Every year, new wellness, fitness, and beauty trends emerge. Mineral sunscreens have gained popularity in recent years, and as summer approaches, ads for these sunscreens will flood your social media feeds. The FDA is working to regulate the sunscreen market and identify potentially harmful ingredients in sunscreens. Sunscreens are divided into two classes: chemical and physical, based on how they work. Chemical sunscreens absorb UV light, while physical sunscreens act as a shield, deflecting the sun’s rays. Common chemical sunscreen ingredients include oxybenzone and avobenzone, while physical sunscreens contain zinc oxide or titanium dioxide.
There is concern about the absorption of chemical sunscreen ingredients into the body, although no harmful effects have been proven. The FDA is gathering safety data on sunscreen ingredients and has proposed labeling two ingredients as not generally recognized as safe and effective: para-aminobenzoic acid and trolamine salicylate. Despite this, wearing sunscreen is still recommended to protect the skin from sun damage and reduce the risk of skin cancer. Mineral and chemical sunscreens are both effective in protecting the skin, and the known benefits of sunscreen outweigh any theoretical risks of absorption.
When choosing a sunscreen, look for broad-spectrum protection with a sun protection factor (SPF) of 30 or higher. Broad-spectrum sunscreens protect against UVA and UVB rays, while SPF 30 blocks 97% of UV light. It is recommended to reapply sunscreen throughout the day for maximum efficacy. While more expensive sunscreens may feel better on the skin, they are not necessarily more effective in protecting against harmful UV rays. Ultimately, wearing any kind of sunscreen or protective clothing when out in the sun is important for maintaining skin health and reducing the risk of sun damage.
Mineral and chemical sunscreens have different mechanisms of action, but both are effective in protecting the skin from UV damage. The absorption of chemical sunscreen ingredients into the body is a topic of concern, but further research is needed to determine any potential health effects. The FDA is working to gather more safety data on sunscreen ingredients, and while certain ingredients have been proposed as not generally recognized as safe and effective, sunscreen use is still recommended for skin protection. Regardless of the type of sunscreen used, the key is to protect the skin from harmful UV rays with broad-spectrum protection and regular reapplication.
