Chemical vs. Mineral Sunscreen

In the summer months, many pay closer attention to their sunscreen application—but sunscreen is for everyone, at every time of year.

More than just a skincare product, sunscreen is an important protector from the sun’s harmful rays. Whether you’re on a vacation or taking a walk around the block, knowing how to protect yourself can help you relax and enjoy the sunlight without fearing for your skin.

But what product is best for you? With so many variables in sunscreen, it’s easy to get overwhelmed trying to make the healthiest choice. We’re simplifying this process for you with some quick and easy explanations.

Chemical and Mineral Sunscreen: What’s the Difference?

Chemical and mineral sunscreens contain a different set of ingredients. Chemical sunscreen often contains avobenzone, octinoxate and oxybenzone, whereas mineral sunscreens contain titanium dioxide or zinc oxide. You can check the list under “active ingredients” on your sunscreens at home to see which kind of sunscreen you currently own.

Which Type is Best?

Your dermatologist might recommend mineral sunscreens for people with more sensitive skin. There are also sunscreens that are a hybrid between chemical and mineral sunscreens, containing ingredients from both.

Regardless of the type of sunscreen you use, they all absorb (or, in the case of mineral sunscreen, reflect) the sun’s rays on the surface of your skin, effectively protecting you from UVB rays.

Sunscreen is for Adults and Kids

Parents with children under six months are encouraged to keep their children out of the sun. Use shade and adequate sun protective clothing (with the label UPF) as much as possible. When that is not possible, parents might apply a minimal amount of sunscreen to their little one—preferably mineral sunscreen with broad-spectrum protection, water resistance and SPF 30 or higher. Best practice is to wash the sunscreen off of babies once they are inside.

For older children, the use of sunscreen is highly encouraged, as well as shade and adequate clothing. Because sprays are easier to apply to children’s skin, sometimes those are preferred by parents.

Other Considerations

No sunscreen blocks 100% of the sun’s UVB rays, and no sunscreen is truly waterproof or sweatproof.

Sunscreens with an SPF of at least 30 block 97% of UVB rays. While higher SPFs might block slightly more, reapplication every two hours is important regardless of the SPF.

Some sunscreens are water or sweat resistant, but sunscreen manufacturers cannot say that their product is “waterproof.” Reapplication after swimming or sweating is crucial.

Your Texas Tech Physicians dermatologist can help you decide the best sunscreen for you and your loved ones, but ultimately, protecting your skin is vitally important despite the season or temperature. You can make an appointment with your dermatologist today on the Texas Tech Physicians webpage to ask questions and find out more.

To ensure accurate and reliable information, this post was thoughtfully reviewed and co-written by Cameron West, MD.