It will not be wrong to define sunscreen as one of the essential steps of the skincare routine. Sunscreen protects your skin from sunburns and skin damage. Also, the ozone layer is diminishing, which means our skin is at higher risk to the sun’s UVB rays exposure. Ultraviolet rays are the most common reason for premature ageing, skin discolouration, sunspots, fine lines and wrinkles. Apply sunscreen just 30 minutes before stepping out can help you avoid the mentioned skin issues!
What is SPF?
SPF means Sun Protection Factor. It is a number that indicates how much longer it takes for the untanned skin to redden. It shows how well your skin is protected against sunburn. It is best to use sunscreen ranging between SPF 30 to SPF 50.
So, which sunscreen is best to use?
The one made only with minerals like Zinc Oxide/Titanium Dioxide and did not contain the most commonly used chemical sun filters.
Let us understand why?
There are two kinds of sun filters used in sunscreens.
Let us understand why?
There are two kinds of sun filters used in sunscreens.
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Chemical or Organic based sun filters like Homosalate, Octinoxate, Octocrylene, Avobenzone, Oxybenzone & Benzonephenone work by absorbing harmful sun rays.
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Physical or Mineral or Inorganic sun filters like Zinc Oxide and Titanium Dioxide work by reflecting the sun rays.
So basically, either by absorbing or reflecting, these sun filters protect skin from harmful UVA/UVB rays. Both methods are equally competent in terms of sun protection, so choosing any sunscreen with sufficient SPF rating and PA+++ is reasonably ok.
But, there are few other important aspects of sun protection apart from just effective UVA/UVB filtration.
Those are absorption, pore blockage & skin sensitivity
Chemical sunscreens can penetrate the skin, which is undesirable and may be difficult to tolerate for sensitive skin. In contrast, mineral sunscreens do not penetrate the skin and can even calm down skin sensitivity. So, Mineral-based sunscreens are any day a better option than chemical-based sunscreens.
However, there is a slight caution.
Mineral sunscreens are like natural white clay. When applied to the skin, they may leave a white patch on the skin, which is undesirable in terms of look. To prevent this, many formulators have started using nano-sized Zinc Oxide and Titanium Dioxide, which do not leave a white patch, but as they are tiny in size, they may cause pore blockage.
Can’t we prepare a sunscreen made only with mineral sun filters yet not block pores or leave a white patch on the skin?
It’s possible. There are quite a few sunscreens on the market, including Natural Mineral sunscreen from Brillare, which is made only with 100% natural, non-nano sun filters so that the white patch formation on the skin is reduced to a minimum.
It’s possible. There are quite a few sunscreens on the market, including Natural Mineral sunscreen from Brillare, which is made only with 100% natural, non-nano sun filters so that the white patch formation on the skin is reduced to a minimum.
We are not saying that Brillare Natural Mineral sunscreen is the only option. There are quite a few good sunscreens available on the market made without chemicals or nano-sized mineral sun filters. Just read the ingredient list carefully and then make a conscious purchase decision to make sun filtration a super healthy experience for your precious skin.