Chemical vs Physical Sunscreen

1. jojoba March 16, 2009 5:57 pm

   which type do YOU use?

2. GHD March 16, 2009 7:52 pm

   I had NO idea about the free radicals. Oh no! Now I’m wondering – are average store brands (e.g. Coppertone, etc) considered physical or chemical?

3. Connie March 17, 2009 5:10 am

   I’m torn too. the sunscreen that I’m using now has a chemical sunscreen… *sighs* But I used to use a physical one and it’s soo thick…

4. beautifulwithbrains March 17, 2009 6:44 pm

   jojoba: I prefer physical sunscreen. I’m not fond of the fact their thicker and can leave like a white cast sometimes, but zinc oxide is said to be the best sunscreen ingredients as it protects against the whole spectrum of UVA and UVB rays. With chemical sunscreens you need to read the label very carefully as some ingredients only protects from UVB rays and other only from UVA rays. So you need to make sure it contains both types of ingredients to get a broad spectrum protection.

   GHD: Whether a sunscreen is chemical or physical depends on the ingredients, not on the brand. For example, sunscreens that contain titanium dioxide or zinc oxide are physical, while products that contain Mexoryl SX or Avobenzone are chemical. As far as I know most Coppertone sunscreens are not only chemical but also lack suffiecient UVA protection. But it depends on the product really. Copperton has a few chemical sunscreen protecting from both UVA and UVB rays.

   Connie: chemical sunscreen feel a lot better on the skin as they’re lighter. Just makes sure you use one that contains protection from both UVA and UVB rays as some don’t offer a broad spectrum protection as they claim.

5. Tine March 17, 2009 10:23 pm

   I use whichever that doesn’t have that strong sunscreeny smell :p

6. beautifulwithbrains March 18, 2009 9:45 pm

   I don’t like that smell either

7. Tina May 6, 2009 8:32 pm

   I use BestBloc organic sunscreen, it is a physical blocker with no residue and is unscented. Best I have ever used!

   http://bestonearthproducts.com/bestbloc_organic_sunscreen.php

8. beautifulwithbrains May 7, 2009 9:14 am

   Sounds like a good product, I’m glad it works well for you, Tina.

9. Tina May 7, 2009 6:36 pm

   Yes, it works great! Thanks Beautiful

   Tina

10. beautifulwithbrains May 8, 2009 8:49 am

    Good and you’re welcome, Tina

11. Penny June 26, 2009 3:05 pm

    Can you suggest a few examples of sunscreen brands that you consider safe. I am using at the moment Ombrelle Extreme 30, La Roche-Posay 60. Both appear to be a combination of physical and chemical. I am thinking of switching to a botanical product from the Arbonne Line.

    Also, what brand do you feel is safe for children. I often wonder if it is a good thing that we are slathering these young people with these lotions on a day to day basis.

12. beautifulwithbrains June 28, 2009 2:47 pm

    Hi Penny, the sunscreens you are using isn’t bad but personally I prefr other brands like Soleo Organics Sunscreen Organic chemical free sunscreen SPF 30+, Keys Soap Solar Rx Cosmetic Moisturizing Sunblock SPF 30 and Badger Sunscreen, SPF 30. They all use zinc oxide and are rated among the safest sunscreens by the Enviromental Working Group. You can see the whole list here if you are interested:
    http://www.cosmeticsdatabase.com/special/sunscreens2008/findyoursunscreen.php?&sunscreens=1&&start=0

    I think it is safer to apply sunscreen on kids as they sun rays can damage their skin too. California Baby and Truekid has some really good and safe sunscreens for children.

13. Nelly August 30, 2009 4:41 pm

    I’m concerned about the sun exposure I get while driving. I spend my work day indoors, so my morning sunscreen will not break down due to sun exposure (other than during my half hour morning commute). Is there a reason I should reapply sunscreen before I drive back or my morning application is still protecting me? I would rather avoid ruining my make-up.

    The tablespoon amount that you were mentioning above refers to the face only, doesn’t it?

    Also, you are saying “Just makes sure you use one that contains protection from both UVA and UVB rays as some don’t offer a broad spectrum protection as they claim.” If reading the label is not helping, then how?

    Thanks

14. beautifulwithbrains August 31, 2009 7:31 pm

    Nelly, sunscreen tends to rub off, especially if you’re sweating a little bit (it’s been very hot here this month and I’ve been sweating a bit indoors too even if I didn’t exercise or anything), so I would recommend reapplying it. If you don’t want to ruin your makeup, you can try to retouch it using cosmetics that contain SPF.

    Yes, one tablespoons refers to the face. For the entire body (if you’re going to the beach), the recommended amount is an ounce (30ml).

    Reading the label does help if you look at the ingredient list. The SPF rating only refers to the protection offered against UVB rays, so sometimes claims can be misleading. Look for sunscreens that contain Titanium Dioxide, Zinc Oxide, Avobenzone (butyl methoxydibenzoylmethane), Mexoryl and Tinosorb at the top of the ingrdient list. All of them protect against UVA rays. I like using sunscreens with Zinc Oxide as it protects from all UVA and UVB rays, or Titanium Dioxide, which protects fom all UVB and most UVA rays too. The others work well too if used with UVB-protecting ingredients.

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