Which sunscreen should you be using?
As people who work in the skincare field, we feel it’s our duty to remind everyone of the importance of sunscreen. Not just during the Summer, but year-round! Our skin is our largest organ and receives the most damage due to lack of care, and unfortunately most of that damage comes from simply not protecting ourselves from the suns strong rays. So which type of sunscreen should you choose?
Mineral Sunscreen vs Chemical Sunscreen: What are they?
Mineral sunscreen is just that— sunscreen made from minerals, which are zinc oxide and titanium dioxide. These two minerals are the only ingredients approved by the FDA for use in sunscreen. This is because these ingredients, unlike others found in chemical sunscreens, do not seep into the skin or have the potential to enter your bloodstream. Instead, they sit on-top of the skin and form a barrier which blocks UVA and UVB rays from reaching the skin. Not only is this safer for your internal health, but these ingredients can also help your skins exterior health, as they are naturally anti-inflammatory and serve as a barrier protector making them ideal for sensitive, acne-prone skin. If you’re someone who is concerned with anti-aging products, sunscreen should be one of the first things to add into your skincare routine!
Chemical sunscreens are what most of us are used to, but they have a bad rep— for multiple reasons:
They require at least 30 minutes to soak into the skin before working
The need to absorb into the skin means your body is being exposed to ingredients that are known skin irritants, toxins and hormone disruptors— such as Oxybenzone, Octinoxate, Homosalate, and Avobenzone
Two of the main ingredients, Oxybenzone and Octinoxate, have been banned in Hawaii due to the danger they impose to coral and marine life (hence why you might see the label “coral reef safe” on some sunscreen bottles)
Now this isn’t to say that there aren’t cons to using mineral sunscreens. They have their own downfalls in that, although they begin to work immediately once applied to the skin, they do need time to dry or else you run the risk of them rubbing or washing off. Some also tend to leave a white cast (due to the zinc oxide), but there are tons of tinted or sheer options available now! We love this one from Suntegrity or Coola’s Matte Tinted Sunscreen. Marie Veronique also offers a great zinc-based option that offers a matte finish and feels super light-weight on the skin!
Sunscreen 101:
Look for non-nano mineral sunscreen. Nanoparticals can help blend sunscreen but are questionable for our health.
Anything over SPF 30 is not a mineral based sunscreen and will not offer much more added protection. Instead of focusing on the number, focus on re-application if you’re in direct sunlight for an extended amount of time.
Always make sure to wear sunglasses when outside to protect both your eyes from sun damage, as well as the delicate skin around your eyes.
It’s important to not avoid the sun altogether in order to also avoid having to wear sunscreen. Wear sunscreen most days, but also keep in mind the best source of vitamin D is received through the sun. If you work/live indoors with low light, be mindful to get at least a small amount (roughly 15 minutes) of unprotected sun periodically throughout the day, usually before 11am and after 3pm. Being in the sun provides our bodies with essential vitamins and can help improve our mood, immune system, and sleep patterns. (Take a look at Seasonal Affective Disorder!)
If using a spray sunscreen, it is recommended to apply it directly to your hands first instead of spraying directly onto your body, as coverage can be lost in the air. If you do spray it onto the area you’d like coverage, make sure to rub the product to evenly distribute after application. We recommend a lotion to start first thing in the morning and to reapply if you’re sitting in direct sun (like at the beach) with a spray.
Suffering from sunburnt or sun-damaged skin? Come visit us and let us help guide you through the steps needed to get your skin back under control!
Warmly,
Team Toccare