Every season brings about changes to beauty, wellness, and fitness trends. This summer, there has been a lot of talk about nonsurgical facelifts, lip flips, and sunscreens.

For the last several years, mineral sunscreens have been growing in popularity. What are the differences between mineral and chemical sunscreens? And what makes mineral sunscreens a more popular choice? While both are very effective at protecting your skin, the way they do it is very different.

Mineral sunscreen is known as the physical sunscreen because it forms a barrier on top of the skin that helps to reflect UV rays. You can think of these minerals as millions of tiny mirrors, resting on the surface of your skin, bouncing harmful UV rays away. If you have sensitive skin, or you are concerned about the ingredients, mineral sunscreen is the right choice for you!

Chemical sunscreen acts more like a sponge, absorbing the UV rays. Chemical sunscreen is easier to apply because of its chemical makeup, and it is less likely to leave white residue behind. However, the list of ingredients is long and the safety of them, and how much of these ingredients ends up being absorbed by your body, is up for debate.  

Regardless of which type you choose, you want to be sure to pick one that is broad spectrum. This means that it will protect your skin against UVB and UVA rays.

Buying a higher-quality sunscreen ensures that the product will feel better and not leave behind a white residue. Not sure where to start? We have some amazing choices on our Skin Shop by SkinMedica, Skinbetter Science and ZO Skin Health, or stop by the spa and get a one-on-one consult about which sunscreen is best for you.

We are happy to answer any questions you may have!