With the warmth of summer comes damaging sun rays, leading to the age-old debate of which sunscreen is best. There are essentially two categories of sunscreen - mineral and chemical. Though it may seem like a trivial decision, the two work in very different ways and offer different protection. Let's look at the key differences to figure out, which one may be best. But first, a quick note on the sun.
Sun Rays
The sun emits three types of light in the ultraviolet region - A, B, and C. The deadliest, UV-C, is completely blocked by Earth's atmosphere. Aging UV-A and damaging UV-B must be blocked by clothing or sunscreen.
Chemical Sunscreens: Absorption
These typically tout a high SPF, or sun protection factor, meaning they block a high amount of UV-B rays. This suggests it protects very well against UV-B rays, but it does not say much about its UV-A defense. Chemical sunscreens work by absorbing the ultraviolet rays with specific chemicals, like oxybenzone. To do so, they are absorbed into the top layer of the skin. If someone has sensitive skin or is prone to acne, applying a chemical sunscreen will likely cause irritation and/or breakout.
Mineral Sunscreen: Barrier
Mineral sunscreen works by creating a barrier on top of the skin without absorbing it. This means no harmful chemicals will enter the body or irritate the skin. Typically, zinc or titanium oxides are used to create a barrier. These usually contain broad-spectrum protection, meaning wearers will be shielded from both UV-A and UV-B.
TiZO3 Facial Mineral Sunscreen
Considering the lack of skin irritation and the broader range of protection, mineral, as opposed to chemical sunscreen is the better route for sun protection. One example of a great mineral sunscreen is the TiZO3 Facial Mineral Sunscreen. It is an SPF-40, broad-spectrum tinted mineral sunscreen. It uses both of the top two sunscreen filters to protect against premature skin sagging, aging, and wrinkling due to sun exposure.
When taking care of your skin, it’s not only important that you are applying SPF protection but also what type of product you are using. Visit Nulook Medspa, located in Toronto, today to get yourself TiZO3 Facial Mineral Sunscreen. During the month of July (2020) all sunscreen products are 20% off! If you have any questions, contact us today!