When it's time to choose a sunscreen, many people only look at whether the protection factor is 20, 30, or 50. Others consider whether the texture is fluid or denser. But if you want to go a step further, it's key to know if you're using a sunscreen with a physical filter or a chemical filter. Don't know the differences? We'll tell you about them in this blog post
Physical filter or chemical filter: what's the difference?
You've probably heard about physical or chemical sunscreens at some point, but you might not know how they differ. Let's break it down and start with the origin of their raw materials.
- Chemical filters are composed of synthetic organic compounds derived from petroleum. They usually consist of Oxybenzone, Cinnamates, Camphor, BAPA, Benzophenones, and these can be, like other cosmetic ingredients, endocrine disruptors and are more likely to cause allergies.
- Meanwhile, physical filters are natural mineral particles such as zinc oxide or titanium dioxide, primarily. And always, of course, without nanoparticles. These are natural substances that generally do not cause allergies in those who use them.
Why choose a sunscreen with a physical filter?
In addition to the above, physical and chemical sunscreens also differ in:
Chemical filters penetrate the skin, physical ones do not. The greatest convenience of chemical sunscreen is that it's very easy to spread and absorbs very quickly, but it penetrates our skin. In other words, if we previously mentioned that chemical sunscreens contain substances that can be harmful to our health and the skin absorbs them. Do you see the problem?
Physical filters, on the other hand, DO NOT penetrate our skin. They act like a shield. When sun rays hit them, they are reflected by the sunscreen itself. This is wonderful because, while they are beneficial for the body, our body does not absorb any substances from them. However, if you've never used a sunscreen with physical filters before, it might take a little getting used to at first: it's more unctuous and harder to spread, but it's well worth it!
Similarly, a sunscreen with chemical filters should be applied about 30 minutes before sun exposure. Keep in mind that it needs to travel further than a physical sunscreen. And if we put it a bit colloquially, the process that a chemical filter undergoes is to transform ultraviolet radiation into heat energy.
Did you know that chemical filters are harmful to coral?
In addition to harming your health, chemical filters also affect marine flora and fauna. We have read alarming figures stating that there are up to 14,000 tons of sunscreen and sun products in our oceans and reefs.
Various studies, aiming to preserve global ecology, warn that certain ingredients are harmful to the health of our seas, oceans, and all their inhabitants. These ingredients correspond to the chemical sunscreens we mentioned earlier. To give you some headlines: "Oxybenzone bleaches coral and slows the growth of young coral." And to such an extent is this true that in some parts of the world, the sale of sunscreens has even been banned.
Similarly, other studies have analyzed the effects that chemical sunscreens have on fish living in our seas and oceans and have observed various anomalies and that, even, the excess of substances affects their own hormonal systems.
Where to buy a sunscreen with a physical filter?
We highly recommend Maminat's Facial and Body Sunscreen with a protection factor of 50, which will protect you from UVB and UVA rays. It includes a physical sun filter and is suitable for all ages.
You avoid allergies, you protect reefs, oceans, you apply it, and it works instantly. Sometimes it's worth paying more and knowing that what you're buying is an investment in health for the short, medium, and long term.
Common questions about physical sunscreens
If you're making the switch from chemical to physical sunscreens, you'll probably have the following questions:
Can I use it on my six-month-old baby?
Of course! And let us tell you that they will always recommend using sunscreens with a physical sun filter. There must be a reason, right?
I started using one, but it leaves my skin very white. Will the same happen with yours?
It's true that sunscreens with physical sun filters are harder to spread, which is why when we developed Maminat's, we worked on the formula with plant pigments to avoid that 'white effect'. You'll soon see that it has a brownish color, not white.
I'm afraid it won't be as good. Are you sure I won't get burned?
We guarantee it 100%. You should apply it approximately every two hours, and you won't get burned.
