What is the difference between mineral and chemical sunscreen?

But they're both sunscreen, aren't they the same?

Nope! They both protect the skin from the suns harsh UV rays, but they are vastly different! 

How do they work? 

Physical sunscreen works as a shield to block UV rays from your skin, blocking UVA/UVB rays. Chemical sunscreen works by allowing the skin to absorb the rays, converting the rays to heat, which your body releases. If you suffer from melasma, physical sunscreen is recommended to avoid the heat, since melasma can be exacerbated by heat. 

Who should use what and why?

Chemical sunscreens are great for darker skin tones (only if you don't suffer from melasma!) because it does not leave any whitecast or residue on the skin. Finding a tinted chemical sunscreen like LIRA’s Solar Shield Tint 30 is a great option for a no whitecast physical sunscreen! Another benefit to add with physical sunscreen is that it works immediately after it is placed on the skin, while chemical sunscreen takes about 20-30 minutes to absorb. Physical sunscreen will also be a better option if you are going to sweat, as it is not as irritating to the eyes. 

Chemical sunscreens are also harmful to coral reefs, which is why oxybenzone and octinoxate are banned in Hawaii and Aruba. Look for the following active ingredients when looking for a chemical sunscreen: avobenzone, octinoxate, oxybenzone. When looking for physical sunscreen, look for SPF that contains either zinc oxide or titanium oxide.

By DELANEY CHASE