I have talked about skin care before for older adults, and I have told people to wear sunscreen multiple times. But you may have noticed a rise in mineral sunscreens the last couple of years. I thought I would do a sunscreen comparison the two so you can decide for yourself which one fits your needs. Of course I am talking about broad categories here, and while I may be mentioning some sunscreens here, this is not a comparison of different sunscreens directly. I also have sensitive, dry skin so something may react differently on my skin than yours if we have different skin types.
Chemical Sunscreens
These are more “typical” sunscreens, they work by chemically protecting your skin from the sun. Chemical sunscreens absorb the UV rays instead of your skin. They often do not have what is called a “white cast,” meaning they are transparent. People with deeper skin tones may prefer this option because the white cast on mineral sunscreens can change the appearance of their skin tone. According to the Cleveland Clinic, chemical sunscreen is also more water resistant than mineral sunscreens, meaning that if you’re going to the pool, this may be a great option for you. The negatives are that you have to wait for it to be fully absorbed before you go outside in the sun, and you are more likely to be sensitive to or allergic to chemical sunscreen.
Mineral Sunscreens
Mineral sunscreens have certain advantages as well. They physically block out UV rays by sitting on top of the skin. They are slightly more effective than chemical sunscreens. It may be less likely to cause an allergic reaction or irritate sensitive skin. If you are taking a cruise and you need reef-safe sunscreens, you are going to look for a mineral sunscreen. You also don’t have to wait for it to absorb, however, since it is thicker than chemical sunscreens, it takes a while to rub in. You’re going to look for a more transparent sunscreen to avoid this and the crazy white cast. I like the Alba Botanica SPF 50 face sunscreen for this.
I hope you enjoyed the sunscreen comparison, because I think both have their own uses and I am happy to own both. Which ones do you use? Which ones are your favorite?
Written by Brigid Stakelum
