed systematically,” says Ivy Lee, adjunct assistant clinical professor of dermatology at the University of Southern California.

Mineral sunscreens are also reef-safe, which means they won’t have a negative impact on marine ecology when worn swimming.

However, it’s extremely worth noting that chemical sunscreens aren’t inherently bad for you or your skin. There has been a significant amount of fear mongering by the media after a study published on the JAMA Network stated that 4 common active ingredients were systemically absorbed into the skin/bloodstream. A similar study was conducted in 1997 and again in 2008, so this isn’t new information. The study, however, did NOT show that these ingredients were harmful.

I want to include a video posted by a dermatologist on this subject here. It breaks down the results from this study.

What’s the Best Sunscreen for Me?

When it comes to protecting your skin from the sun’s harmful rays, mineral sunscreens and chemical sunscreens are equally protective. And like may cosmetic products, determining which is best is a personal journey. But really…the best sunscreen for you is the one you’ll actually wear.

When deciding between mineral and chemical sunscreen, it’s important to consider your skin type and lifestyle.

Mineral Sunscreen:

• (+) Begin to work immediately on application, but must be absorbed to be most effective (and to make sure they don’t rub off onto clothing)
• (+) Have almost no risk of irritating skin — i.e.: good for sensitive skin
• (+) Reef-friendly
• (-) Can be thick and chalky — may leave a white cast, sometimes making them undesirable for people with darker skin tones
• (-) May need more careful, liberal application — i.e.: if you think you’ve applied too much, apply just a bit more

Chemical Sunscreen:

• (+) Tend to be thinner, more comfortable textures
• (+) Preferred for water resistance
• (-) Take about 20 minutes after application to begin working
• (-) Can cause skin reactions on sensitive skin

I use both.

I said mineral sunscreens are more conducive to be reef safe. And while that is true, let’s be honest. Sunscreen isn’t causing the reefs to die. And besides, I live in West Virginia; there are no reefs for me to harm. So I do a mineral sunscreen/chemical sunscreen hybrid.

Chemical sunscreens are great for my body. They’re generally clear, lightweight, and easy to apply. They tend to dry quickly, which makes them great for the body when I’m in clothes. However, I notice my eyes getting extremely irritated when I wear it on my face and around my eye area. And that isn’t ideal. You really want to make sure you’re including your eyelids in your sunscreen routine.

So for my face, I opt for mineral options. They aren’t irritating and, since they generally have less oil in the formula, are good to wear under makeup.

Some of my favorite sunscreen formulas:

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I hope you enjoyed this post about the differences (and similarities) between mineral and chemical sunscreens. Make sure to stock up for your summer vacations!

Do you wear SPF everyday?