Choosing the right sunscreen can feel like decoding gibberish at times. You may have heard dermatologists, family members, or friends sing the praises of sunscreens containing zinc oxide and titanium dioxide, but what makes those ingredients so important for sun protection?
Two naturally occurring minerals, zinc oxide and titanium dioxide lie on top of your skin to form a barrier and reflect the sun’s potent UVA and UVB rays. Physical sunscreen, sometimes referred to as mineral sunscreen, contains these minerals as its main active ingredients. Natural mineral sun care can be confusing, but worry not! We’re here to elucidate these crucial components. Continue reading to learn all there is to know about sunscreens containing zinc oxide and titanium dioxide.
What Is Titanium Dioxide And Zinc Oxide Sunscreen?
Mineral or physical sunscreen is just another name for such sunscreen that contains zinc oxide and titanium dioxide. As opposed to chemical sunblock, which features a number of chemical-based ingredients, these sunscreens mostly contain zinc oxide and titanium dioxide. Zinc oxide and titanium dioxide, when used in sunscreen, offer defence against harmful UVA and UVB rays.
Later in this guide, we’ll discuss each of these two naturally occurring ingredients in much more detail.
How Do Sunscreens With Titanium Dioxide And Zinc Oxide Work?
If you’re looking to buy a physical sunscreen, you’ve probably heard of zinc oxide and titanium dioxide—the two FDA-approved physical UV filters for sun protection.
Benefits Of Zinc Oxide
Zinc oxide is made from zinc, which is a naturally reflective substance. Here are a few of the advantages of using this physical sunscreen ingredient:
Nearly Invisible To The Naked Eye: To avoid the chalky, white appearance made famous by 1970s surf culture, zinc oxide is now shrunk down into very small particles known as nanoparticles. It’s been scaled down to between 30 and 200 nm, leaving a slightly opaque layer—a feature that makes it perfect for folks with lighter skin who want some coverage.
Antimicrobial: Antimicrobial properties can also help wounds heal faster, indicating that zinc oxide is safe to use on your skin.
Non-comedogenic: Another advantage of zinc oxide is that it is non-comedogenic. Simply put, it is oil-free and will not clog your pores.
Sun Protection: Perhaps the most appealing feature of zinc oxide is its ability to protect your skin from the sun. It is one of the most efficient sunblocks on the market, preventing both short and long UVA rays as well as all UVB rays.
Benefits Of Titanium Oxide
Titanium dioxide is made of, you guessed it, titanium. It is a natural mineral that is used in sunscreen and beauty products to brighten, thicken, and moisturise while also providing sun protection.
Nearly Invisible To The Naked Eye: It’s usually scaled down to a much smaller size, between 10 and 100 nanometers, making it less visible on the skin. Because it does not leave an impenetrable layer, it is an excellent sunscreen for darker skin.
Gentle On the Skin: Titanium dioxide is non-comedogenic and mild on the skin, just like zinc oxide. It’s exceedingly gentle, making it ideal for people with sensitive skin.
Should Your Sunscreen Have Both Zinc Oxide And Titanium Dioxide?
Both zinc oxide and titanium dioxide are quite good at protecting your skin from the sun when used separately in sunscreen. It’s crucial to remember, though, that titanium dioxide is more effective in blocking short-wavelength UVA and UVB rays than long-wavelength ones. While titanium dioxide makes the recipe light and effective at reducing excess oil, zinc oxide offers broad-spectrum UVA and UVB protection.
Therefore, it makes sense to choose a sunscreen with zinc oxide and titanium in order to benefit from both minerals and ensure optimal sun safety.
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It also acts as a good filter for your skin!
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