A Woman’s Guide to Mineral and Chemical Sunscreens

Getting ready for sunny Iowa days means stocking your bag with essentials: a wide-brimmed hat, a reusable water bottle, and of course, sunscreen! But when you're standing in the store aisle, have you ever found yourself wondering, "What is the best sunscreen?" With so many options and terms like "natural," "broad-spectrum," and "reef-safe," it can feel a little overwhelming.

At Gabrielson Clinic for Women, we believe in empowering you with clear, simple information to make the best choices for your health. Let's break down the differences between natural sunscreens (mineral) and chemical sunscreens and explore which might be the healthier choice for you, especially as a woman.

Mineral Vs. Chemical Sunscreen: How They Protect Your Skin

While both mineral and chemical sunscreens aim to protect you from the sun's harmful ultraviolet (UV) rays, they do so in fundamentally different ways.

Mineral Sunscreen: Your Skin's Physical Shield

Think of mineral sunscreens as a physical barrier for your skin. They sit on the surface, creating a shield that reflects and scatters UV rays away. The active ingredients you'll find in mineral sunscreens are:

• Zinc oxide: Often seen as a thick white cream, but modern formulations have made it much more blendable.
• Titanium dioxide: Another mineral that provides excellent UV protection.

These ingredients work immediately upon application, so you don't have to wait before heading outdoors. Mineral sunscreens are often recommended for those with sensitive skin or acne-prone skin because they are less likely to cause irritation or lead to clogged pores. They are also generally preferred for children.

However, mineral sunscreens can sometimes have a thicker texture and may leave a white cast on the skin, especially on darker skin tones. Though many newer formulas are designed to minimize this effect.

Chemical Sunscreen: Absorbing the Rays

Chemical sunscreens, on the other hand, work by absorbing UV rays as they penetrate your skin. Once absorbed, the chemical compounds convert these rays into heat, which is then released from your skin. Common active ingredients in chemical sunscreens include:

• Avobenzone
• Oxybenzone
• Octinoxate
• Homosalate
• Octisalate
• Octocrylene

Chemical sunscreens are generally lighter in texture and blend in transparently without leaving a white residue, making them easy to apply. They also often come in water-resistant formulations, which can be a plus for swimming or sweating.

The main drawback is that chemical sunscreens typically need about 20 minutes to be absorbed into your skin before they become effective, so you need to apply them in advance of sun exposure. They can also sometimes cause allergic reactions or irritation, and some ingredients can sting if they get into your eyes.

Which One Is Healthier, Especially for Women?

This is where the conversation gets a bit more nuanced. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has recognized only two sunscreen ingredients as "generally recognized as safe and effective" (GRASE) based on current available information: zinc oxide and titanium dioxide – the two active ingredients in mineral sunscreens.

The FDA has requested more safety data on 12 other ingredients commonly found in chemical sunscreens. This doesn't mean these ingredients are unsafe, but rather that there's currently insufficient data to definitively classify them as GRASE.

Here's a closer look at some of the concerns raised about certain chemical sunscreen ingredients:

Absorption into the Body

Studies have shown that several chemical sunscreen ingredients, including oxybenzone, homosalate, octisalate, octocrylene, avobenzone, and octinoxate, can be absorbed into the bloodstream at levels above what the FDA considers a safe threshold. These ingredients can even be detected on the skin and in the blood weeks after their last use. Some studies have also found them in breast milk and urine. While more research is needed to understand the long-term effects of this absorption, it's a factor to consider.

Potential Hormone Disruption

Mounting evidence suggests that some chemical sunscreen ingredients, particularly oxybenzone and octinoxate, may have endocrine-disrupting effects. This means they could potentially interfere with your body's hormone system. This is a particular concern for women, as hormone balance plays a crucial role in reproductive health, thyroid function, and overall well-being. Other ingredients like homosalate, avobenzone, and octocrylene also have some limited evidence of endocrine-disrupting potential.

For example, the European Commission, a regulatory body in the EU, has already lowered the allowable concentrations of oxybenzone and homosalate in certain sunscreens due to safety concerns. In contrast, the U.S. currently allows higher concentrations of these ingredients.

Allergic Reactions and Other Concerns

Some chemical sunscreen ingredients, like octinoxate and avobenzone's breakdown products, have been linked to allergic skin reactions. Additionally, octocrylene can sometimes be contaminated with benzophenone, a known carcinogen, and benzophenone levels can increase as octocrylene breaks down over time in products.

Environmental Impact

It's also worth noting that ingredients like oxybenzone and octinoxate have been linked to harmful effects on marine life, particularly coral reefs. This has led some places, like Hawaii, to ban sunscreens containing these ingredients.

What Does This Mean for You?

Considering the current information, mineral sunscreens (those with zinc oxide and titanium dioxide as active ingredients) are generally considered the healthier choice, especially for women. They work by creating a physical barrier on your skin, are less likely to irritate, and their active ingredients are not significantly absorbed into the bloodstream.

However, the most important thing is to use sunscreen regularly to protect yourself from the sun's harmful UV rays, which are a primary cause of skin cancer, including melanoma. Some sunscreen is always better than no sunscreen!

Tips for Choosing the Best Sunscreen for You:

• Look for "Broad-Spectrum": This means the sunscreen protects against both UVA (aging) and UVB (burning) rays.
• Aim for SPF 30 or Higher: This provides excellent protection.
• Consider Your Lifestyle: If you're swimming or sweating, opt for a water-resistant formula.
• Read the Ingredients List: Prioritize sunscreens with zinc oxide and titanium dioxide.
• Patch Test: If you have sensitive skin, try a small amount of new sunscreen on a discreet area before applying it all over.

Ultimately, the best sunscreen is the one you will use consistently. If you have concerns about specific ingredients or your skin's reaction to sunscreen, don't hesitate to talk to your healthcare provider or a dermatologist here at The Gabrielson Clinic for Women. We're here to help you make informed decisions for your health and well-being.

Do you have any questions about specific sunscreen ingredients or how to best protect your skin from the sun? Request an appointment. We're here to help!