Despite there being a gazillion skin care products on the market, there’s one dermatologists, skin experts and beauty junkies unanimously rave about – sunscreen. We all know we should use it. Preferably every single day.
Now the conversation is shifting to what type of sun protection we should be slathering on our limbs now the mercury’s rising.
More and more skin care brands are releasing physical sunscreens (they’re called this because they physically block UV rays – reflecting them off the skin).
Look, there’s nothing wrong with using your regular chemical versions (that rely on a range of chemicals to absorb or scatter UV rays) but there are growing concerns some of the filters they contain could generate free radicals (which aren’t good for your skin or your overall health) or potentially disrupt hormones.
Looking to try something new, I decided to give physical sunscreen a go. I’m sold. If you’re politely nodding yet secretly thinking ‘would someone please explain the actual differences between chemical and physical sunscreen?’, here’s what you need to know.
Chemical sunscreen.
How it works: By either scattering or absorbing the sun’s rays. To do this, they rely on chemicals like Octylcrylene, Avobenzone, Octinoxate, Octisalate, OxyBenzone and Homosalate.
How to use it: If you’re wearing it on your face (if you’re not you should be!) put it on first, before moisturiser and makeup. It takes 20 minutes before your skin is protected, so factor this in before heading outdoors. Chemical sunscreens are basically invisible once applied which makes them pretty damn easy to use on a day-to-day basis.
Top Comments
The quote from Kosmea's Marie Jenkins is interesting because Zotheysay's Zoe Foster said the same thing word-for-word - but Zoe wrote it in August 2013.
So did your quote really come from Kosmea? Or ripped off from Zotheysay?
Isn't this the same subject you ridiculed Pete Evans about?!
haha I was going to say the same thing! but you get quite a few contradictory articles on mamamia
No, it isn't at all. He was criticised for claiming regular sunscreen contains 'poisonous chemicals' (untrue), for not using sun protection at all unless he was spending significant periods in the sun (not a good idea, you don't need to burn to do damage to your skin), and for claiming his year-round tan protects him (at best a tan has an SPF4 level of protection). As below;
"The silly thing is people put on normal chemical sunscreen then lay out in the sun for hours on end and think that they are safe because they have covered themselves in poisonous chemicals, which is a recipe for disaster as we are witnessing these days.
"We need to respect the sun but not hide from it either as it is so beneficial for us, but use common sense. The goal is always never to burn yourself."
The My Kitchen Rules judge told his 1.5 million fans he generally does not use any sun protection, as he keeps a year-round tan and doesn't stay out for "super long periods in the sun". (He says when he is in the sun for longer, he uses a product called "Surf Mud".)
While it's not all his usual junk, there's still some ignorant and possibly dangerous things being said there. Choose whichever sun protection you like, but make sure you use it.
I would hazard a guess that there are contradictory articles on MM because there are quite a few different contributors/writers, who, quite possibly have differing opinions on the same subjects.