Why Mineral Sunscreen is the Best Choice

Posted by Team LATHER on

Male model applying sunscreen while gazing at the camera

Sunscreen is the one product that everyone needs in their daily regimen and is essential because it protects your skin from the sun’s harmful rays. When we created our Daily Defense Mineral SPF 50 Facial Sunscreen, there were a few non-negotiables. Let’s take a deep dive into what makes this product a must-have.

Mineral vs. Chemical

Truth be told, sun protection can be incredibly complicated. There are so many types out there, which sunscreen is the one for you? Mineral (or often referred to as physical) sunscreens are the active ingredients zinc oxide or titanium dioxide. They work by sitting on top of the skin and deflect damaging UV rays away from the skin. In contrast, chemical (synthetic) sunscreens absorb into the skin where they absorb UV rays, before they cause damage.

Broad-Spectrum Formula

A quick crash course: you should always make sure your sunscreen shields your skin from both UVA (the ones known to cause skin aging) and UVB rays (the ones that cause burning). Both of these types of rays can cause skin cancer, the most common cancer in the U.S. and worldwide. Because our product uses the mineral sunscreen zinc oxide, it’s naturally broad-spectrum so it’s guaranteed to provide protection from UVA and UVB rays. Chemical sunscreens do not always offer broad-spectrum coverage.

Model holding sunscreen against backdrop of clear blue water

SPF 50 Protection

How does SPF work? Let’s assume you typically start to redden after 10 minutes of sun exposure without sunscreen. Based on proper usage of an SPF 50 sunscreen, you can stay in the sun for 50 x 10 minutes = up to 500 minutes (~8 hours) before you start to burn. SPF 50 protection means it will take approximately 50 times longer for you to burn then if you weren’t wearing a sunscreen. Our sunscreen is water resistant, but you should reapply after 80 minutes of swimming or sweating.

Clean Ingredients

We did our research — zinc oxide is the active ingredient in our Daily Defense Mineral SPF 50 Facial Sunscreen. It’s considered non-sensitizing by experts in dermatology and compatible with sensitive skin. Zinc oxide can be whitening, so we tinted our sunscreen with natural mineral pigments to help offset this effect. We infused this formula with antioxidant-rich botanicals including green tea, olive leaf and rosemary extracts that naturally protect against free radical damage. Shea butter was added to moisturize and soften dry skin, while coconut oil locks in moisture to prevent dryness. In addition, a botanical blend of horsetail, horse chestnut and centella asiatica (aka gotu kola) extracts provides antioxidant protection and skin-calming properties.

Reef-Safe

Many popular sunscreen ingredients can be harmful to Mother Earth. Mineral sunscreens are reef-friendly sunscreen and typically formulated without chemical sunscreens such as oxybenzone and octinoxate, both have been shown to cause coral bleaching and harm marine life. These active ingredients have the potential to dramatically alter coral reef ecosystems. Organizations such as Save the Reef and The Surfrider Foundation recommend avoiding all chemical sunscreens and using only mineral based ones.

How To Apply

Our sunscreen has a lighter texture that goes on smooth with a matte finish. The tint goes on sheer so it blends into a range of different skin tones with minimal or no visible white cast. However, those with darker skin may need to apply a layer of makeup/foundation after sunscreen application for a perfect color match. Always keep in mind, mixing foundation with sunscreen dilutes the sunscreen and reduces the SPF.

For everyday use, simply apply small dots all over the face and neck, then rub in circular motions until absorbed. Ensure sunscreen is applied as the last step in your skincare routine – after your serum and moisturizer, and before makeup.

Sunscreen is the unsung hero of every skin care regimen — get sun smart with our new Daily Defense Mineral SPF 50 Facial Sunscreen.

References

Center for Biological Diversity. (2021, March 9). Hawai'i Senate Bill Bans Harmful Sunscreen Chemicals. [Press Release]. Retrieved from https://biologicaldiversity.org/w/news/press-releases/hawaii-senate-bill-bans-harmful-sunscreen-chemicals-2021-03-09/

Downs, C.A., et al. (2016). Toxicopathological Effects of the Sunscreen UV Filter, Oxybenzone (Benzopenone-3), on Coral Planulae and Cultured Primary Cells and Its Environmental Contamination in Hawaii and the U.S. Virgin Islands. Archives of Environmental Contamination and Toxicology, 70, 265-288.DOI 10.1007/s00244-015-0227-7

Plateroti Dermatology. (n.d.) The Benefits of Switching to a Sunscreen that Contains Zinc Oxide & Titanium Dioxide. Retreived from https://www.drplateroti.com/blog/the-benefits-of-switching-to-a-sunscreen-that-contains-zinc-oxide-titanium-dioxide

Saunders, N. (2021, May 26). 11 best mineral sunscreens of 2021, according to dermatologists. NBC News. Retreived from https://www.nbcnews.com/shopping/skin-care/best-mineral-sunscreens-n1267839

Plateroti Dermatology. (n.d.) The Benefits of Switching to a Sunscreen that Contains Zinc Oxide & Titanium Dioxide. Retreived from https://www.drplateroti.com/blog/the-benefits-of-switching-to-a-sunscreen-that-contains-zinc-oxide-titanium-dioxide

Articles contain quotes from board-certified dermatologists.