Sunscreen
Sunscreen is taking a fair bit of ‘heat’ at the moment, and rightfully so. It’s not clear from research, but it seems that until the 1970’s and 80’s, all Sunscreens were ‘Barrier’ as opposed to ‘Chemical’ sunscreens. For me, personally, chemicals entering my bloodstream is a ‘no no’, but if my aim is to protect my skin from the sun, then a proper ‘Barrier’ is going to win hands down! Have a read below and make your own decision…
1.Barrier (Mineral) Sunscreen
Barrier sunscreen is applied to the skin and creates a physical barrier between your skin and the sun by reflecting UV radiation away from the skin. This helps prevent skin damage including hyperpigmentation and wrinkles by completely blocking the UVA rays. Zinc Oxide containing sunscreens are preferable for people with acne prone or sensitive skin – and are gentle enough for children. The non-nano zinc oxide we use in our Sunscreen is marine safe!
The ‘cons’ to Barrier Sunscreen are that being a physical barrier, it can leave your skin quite ‘white’. They are also thicker and don’t spread as easily as their chemical counterparts.
2. Chemical Sunscreen
Chemical sunscreen contains chemical ingredients, which absorb into the skin – this in turn acts in the similar way to a sponge, by partially absorbing the UV rays and converting them into heat before releasing the heat from your skin. Because the sunscreen needs to absorb into the skin, protection is only evident about 20 minutes post application. It is thinner, more transparent and easier to apply than a Mineral/Barrier sunscreen.
Much of the debate about chemical sunscreens relates to the ingredients themselves. The chemicals that enable the product to absorb so well appear to be the ones that pose health concerns.
The chemicals include
oxybenzone, dioxybenzone, avobenzone, octocrylene, homosalate & octinoxate
In 2019, the FDA proposed rules and regulations with the intention of updating sunscreen requirements.
It has been stated that Zinc Oxide is a safe sunscreen ingredient!
They are still running investigations and have so far banned two chemical sunscreen ingredients:
• aminobenzoic acid (PABA)
• trolamine salicylate
A 2020 study found that 6 of 12 active ingredients currently under study by the FDA enter the bloodstream after just one application. These ingredients remain detectable in the blood and on the skin up to 3 weeks later — at concentrations passing the threshold where the FDA considered waiving additional safety trials.