Chemical vs. Physical Sunscreen
While I'm so happy that taking care of your skin is "in", I wish it would have been a more emphasized part of my skincare routine through my teens and early 20's. As someone with fair skin and lots of freckles, my parents always slathered me in sunscreen, however the second I hit my teens, all I wanted was to be tan. This came at any cost, including tanning beds, long beach days with no sunblock, and overall bad habits when it came to taking care of my skin.
Better late than never I guess, right?! Sunscreen is now a very important part of my skincare routine, and self tanner is my best friend.
In today's post, I want to break down the big different between chemical versus physical sunscreens, which is the better choice depending on your skin type, and a few of my personal favorite products!
*Post updated March 4, 2023
So What's the Difference?
Really simply put, chemical sunscreens are absorbed into the skin, which then absorb UV rays, convert them into heat and release them from the body. Physical sunscreens, on the other hand, contain mineral-based ingredients (ie: Zinc Oxide) and sit on top of your skin, reflecting UV rays.
Chemical Sunscreens...
- Tend do be thinner, spreading and absorbing more easily
- Need time to absorb, so it's best to wait 20 minutes before sun exposure
- Can sometimes bother sensitive skin in high SPF's, since more ingredients are used/needed in order to protect against UVA & UVB rays
- Can sometimes clog pores and bother acne-prone skin (keep in mind that chemical formulas have improved so much over the years and most are non-comedogenic)
Physical Sunscreens...
- Are thicker in nature and can sometimes leave a white cast on the skin
- Contain minerals that naturally reflect and protect against UVA & UVB rays
- Do not need time to absorb before sun exposure; they protect as soon as applied
- Tend to rub or sweat off easier than chemical sunscreen, and reapplication is important
- Are generally less likely to cause irritation or clog pores
Keywords to Look For
Chemical sunscreens are often referred to as organic sunscreens, while physical sunscreens are often referred to as mineral sunscreens (or even sometimes a sunblock).
It's also important to always look for a broad-spectrum sun product that protects against both UVA & UVB rays. All mineral sunscreens will offer broad spectrum protection, but not all chemical ones will. If you're buying a chemical sunscreen, keep an eye out for that keyword!
Chemical vs. Physical Sunscreen: Which is Better?
When it comes to chemical vs. physical sunscreen, I personally use both! The better choice for you really depends on your skin type. There is no clear winner, but there is definitely a better choice in certain scenarios.
When it comes to my skincare routine, I used to skip applying sunscreen because my CC Cream contains an SPF 50+ and I thought that was enough. I've since learned that unless you're applying a thiiiick layer of CC cream (which, who is these days?), you absolutely need a separate sun product. EltaMD's UV Clear Broad-Spectrum SPF is my current go-to. I love that it's derm-recommended, super lightweight and doesn't clog pores. Depending on what type of sunscreen you're using, make sure to keep in mind the correct order of application.
If you're using a chemical sunscreen, apply it before your moisturizer so it's able to penetrate the skin and do its job. If you apply it after moisturizer, it will hinder that absorption.
If you're using a physical sunscreen, apply it after your moisturizer so there's nothing sitting on top of it and blocking it from doing its job. If you apply it before moisturizer, you'll be creating a layer between sunscreen and UV rays.
Popular Choices
Elta MD (my personal pick) is the most-commonly recommended sunscreen by dermatologists. It's primarily a physical (sits on top of skin and reflects UV rays) that also contains some chemical ingredients, making it a bit of a hybrid. It has a top-notch ingredient list and came top-recommended by you, too!
Tula is another fan favorite. As a chemical sunscreen, it's important to apply this one before your moisturizer so it can correctly do its job!
Other favorite brands you sent in were Cerave (this was also very popular), Clinique Pep Start, Biossance, & Dr. Dennis Gross.
