With a plethora of brands and products out there that all claim to protect you from the sun, how do we make a conscious, informed choice when it comes to which product is right for you?
While most of us would go to the local shop and pick up whatever is on sale, it might be wise to double check what exactly you are buying.
Chemical vs Barrier Sunscreens
Sunscreens can be categorised into two groups; chemical and barrier sunscreens.
Chemical sunscreens contain chemical ultraviolet filters and are more commonly found in many popular brands’ sunscreens. They work by using specific UV filtering chemicals to prevent the absorption of harmful UV rays into your skin. While they do their job to protect you from the sun, recent studies have shown that certain chemical filters can have adverse effects in people affecting development and fertility.
UV filters have also been linked to breast cancer and endocrine disruptive effects.
Barrier sunscreens on the other hand contain zinc oxide or titanium oxide to provide a physical barrier against the harmful UV radiation with zinc oxide being the only one that provides effective protection from a broad spectrum of UV rays including UVA-1, UVA-2, UVB, and UVC. Zinc offers no side effects and has been proven to cause no dermatological harm is found in many wound healing ointments today.
Zinc is also an essential trace element for proper cellular function and bone formation. It is reef and ocean safe and is a vital micronutrient in the ocean.
So Which One Should You Choose?
Next time you’re shopping for sunscreen, check the label and look for zinc oxide sunscreens. Watch out for products containing chemical UV filters such as BP-3, Oxybenzone, avobenzone, octocrylene, homosalate, octisalate, and onctinoxate. Many of these chemicals have already been banned by the Food and Drug Association of America.
To learn more about our 100% organic zinc sunscreens, click here.
