THE CONS: believe it or not there are some. Due to the fact they’re often lighter, they are preferred for oily skin types. THE PROS: The main one, you don’t end up like Casper… and they’re generally easier to apply. Note – there are some hybrid formulas out there on the market which contain both physical and chemical. As a rule of thumb, If it contains anything more than zinc oxide or titanium dioxide it’s a chemical sunscreen. If you’re looking at the ingredient list in your sunscreen and thinking what they hell is this, physical or chemical…. Common ingredients in chemical sunscreens are oxybenzone, dioxybenzone, octocrylene, homosalate, avobenzone, octinoxate and other chemicals, which absorb into the skin and release it from damaging UV rays. Unlike physical sunscreens that sit on the surface of the skin, chemical sunscreens absorb into the skin and form a chemical reaction which then helps to prevent UV damage. Thankfully, in recent years advancements in technology and tinted formulas have led to the consumer having more and more options that don’t necessarily make you look like a walking ghost. Whilst they are generally recognised as safe, effective and more reliable for blocking UV light, they are thicker and more difficult to apply. No real talk… most often physical sunscreens get the complaint that the ingredient’s leave a white, ghost like (Casper) cast on the person applying the sunscreen. THE CONS: The most common one? Casper the ghost…. If your skin is sensitive, this should also be your go to.

It starts working right away, unlike chemical sunscreen, which can take up to half an hour to give you effective sun protection. It’s also a great option for those who need to just quickly, slap on some sunscreen and get out the door. This is especially the case for children and pregnant woman. This is because it sits on top of the skin rather than being absorbed into it. THE PROS: Generally, physical sunscreen or mineral sunscreen is seen as a safer option. If you don’t see any other active ingredients on your sunscreen other than titanium dioxide or zinc oxide, then it is a mineral sunscreen. The reason they are sometimes referred to as mineral is because they are formulated with mineral based ingredients zinc oxide and titanium dioxide which are really good at reflecting and scattering the harmful rays from the sun. Physical sunscreens (mineral) are called physical, because there literally form a physical barrier that sits on your skin and deflects the sun’s harmful UV rays to prevent your skin burning. Hopefully this will make your sunscreen shopping far easier in the future. This starts with understanding the difference between the two main types of sunscreen, chemical and physical – otherwise known as mineral.īelow we break down what exactly chemical and physical sunscreens are, what each type does best and how they work. Nonetheless, choosing the right sunscreen for you doesn’t have to be an ordeal, if you know what to look for and how to shop smarter. Let’s face it, no one wants to use a sunscreen that makes them look like Casper the ghost! We are all different and all have different skins that react differently to different products. It can be a real trial finding which one’s best work for you. There are so many sunscreen options out there on the market it can often be a minefield to understand exactly which ones you should be using and what the difference is between all of them.

Physical v chemical sunscreen