Have you heard all the furore about mineral based sunscreen and the benefits it offers in comparison to chemical sunscreens? Well, they’re all the rage right now, and so, the sunscreen-buying public has clearly seen something that they like about the product, but what is it exactly? That’s what we aim to provide an answer to in this article.
So, What is Mineral Based Sunscreen?
You’re probably already aware of regular sunscreens of the chemical variety that come in lotions and oils in the way we’re all familiar with. Mineral sunscreens differ because they’re not only thicker, but they work in a different way entirely.
Chemical brands convert UV light into heat, dissipating it from the skin’s surface, whereas ‘physical’ barrier sunscreens simply reflect them away as a mirror would. This shields the skin below to such a degree that a person is able to stay out in the sun many more times longer than they would otherwise be able to without sunscreen on.
So, What Are the Pros & Cons of Using a Physical Sunscreen?
Just like any other product, mineral based sunscreen has good points and bad, however, the former most certainly outnumber the latter, so let’s take a look, shall we?
The Pros of Mineral Sunscreen
First up, we look at the good points offered by mineral sunscreen, which are both varied and extensive. They include the following:
- Mineral sunscreen is way better for the environment than chemical sunscreen that’s known to be slowly destroying marine wildlife around the globe.
- As soon as you’ve applied a coat of mineral sunscreen, it’s working to protect you, so no having to wait 30 minutes to go out in the sun.
- It’s ideal for sensitive skin, as zinc oxide actively calms the skin
- It’s a non-comedogenic product too, meaning that it’s specially formulated to prevent clogged pores that lead to painful breakouts.
The Cons of Mineral Sunscreen
As great as mineral-based sunscreen is, it does have a couple of drawbacks, which include the following minor points:
- It may leave behind a white cast. That said, many modern brands offer a ‘Sheer’ product that goes on invisible. This can be really useful if you have a darker skin tone too.
- It can be tricky to apply if you’re used to chemical products – they are definitely thicker than chemical sunscreens, which can make it a little trick, at least at first.
Mineral Based Sunscreen Has More Ups Than Downs
We were really nitpicking in this article when it comes to the drawbacks of mineral sunscreen, but we still were only able to find 2 of them. Aside from a slightly whiter look and needing to know the knack of applying mineral sunscreen, there’s really nothing bad to be said about it.
The fact is that mineral sunscreen offers so many advantages for your skin that it really should be the go-to for anyone looking to enjoy the sun without paying a skin cost.
It works instantly, it supports the planet, and it’s perfect for sensitive skin. Honestly, what’s not to love? We’re struggling to think of anything!
