Now why is this important?
Physical sunscreens have several advantages over chemical ones:
Unlike chemical sunscreens, physical sunscreens do not penetrate deep into the skin, therefore there is little risk of it being absorbed into the blood and lead to potential health problems. EWG has determined some problematic chemical sunscreen filters such as oxybenzone, homosalate and octocrylene.
Physical sunscreens have a lower risk of skin sensitivity. In fact, it is known that they are better for people with heat activated skin, people with sensitive skin and also have lower chances of triggering skin sensitivities in people with normal skin.
Offer Broad spectrum protection – UVA and UVB rays.
Are reef safe, meaning coral reefs do not get harmed by them.
Safer for use on children and do not cause that dreaded stinging of the eyes.
Are less likely to lead to pore clogging and very suitable for acne prone skin types.
And there is a reason zinc oxide is used in diaper cream! It soothes irritated skin.
While the science of chemical vs physical still needs more research, what is irrefutable is that, one needs to wear sunscreen as an everyday staple. Reapply every 3 hours or immediately after a swim. Always reading the ingredient list, looking for the actual filters and doing background research is important. Ultimately the choice of your go-to sunscreen is down to personal preference. The point is, do use one.
PRO TIP: Boost your sunscreen action by using a high-performance vitamin C serum!
