Sunblock vs Sunscreen: What's the Difference and Which is Better?
Sunblock vs Sunscreen? Many people mix up sunblock and sunscreen all the time. You have to get a little more specific about the two to understand each one. There is a big difference when you are talking about chemical sunscreen versus physical sunscreen, which is also called “sunblock.” A chemical sunscreen can’t be called a sunblock, and we’re going to go into why there should be a distinction between the two. Let’s look at some of the differences between a chemical sunscreen and a physical sunscreen or sunblock, so you know which one is right for you.
A Chemical Sunscreen’s Ingredients
The way that a chemical sunscreen works is by being topically applied to the skin. It then has the ability to absorb the UV rays of the sun. Some of the ingredients in chemical sunscreens include oxybenzone, octinoxate, and avobenzone.
The problem is that these formulas have a tendency or potential to be absorbed into the bloodstream, because they are made with penetration enhancing ingredients. They may be harmful to the lungs or other organs. Plus, they aren’t a good idea for pregnant or nursing mothers, since the chemicals have been known to show up in breast milk.
These groups of chemical sunscreen ingredients are also known as endocrine disruptors, which can potentially lead to certain cancers developing or other health issues. The fact of the matter is they just aren’t as safe as physical sunscreens or sunblocks that do not contain these ingredients. That’s the bad news about chemical sunscreens.
A Physical Sunscreen or Sunblock’s Ingredients
Now on the other side of the sunscreen spectrum, you have physical sunscreens or sunblocks. These contain non nano zinc oxide and titanium dioxide as their main active ingredients. These are the only two sunscreen ingredients that the Food and Drug Administration has deemed to be safe and effective. Both of these don’t have particles that are small enough to be absorbed into the bloodstream through the skin.
They lay on top of the surface of the skin to block out the harmful UVA/UVB rays of the sun by providing a physical barrier of protection.
Our new Sdara Skincare Mineral Sunscreen is actually a physical sunscreen or sunblock. It contains SPF 30, is an ideal example of a clear zinc oxide sunscreen or sunblock. We spent years coming up with just the right formula that is safe and effective for everyone, including women who are pregnant or breastfeeding.
The Benefits of Our Mineral Sunscreen
Since our Mineral Sunscreen SPF 30 falls under the category of physical sunscreen or sunblock, you’ll be happy to know it has so many benefits over a chemical sunscreen. For one thing it doesn’t contain oxybenzone or any of those other harmful ingredients, like octinoxate and avobenzone.
It’s also considered “reef-safe” since the ingredients in our sunscreen won’t harm the coral reefs by bleaching them and injuring the wildlife that lives in this amazing ecosystem. The environmental impact of bad beauty products is something that we definitely didn’t want to be a part of. That’s also why our packaging is industrial compostable and the sunscreen tube itself is made of sugarcane, which is a bioplastic tube. It will break down and is considered a green option in beauty packaging.
Another benefit to our micronized Zinc Oxide Sunscreen SPF 30, is that it’s pregnancy-safe. Use it from head to toe each day to protect yourself without the harsh chemicals of other sunscreens while you are expecting and after.
There is also no artificial fragrance in our sunscreen. As a fragrance-free product, it’s much better for those with allergies or asthma conditions to use. You just don’t really need added chemical fragrance to be a proper physical sunscreen or sunblock. The fewer chemicals you introduce to your body, the better. It’s also a hypoallergenic sunscreen, which means that it’s less likely to cause any type of skin reaction, such as irritation or redness.
So Which is Better?
The choice is clear. When you are choosing between sunblock vs sunscreen you should consider using our mineral based sunscreen. A physical sunscreen or sunblock is simply better for so many reasons. It’s the clear winner in the battle sunblock vs sunscreen.
It also has skin-loving ingredients that hydrate and nourish. Some of those include oils like sesame, sweet almond, sunflower, and cocoa butter. Even though these oils are supremely hydrating, they also feel weightless and light on the skin in this sheer sunscreen formula.
One of the best benefits of this sunscreen is how weightless and non-greasy it feels on the skin. No one wants a sticky or goopy sunscreen. The feel of the product is one of the reasons that people didn’t love to wear old school sunscreens. They just felt too heavy and gross on the skin. Now that’s all changed with our lightweight mineral sunscreen.
There is also aloe vera gel and green tea extract to improve the look of your skin. The green tea extract especially is a potent antioxidant that will act as an anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial on the skin. Your skin will look and feel better each time you use this sunscreen that is so much more than just a physical sunblock. It’s extra loving care for your skin, and we’re so happy to introduce it to the family of Sdara Skincare’s line of exceptional beauty products.
