The Best Benefits of Mineral Sunscreen You Need To Know
I’m excited to share all the benefits of mineral sunscreen! We always hear how important it is to protect our skin from the sun, but you may not know the best types of sunscreen to use and why you should use them.
If you want to protect your skin against those harmful UV rays, think about grabbing that mineral sunscreen! In my opinion, mineral sunscreens are a better option compared to chemical sunscreens.
Let’s talk about mineral sunscreen and its benefits for our skin, health, and the environment!
What is Mineral Sunscreen?
Mineral sunscreen is a specific type of sunscreen that uses mineral ingredients like titanium dioxide and zinc oxide to form a protective layer on the skin that reflects and scatters UV rays rather than absorbing them like chemical sunscreens.
What is the difference between mineral and chemical sunscreen?
While chemical sunscreen is absorbed into the skin, that is not the case for mineral sunscreens. Chemical sunscreens actually cause your pores to be blocked and are not good for acne-prone skin. Chemical sunscreen ingredients are not as natural, for the most part, as mineral sunscreen ingredients.
With chemical sunscreen, the sun rays will actually be absorbed. Sunscreen with mineral ingredients reflects the sun’s UV rays and they are a lot lighter on the skin.
Benefits of Mineral Sunscreen
Overall, mineral sunscreen is better for your skin and health. Here are the benefits of using mineral sunscreen:
All Natural
A huge benefit to mineral sunscreen is the ingredients used. Titanium dioxide and zinc oxide are all natural and are non-irritating to protect the skin.
Won’t Clog Pores
Mineral sunscreen is non-comedogenic, which is a term used to describe products that are specifically designed to not clog pores. This type of product is typically used in skin care products, such as moisturizers, cleansers, and makeup, to make sure that the product won’t cause breakouts or irritation.
Great for sensitive skin
Since mineral sunscreen doesn’t contain harsh chemicals, it is great for sensitive or acne-prone skin.
Eco Friendly
Mineral sunscreens are more eco-friendly than chemical sunscreens as they don’t contain any potentially harmful chemicals.
Provide broad spectrum protection
Mineral sunscreens provide broad spectrum protection and are better at protecting from both UVA and UVB rays.
Popular Mineral Sunscreen Brands
La Roche-Posay Anthelios Mineral Ultra-Light Fluid Broad Spectrum SPF 50
This sunscreen is oil free and safe for sensitive skin. It will leave your skin very soft and non-greasy.
Coppertone Pure & Simple Sunscreen Lotion SPF 50
Coppertone mineral sunscreen lotion is hypoallergenic, fragrance free and water resistant. It is a great option to protect your skin against UV radiation as it is a naturally based sunscreen made with Zinc Oxide and full of nourishing extracts like tea leaf, sea kelp, and lotus.
Blue Lizard Australian Sunscreen, Sensitive SPF 30+
Not only is this sunscreen water resistant and fragrance free, it also protects our reefs by not using Oxybenzone or Octinoxate in the formula. Your skin will be protected against the UV light because there are no active chemical ingredients.
CeraVe 100% Mineral Sunscreen SPF 50
This 100% mineral sunscreen is oil, fragrance and oxybenzone free. It is a physical sunscreen that helps protect the skin against UVA and UVB rays as it contains physical filters Zinc Oxide and Titanium Dioxide.
What I love about CeraVe mineral sunscreen is that it also contains ceramides, which are great for helping the skin retain moisture. It also contains niacinamide to help soothe redness. If you have sensitive skin, this would be a great pick for you!
Sun Bum Mineral Sunscreen Lotion SPF 30
Sun Bum sunscreen is also a great option because it is vegan, cruelty free, hypoallergenic and safe for our reefs. It is a zinc-based, mineral sunscreen that sits on top of your face to protect your skin (a white tint is normal, that is how you know it is working)!
Neutrogena Ultra Sheer Dry Touch SPF 50 Mineral Sunscreen Stick for Sensitive Skin
If you prefer a stick sunscreen, this one would be great for you! It is vegan and is formulated with zinc oxide and vitamin E to provide a broad spectrum protection against UVA and UVB rays. This helps to protect the skin and fight against skin aging like fine lines, wrinkles and dark spots.
Pipette Mineral Sunscreen – SPF 50 Broad Spectrum Baby Sunblock
Do you have little ones at home and want a safe mineral sunscreen option for them as well?
This lightweight, fast-absorbing and non-sticky formula is great for your baby’s delicate skin as it is hypoallergenic, free of synthetic fragrances, vegan and cruelty-free. It provides not only UVA protection but also UVB protection as it is a broad spectrum, zinc oxide sunscreen.
Babyganics SPF 50 Baby Sunscreen Lotion UVA UVB Protection
Another great option for your young children is Babyganics sunscreen that is made with minerals and has zinc oxide and titanium dioxide in the active ingredients. It is board-certified dermatologist and pediatrician approved and it is also non-allergenic.
You can feel confident applying this to the surface of the skin because it is tear-free and free of parabens, phthalates and fragrances.
Babo Botanicals Baby Skin Mineral Sunscreen Lotion SPF 50 Broad Spectrum
Similar to the other baby sunscreens listed above, this one is also fragrance free and hypoallergenic which helps to reduce the risk of an allergic reaction and skin irritation. It is great for babies because it has no harsh chemicals and it is gluten, dairy, peanut, almond and walnut free.
This sunscreen will help protect your baby’s skin from the UVA and UVB rays as it is oxybenzone and octinoxate free. It is water and sweat resistant so your baby or toddler can enjoy up to 80 minutes of fun in the sun with this lightweight, fast-absorbing sunscreen!
All Good Sport Mineral Sunscreen Lotion
If you want a great water and sweat-resistant mineral sunscreen, this one would be great because it won’t run into your eyes.
It is a broad-spectrum sunscreen and like others above, is safe for our coral reefs! When you are trying to choose between different sunscreens, what is better than one that takes our marine life into consideration?
The good news is, not only is it safe for the reefs, it is a great option for you as well!
There are no harmful ingredients, in fact, it is full of natural ingredients such as shea butter, rose hips, green tea, coconut oil, jojoba oil, and other ingredients that repair skin that may be damaged from sun and wind burn.
It is easy to blend, non-greasy, hydrating, and great for your skin! With this sunscreen, you will be getting UVA and UVB protection and your face will be getting hydrated at the same time.
How to Use Mineral Sunscreens
Mineral sunscreen is great for your skin, but only if you use it correctly. Follow these steps for applying mineral sunscreen.
Step 1: Make sure your skin is clean
Applying sunscreen to clean skin allows it to be evenly distributed, ensuring that all exposed areas are adequately protected.
Step 2: Apply a thin layer to your exposed skin
Apply your mineral sunscreen as the last step in your skincare routine, even after your moisturizer, to get the full effects before you go out and get sun exposure. If you are wearing makeup, you can use the powdered form of mineral sunscreen and apply it right over your makeup.
Step 3: Reapply as needed
The best practice for reapplying mineral sunscreen is to apply every two hours or after swimming or sweating.
Why Mineral Sunscreen Should Be Part of Your Daily Routine
With skin cancer being one of the most common cancers, it is very important to protect your skin against the sun’s rays the best you can so you can avoid sun damage.
Make sure that you apply your sunscreen 15 minutes prior to going into the sun so it allows it to set in and prepare to protect your skin!
Reaping the Benefits of Mineral Sunscreen
If you are planning to go outside or will have UV exposure, your best bet for daily sun protection would be mineral sunscreen. You want to be sure you are choosing a sunscreen that will give you protection and not cause a reaction on your skin’s surface.
If you have skin conditions or sensitive skin in general, there are a ton of great options out there for mineral sunscreen.
You can confidently provide your whole family with immediate protection from the sun’s harmful rays and reduce the chances of getting sun spots or other damage to your skin.
If you’re going to have long-term exposure to the sun, make sure you follow the instructions for the specific sunscreen you choose to ensure you and your family are reapplying the sunscreen as directed.
FAQs
Do dermatologists recommend mineral or chemical sunscreen?
This depends on the dermatologist. Some recommend natural, mineral sunscreen, some believe chemical sunscreen works better, and some dermatologists recommend a combination of both mineral and chemical sunscreen for optimal protection from ultraviolet (UV) radiation.
What are the disadvantages of mineral sunscreen?
Some people don’t like the white cast that mineral sunscreen leaves on the skin. It also typically needs to be reapplied more often than chemical sunscreen.
Why is mineral sunscreen better for the ocean?
Mineral sunscreens are better for the ocean because they contain only natural minerals such as zinc oxide and titanium dioxide, which are not harmful to aquatic life.
They are better for the ocean than chemical sunscreens, which contain synthetic chemicals like oxybenzone and octinoxate, which can be toxic to ocean life.
Does mineral sunscreen prevent aging?
Yes, mineral sunscreen can help prevent aging. Mineral sunscreens block both UVA and UVB rays from the sun. UVA rays are known to cause wrinkles and other signs of aging, so by using a mineral sunscreen, you can help protect your skin from premature signs of aging.
