Mineral vs. Chemical
Sunscreen
Mineral Sunscreen vs. Chemical Sunscreen
Many people believe that they only need to apply sunscreen when spending time outside in the sun, yet this couldn’t be further from the truth. UV-rays are present year-round and can even affect skin by passing through a person's car or office windows. With damaging effects such as premature aging, dark spots, and uneven skin tone, everyone needs SPF—no matter their skin tone.
There are a lot of sunscreens available these days, but many of them fall into one of two main categories: mineral sunscreen and chemical sunscreen. Each has its pros and cons, so many are often wondering which one is best for their individual needs, as well as how these two products differ from one another.
Without further ado, here’s all there is to know about chemical versus mineral sunscreen.
What Is Mineral Sunscreen?
Mineral sunscreen—or physical sunscreen, as it’s often referred to—contains active ingredients like zinc oxide or titanium dioxide. It is made up of small mineral particles, hence its name.
Despite being a highly effective form of sunblock, mineral sunscreen only accounts for a small portion of sunscreen products on the market, particularly in the U.S. In recent years, mineral sunscreen has been growing in popularity, particularly in response to the ban of some chemical sunscreen ingredients in regions such as Hawaii.
When it comes to mineral sunscreens, Shiseido finds that two of the most common questions are, “How long does mineral sunscreen last?” and “Are mineral sunscreens water-resistant?” Most mineral sunscreens are formulated to offer between 40 and 80 minutes of water resistance, so make sure to read the label for the specific recommendation. Depending on the amount of water resistance, mineral sunscreen will need to be reapplied after this period of time.
What Is Chemical Sunscreen?
Chemical sunscreens contain chemical filters that shield the skin from the sun's harmful UV radiation. Often, these include powerful and protective ingredients such as oxybenzone, avobenzone, octisalate, octocrylene, homosalate, or octinoxate. Most sunscreens available in the United States utilize chemical SPF ingredients.
They are particularly popular due to their ability to rub into the skin and provide an invisible, protective veil, unlike the chalkier finish of a mineral sunscreen. Additionally, chemical sunscreens last longer than their mineral counterparts and require less frequent reapplication—especially when swimming. As a result, chemical sunscreen is still the most popular form of sun protection on the market.
How Do Chemical and Mineral Sunscreens Work?
Despite both products being effective at protecting skin from the sun’s harmful UV rays, each works in different ways to achieve this.
The ingredients in chemical sunscreen work like a sponge, absorbing ultraviolet radiation before it can reach a person's skin. Not only do they take up the sun's rays, but these chemicals also turn those rays into heat, before releasing that heat through the skin.
Mineral sunscreen, on the other hand, creates a physical barrier that reflects UVA and UVB rays away from the skin. Rather than being absorbed into the skin, as with chemical sunscreen, mineral sunscreen sits on top of the skin to provide a physical barrier against exposure to the sun’s rays.
It's easy to establish the type of sunscreen by looking at its consistency and active ingredients list. Chemical sunscreens are usually more transparent and less thick in consistency, while mineral sunscreens will list zinc oxide and/or titanium dioxide on their packaging.
After over 100 years of research into UV protection, Shiseido has created sun protection that works in innovative ways never seen before. In 1980, Shiseido was the first company in Japan to display an SPF number on their sunscreen. Fast-forward to the present and most of Shiseido's sunscreen products now have the recommendation seal from the Skin Cancer Foundation. This means they meet stringent criteria for safe and effective sun protection that's trusted by consumers worldwide.
Another innovation of Shiseido is SynchoShieldTM. SynchoShieldTM builds on the popular WetForce technology with the addition of HeatForce to create a translucent and lightweight protective veil that’s strengthened by water and heat. HeatForce technology is activated on hot days, after the formula is applied to the skin, whereas the sunscreen’s WetForce capabilities begin once it senses water or perspiration on skin.
The Benefits of Mineral and Chemical Sunscreens
Both mineral and chemical sunscreens offer a wide range of benefits. To weigh up which product might be best for you, consider the following advantages.
Mineral Sunscreen
Benefits:
- Mineral sunscreens provide rapid protection, unlike chemical sunscreens, which normally take 20 to 30 minutes to soak into the skin.
- They can also be used over makeup and other skin-care products, as their protective sun barrier sits on top of the skin’s surface.
- Mineral sunscreens are gaining popularity due to their eco-friendly ingredients when compared to chemical sunscreens.
- Their concentration of mineral—as opposed to chemical—ingredients make them more suitable for those with sensitive or acne-prone skin, not to mention children.
Shiseido's popular mineral sunscreen product includes Urban Environment Oil-Free Mineral Sunscreen SPF 42.
Chemical Sunscreen
Benefits:
- Chemical sunscreens absorb with a rather transparent finish, making them perfect for everyday use.
- They are also particularly good for those with darker skin tones because of their lightweight, non-chalky finish.
- Chemical sunscreens last much longer on the skin than mineral sunscreen, with most products recommending reapplication every two hours—even when swimming.
When choosing a sunscreen, Shiseido recommends looking for a product that offers the best of both worlds. Ultimate Sun Protector Cream SPF 50+ Sunscreen, for example, is free of oxybenzone and octinoxate. It also features SynchroShield, an extra level of protection that’s powerful enough for days in the sun while remaining comfortable enough for regular wear. The lightweight, luxurious cream provides long-lasting coverage and hydration without leaving a greasy residue.
Urban Environment Fresh-Moisture Sunscreen SPF 42 is an ultra-hydrating, feather-light daily sunscreen for the face and body. It contains both mineral and chemical ingredients and, therefore, offers the advantages of a translucent, yet protective formula with the sun-shielding defense that zinc oxide provides.
Shiseido's range of innovative and powerful SPF formulas provide the right sun protection for every skin type.