You only really get one chance at having young-looking skin, as once it has gone…it’s gone. That’s why choosing the right sun protection is vital, as sun damage is the leading cause of skin ageing. When searching for the right product to keep you looking youthful, it’s important to know what the main products give you. Our focus for this blog is to look at the pros and cons of mineral sunscreen for face.
Also commonly referred to as ‘physical sunscreens’, mineral brands are popular with customers due to the immediate protection they give you against UV rays. The question is – how good are they really? What do they offer – the good and the bad? Keep reading to find out.
We’ll start with the many pros on offer.
The Pros of Mineral Sunscreen for Face
There’s a wealth of benefits on offer for anyone using mineral sunscreen for face, with the first being broad-spectrum protection. Believe it or not, not all chemical sunscreens protect you against both UVA and UVB rays – which means that your skin is left exposed. UVA rays penetrate deep into the skin – something that can lead to premature ageing – and you’re at their mercy.
However, pretty much all mineral sunscreens offer broad-spectrum protection because of the zinc oxide they contain. Neither UVA nor UVB rays are able to get past the barrier they provide.
Great For Sensitive Skin
Another major benefit, particularly for your face, is just how gentle mineral brands are. They’re great for the more sensitive skin on your face, especially as they don’t tend to contain any ingredients that can cause irritation or allergic reactions – unlike chemical sunscreen.
Immediate Protection
Chemical sunscreens require about 20 minutes to become effective, but sunscreens protect the skin as soon as they are applied. If you don’t have time to wait around for your sunscreen to become absorbed, mineral products are great – as they don’t need to seep into the skin. They work straight away, which is great for those who lead busy lives.
The Cons of Mineral-Based Face Sunscreen
We want to be balanced in our analysis of mineral sunscreen, so the only way to do that is to mention a con or two. There are some, but they are pretty minor in the grand scheme of things.
White Cast
A common drawback people sometimes complain about with mineral sunscreens is their tendency to leave a white cast on the skin, especially in formulas containing a high concentration of zinc oxide or titanium dioxide. That said, there are newer formulations that don’t suffer from this problem now.
Thickness & Application
Mineral sunscreens can be thicker and more challenging to spread evenly on the skin compared to chemical sunscreens. This can make the application more time-consuming and may also affect how makeup sits on the skin.
Higher Cost
High-quality mineral sunscreens can be more expensive than their chemical counterparts, primarily due to the cost of ingredients and formulation challenges. However, you get to feel the difference that extra money you’ve spent brings, as you’re much more likely to end a day in the sun comfortable and happy.
Everything Considered – Mineral Sunscreen for Face Wins Out
In conclusion, mineral sunscreens offer a number of advantages, particularly for those with sensitive skin. The potential downsides, such as the white cast and application challenges, may influence your choice, but we feel that these are minor points when compared to the drawbacks that chemical brands bring. Your choice, however, is your choice.
As with any skincare product, it’s essential to choose a formulation that suits your skin type, preferences, and lifestyle, but we’d be surprised if you didn’t love what mineral face sunscreen gives you.
