Have you ever wondered about the difference between mineral (physical) and chemical sunscreen? Or what exactly is in your sunscreen? Same here!
In this article, we’ve broken down what you need to know about the two types of sunscreens so you can make an informed decision about which one is best for you and your skin.
The main difference between a physical sunscreen and a chemical sunscreen is that physical sunscreens works by acting as a reflective physical barrier to deflect UV rays. Chemical sunscreens, on the other hand, penetrate the epidermis and dermis. These chemical compounds function within the skin to absorb the UV rays.
In simple words, physical sunscreen acts as a shield for your skin, while chemical sunscreens work like sponges to soak up UVA (aging) and UVB (burning) rays.
Physical sunscreens are usually made out of natural ingredients such as Zinc, it is naturally broad-spectrum and protect against both UVA and UVB rays in one formulation. They are naturally better at protecting against harmful rays and can have a lasting effect once applied. Sunnyo's Fam Bam Sunscreen contains the main active mineral ingredient non-nano Zinc.
Chemical sunscreens work by absorbing UV radiation before it penetrates your skin, which turns it into heat energy. Sometimes chemicals in sunscreen can cause allergic reactions or irritation. Chemical sunscreen is made up of a combination of ingredients such as octocrylene, butyl methoxydibenzoylmethane, phenylbenzimadazole sulfonic acid & more.