Chemical Sunscreen vs Mineral Sunscreen

I know it’s a little late into the season to be talking about sunscreen, but I’ve been learning a lot and wanted to share. Watching someone I love battle melanoma has been one of the hardest things I’ve gone through and one of the most eye-opening experiences. At a recent appointment at The James Cancer Hospital, I learned how to choose a sunscreen that will give you the best protection against the sun’s UV rays. 

There are two types of sunscreens, chemical and mineral. Chemical sunscreens work like a sponge and absorb the sun’s rays. Mineral sunscreens sit on your skin and act like a shield against the suns rays. Chemical sunscreens will contain one or more of these ingredients, oxybenzone, avobenzone, octisalate, octocrylene, homosalate, or octinoxate. This type of sunscreen is easier to apply and absorbs into your skin, but are potentially harmful. Mineral sunscreens contain the active ingredients titanium dioxide, zinc oxide, or both and tend to be thicker. If a mineral sunscreen is broad spectrum, it can reduce skin cancer and decrease early skin aging, without the risk that chemical sunscreens pose. Three things you want your mineral sunscreen to say are, Broad Spectrum, water resistant and SPF 30 or higher. https://www.aad.org/public/spot-skin-cancer is a great resource.

I am happy to trade the easy application of chemical sunscreen for the benefits of mineral sunscreen. Sure, you might have sunscreen left on your hands after you apply, but it’s totally worth the inconvenience for the protection it provides. 

This has been my second summer using Young Living’s Mineral Sunscreen Lotion and can say that it’s provided great protection for me and my family. It’s Broad Spectrum, water resistant, SPF 50 and contains the active ingredient zinc oxide. 

I know we can’t completely protect ourselves from melanoma and sometimes even people who are extremely cautious end up with it, but I wanted to share the information I’ve learned in hopes that it will help someone. Even if you don’t use Young Living’s sunscreen, find a mineral sunscreen that meets the recommendations mentioned above. If you’re interested in ordering Young Living’s mineral sunscreen or have any questions, please contact me below.  Shop Sunscreen

Grab a floppy sun hat, sunglasses and mineral sunscreen and enjoy what’s left of summer! 

Disclaimer:

*I am not a doctor. I am not here to diagnose, treat, or cure any illness. The content I cover is for informational purposes only.