Mineral vs Chemical Sunscreens, What's the Difference & What is Safe for Us and the Environment?
With summer upon us, it is important to consider what you are using for a sunscreen and if you are using the best one for you! I am sure you know you should wear sunscreen daily, 365 days a year, no matter where you live, as light reflects off snow and can still cause damage to our skin, and YES you can still sometimes get a sunburn on a cloudy day! Heck, even our computer screens are causing premature aging from the blue lights, and just wearing a daily SPF will help block their harmful effects on our bodies!!!! For daily sunscreen I highly recommend Earth Harbor Naturals Eclipse SPF 15. It is light, blends in easily and has fabulous, all natural, clean and effective ingredients. But come summertime, our inner sun goddess often comes out. We find ourselves out in nature, working in the yard or enjoying time at the beach, and with added exposure to the sun, at its strongest time of the year, we may need more protection than our daily SPF provides. Another thing to consider is that there are several diseases and medications that can cause photosensitivity (sensitivity to the sun). Lupus, MS, eczema, rosacea, and psoriasis are a few diseases that can cause an increased sensitivity to sunlight. Some of the medicines that cause photosensitivity are: antibiotics, acne medicines, anti-depressants, allergy medications, and non steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. When we are on medications like this, or dealing with a health issue that causes additional sensitivity to the sun, we must avoid the sun, wear hats and protective clothing and use a good sunscreen for added protection. As a holistic esthetician, I am incredibly particular about what I put on my body and what I recommend to my clients. When it comes to the topic of sun care, many people think it doesn't matter if they use a chemical or mineral sunscreen, they think what matters is that they use a sunscreen to block those dangerous UV Rays and prevent cancer. But in addition to the difference in how chemical and mineral sunscreens work, there are dangerous effects to our bodies and the environment depending on what type of sunscreen you use. So let's dig into it, and find out more!
What is the difference of chemical and mineral sunscreens?
The main difference between mineral sunscreens and chemical sunscreens is how they handle the sun’s rays.
Mineral Sunscreens(or physical) sunscreens contain active ingredients which literally create a barrier on your skin that reflects UV light, thus they don't get absorb into the skin. The active ingredients in mineral sunscreens are either titanium dioxide and/or zinc oxide.
Chemical sunscreens absorb UV rays and then change their chemical structure to reduce sun damage. Most chemical sunscreens contain at least one of the following active ingredients: oxybenzone, octinoxate, avobenzone,oxybenzone, dioxybenzone, ensulizole, homosalate, meradimate, octisalate, octocrylene, padimate O, and sulisobenzone.
Health Concerns and Safety
Mineral sunscreens, literally sit on the skin, and do not penetrate the skin. While it has been found that most of the chemicals in chemical sunscreens are absorbed through the skin and go into the blood stream. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has found via some recent studies, that several chemical sunscreens could be detected on the skin and in the blood weeks after they had last been used. When it comes to safety, 63% of ingredients in the most popular sunscreens, are classified as dangerous for human health and/or the environment! There are only 11 cosmetic ingredients banned by the FDA in the United States, while there are over 1,300 banned ingredients in Europe, because they have been linked to health hazards or potential damage to the environment. There is increasing scientific evidence showing that conventional sunscreens contain endocrine disrupting ingredients. Endocrine Disrupting chemicals are human-made chemicals that mimic, block, or interfere with the body’s hormones, which are part of our endocrine system. In doing so, it wreaks havoc on our hormonal systems, which in turn effects the health of many systems in our bodies (Because they are all related). Some terrible side effects which have been found to come from endocrine disruptors are: developmental malformations, reproductive health issues, increased cancer risk and negative effects to the immune and nervous system. Growing scientific evidence also shows that humans, domestic animals, fish and wildlife species, have exhibited adverse health consequences from exposure to endocrine disruptors.
Luckily with growing public knowledge of the effects of chemicals on our health and wellness, the FDA is re-examining its safety standards. In 2021, the Food and Drug Administration, proposed its most recent updates to sunscreen regulations. It found that only two ingredients, zinc oxide and titanium dioxide, could be classified as safe and effective, based on the currently available information. The other 12 active sunscreen ingredients : avobenzone, cinoxate, dioxybenzone, ensulizole, homosalate, meradimate, octinoxate, octisalate, octocrylene, oxybenzone, padimate O, and sulisobenzone. (All the Active Chemical Sunscreens) were found to not be recognized as safe and effective due to health concerns. The FDA has required additional safety data because of health concerns and studies by the agency that show these ingredients can be absorbed through the skin and may cause endocrine disrupting effects on our bodies as well as the environment.
Reef Safety
Scientists have found that an estimated 14,000 tons of sunscreen is deposited into oceans and reefs every year! That is 28,000,000 lbs of chemicals in our oceans!!!! Oxybenzone and octinoxate are the most popular chemicals found in non-reef safe sunscreens and they are also the most potent killers of our coral reefs. Marine Sanctuaries are home to some of the ocean’s most biologically diverse and significant marine life. It is critical that we ensure that these areas are protected from harmful chemicals. To keep our oceans happy and healthy, the key is to find an SPF that uses physical UVA and UVB filters! All chemical sunscreens have been connected to coral reef deterioration! Look for the term reef safe! This means that the sunscreen contains only mineral UV-blocking ingredients like zinc oxide and titanium dioxide, Both nano particle (a smaller particle size) and traditional zinc oxide sunscreens are both safe and effective, and both are considered safe for reefs. The only difference is the cosmetic feel on the skin.
Learn More About Reef Safety: https://savethereef.org
Picking the Sun Care Products & Practices that are Best for You!!!
As you can tell, I am a mineral sunscreen kind of girl! All other sunscreens cause too much potential damage to our bodies and our world. When I think of sun care, I think it is more than just SPF, you must also remember:
Slip, Slop, Slap - Slip on a shirt (or protective clothing)
Slop on some SPF
Slap on a hat (With a big brim!)
This was a slogan from a commercial back in 1980... you might remember it... Its a catchy little song that I still sing to myself all the time!!!!
Not all mineral sunscreens are good, in fact many are very hard to use. They do not spread on easily, they often do not blend into the skin easily, leaving a white tint to the skin. Plus they can often feel thick and yucky on the skin.
My two favorite sunscreens are:
Earth Harbor Natural's Eclipse - SPF 15, this is great for a daily sunscreen for the face and hand. It is nano particle zinc oxide. It has clean beautiful ingredients, works great, goes on easily and you really only need a tiny amount and you are easily covered! Earth Harbor Natural products are all natural, non-toxic, plant based therapeutic ingredients, cruelty free, vegan formula, ethically traded, sustainably sourced and produced, zero-waste & 100% recyclable/reusable plastic-negative packaging with reclaimed ocean plastic, carbon negative offset, artisan small batches, woman owned and Reef Safe!!! What is not to love?
DoTERRA took years to develop and perfect this incredible collection of products, and it does not disappoint!
All the sun protection products in this line are formulated with non-nano zinc oxide, (easily blends into any skin shade!) they are packed with powerful plant-based ingredients like aloe vera and vitamin E and an incredible blend of CPTG® essential oils, including Carrot Seed, including Frankincense, Helichrysum, Magnolia, Ylang Ylang and Red Mandarin, that nourish and protect the skin, and they provides water-resistant sun protection for up to 80 minutes. They are all formulated free of: oxybenzone, parabens and phthalate. They are vegan-friendly, reef-safe and cruelty-free. DoTERRA also has an intense focus on providing sustainably sourced and produced products. This sun protection line delivers incredible benefits to your skin. It is nourishing, hydrating and protecting.
doTERRA sun Face + Body Mineral Sunscreen Lotion (SPF 30)This lotion is lightweight and easy to use. It applies like a commercial, chemical sunscreen, but is completely 100% non toxic, mineral based! It feels great, applies easily, has a light feel on the skin and a beautiful aroma of natural oils.
The stick delivers incredible benefits to your skin, so it looks and feel beautiful and youthful. It nourishes and hydrates your skin with rich and luxurious shea butter, cocoa butter and vitamin E as well as a blend of CPTG® essential oils to soothe and protect the skin. I love this for my face! It is great protection, blends easily. It does have a slightly thicker feel on the skin because of the shea and cocoa butter.
doTERRA sun Body Mineral Sunscreen Spray (SPF 30) Is fantastic!!! I love this one because it is a spray cream. So it is easy to apply but you do still have to rub it in, so a little goes a long way. It is light, easy to use and offers great protection!
The final piece to the doTERRA sun collection is an amazing after sun spray that helps rejuvenate and nourish skin!
doTERRA sun After Sun Restorative Body Spray delivers incredible benefits to your skin so it looks and feels fabulous! The power of this spray is rooted in plant-based ingredients like Japanese green tea, hyaluronic acid, and a blend of CPTG® essential oils, including Copaiba, Lavender, Peppermint, Helichrysum, and Frankincense to calm and soothe the skin. The spray provides soothing nourishment and restorative moisture to weathered skin. Personally this has become my post shower moisturizer! I love it! My skin looks and feels great.
I hope this article helps you rethink sunscreens, the kinds you use and why!
Natural mineral based sunscreens are best for my natural beauties health and wellness. as well as the natural beauty of our environment! Protect yourself from the sun, while avoiding harmful chemicals. You do not need them to be safe!