So, you need to make a decision about which sunscreen you’re going to buy for your face. You’ve looked online and my gosh, there are a lot of options to choose from. However, you’ve managed to grasp that there are two types available; mineral and chemical sunscreen, but you can’t decide between them. Don’t worry though, as here we give you some pointers as to the difference between the best mineral sunscreen for face and chemical sunscreen products.
Whichever way you look at the subject, you need to choose one or the other, as not wearing sunscreen isn’t really an option, so let’s dive in and look at the facts.
Chemical Products vs the Best Mineral Sunscreen for Face
When you compare the best mineral sunscreen for face against its chemical counterparts, it becomes clear which comes out on top. We start by examining how gentle each one is on the skin.
Skin Gentleness
Mineral face sunscreens are made with super-gentle compounds like zinc oxide and titanium dioxide, whereas chemical products – as their name suggests – contain not-so-gentle chemicals. Oxybenzone and octinoxate are just two of them and they can irritate the skin, which can be a particular problem should you have sensitive skin issues.
Something else that makes mineral products more gentle than chemical ones is that they don’t need to be absorbed. Unlike chemical brands that must penetrate the skin to provide UV protection, mineral products sit on top of the skin, acting as a barrier. This fact alone makes them far more skin-friendly.
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How Fast Does Each Protect?
Another major benefit of using mineral face sunscreen is that it works immediately. This is because of the lack of need for absorption. Chemical brands, on the other hand, usually require around 20 minutes to become effective. If you need to leave home in a hurry, you’ll be glad you’re using a mineral product.
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How Likely Is Each to Cause Breakouts?
If you’ve got an acne-prone complexion, you have to think about whether the sunscreen you use is going to give you more breakouts. So, how does each fare in this regard? Well, as we already know, mineral sunscreens are very gentle and are typically non-comedogenic, making them great for people with problems like these.
However, the same can’t be said for chemical brands. Not only do they often contain pore-clogging ingredients, but the fact they also have to be absorbed means zits are more likely.
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How Eco-Friendly Is Each?
Modern consumers are far more savvy and eco-conscious than they’ve ever been before, so the environmental-friendliness of products matters these days. Again, it’s mineral products that come out on top in this regard, as zinc oxide is a naturally occurring compound that is benign in terms of its impact on the planet. However, for chemical brands, it’s not so rosy.
The chemicals in chemical sunscreens are bad for the environment, particularly when talking about coral reefs. They’ve been found to be bleaching them, risking their future. If you’re eco-aware, there really is only one choice here.
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The Best Mineral Sunscreen for Face Wins Every Time
Whichever metric you use, it’s mineral face sunscreen that has the upper hand over chemical brands. It works immediately after application, it’s eco-friendly, it’s gentle on your skin and it’s much less likely to cause you problems with zits. Add in the fact that it tends to be more stable in direct sunlight and always offers broad spectrum protection, and choosing between the two becomes easy.