As warmer weather approaches, more and more people find themselves enjoying the outdoors. Whether lounging in the park or even planning for the beach, the need for proper sun care becomes increasingly important in the spring and summer months.
Types of Sunscreens
There are two general types of sunscreens physical and chemical. Physical sunscreens use physical UV filters while chemical sunscreens use chemical UV filters. There are also hybrid sunscreens that contain both physical and chemical sunscreen actives.
Physical Sunscreens
Physical sunscreens protect your skin from the sun by deflecting or blocking the sun’s rays. The UV filters, active ingredients, in the physical sunscreens are: Titanium dioxide and Zinc oxide. Titanium dioxide protects against UVB rays, but not the full spectrum of UVA rays. Titanium dioxide can be problematic for some people. (If you break out from mineral make up and physical sunscreen, titanium dioxide could be the culprit)
Zinc oxide protects against the entire spectrum of UVB and UVA rays. It can be used on delicate skin and is a main ingredient in diaper rash cream and is generally safe on all skin.
Physical sunscreens are usually thicker then the chemical ones and they can leave a white film or tint on your skin. They rub off more easily and need to be frequently reapplied.
Physical sunscreens start protecting immediately upon application and are FDA approved.
I highly recommend a sunscreen called Tizo3. Tizo 3 is a 100% physical sunscreen with SPF 40, tinted and non-greasy with a matte finish. You will not think that you put a sunscreen on when you apply this product. Another SPF that I recommend is Reflect from Cosmedix. This SPF comes in spray form, it is very light but a powerhouse with titanium dioxide and skin specific antioxidants. Try these products once and I guarantee you will not go back to your previous sun protection.
Chemical Sunscreens
Most Chemical sunscreens work by absorbing the sun’s rays. Chemical filters offer more coverage against UVA and UVB rays than physical sunscreens, but the range of protection will depend on the particular active ingredients and its stability.
Chemical sunscreens are colorless, odorless, and usually runny but can unfortunately irritate your skin and your eyes if it gets into them. Also you must wait 20 minutes before you go out into the sun for effective sun protection. Many effective chemical UV filters have not been FDA approved in the States, but are in sunscreens sold in Europe and Asia.
Conclusion
Physical sunscreens tend to be better tolerated by most skin types because the chemical sunscreen filters used can be irritating for many people. However, physical sunscreens may be more difficult to apply, tend to leave a white film or white streaks after application and don’t offer as much UVA protection compared to chemical sunscreens, if it does not contain zink oxide. Since they each have their pros and cons, many of today’s sunscreens contain both physical and chemical UV filters.
Come to the Laser Image Company and let us protect your beautiful skin with an effective sunscreen.
