As we spend more time outside this summer, you may be wondering how to protect yourself from the sun’s harmful UV rays and reduce your risk of developing skin cancer.
Some cancer treatments can also make you more sensitive to the sun, so you want to make sure you’re getting the right protection. Finding shade is the most effective way to avoid sun exposure, but when you can’t avoid it, there are ways to protect yourself.
When choosing a sunscreen, you will see many terms, such as physical, mineral, and chemical. But what do these terms mean? And how do these sunscreens work to protect you from the sun’s harmful rays?
Dermatologist Anisha Patel, MD, explains.
The mineral sunscreen reflects UV rays
The main difference between mineral (or physical) sunscreens and chemical sunscreens is how they manage the sun’s rays. The active ingredients in mineral sunscreens are titanium dioxide and zinc oxide, which create a barrier to the skin that reflects UV light. They are not absorbed into the skin.
If you take a flash photo of someone wearing mineral sunscreen, you can even see the flash reflected in the product on your skin, says Patel.
“Mineral sunscreens offer maximum protection because they literally create a physical separation between you and the sun,” he notes.
You will recognize mineral sunscreens for their calcareous and white appearance and touch. This aspect also helps to serve as a reminder of when you should reapply.
“With physical blockers, if you can still see it, it still works,” Patel says. These products should be reapplied approximately every two hours, especially if you have been swimming or sweating.
If you don’t like the look of traditional mineral sunscreen, you can choose a tinted option. These offer the same mineral protection with a little color, so they blend more naturally, regardless of your skin tone.
The chemical sunscreen absorbs UV rays
Most people don’t like the thick texture of mineral sunscreens, so they opt for chemical versions, even though they are not as effective.
Chemical sunscreens absorb UV rays by changing their chemical structure to reduce sun damage. Most chemical sunscreens contain at least one of the following active ingredients: oxybenzone, octinoxate, cinoxate, dioxibenzone, ensulizole, homosalate, meradimate, octisalate, octocrylene, padimat O, sulisobenzone, and avobenzone. They come in both cream and spray form.
Chemical sunscreens wear out faster and must be reapplied every two hours. And while aerosol sunscreens may be more convenient, it’s easier to lose stains on your skin with aerosols than with sunscreen creams.
“If you’re swimming or in a humid climate like Houston, you’ll need to reapply even more often, as sweat and water wash out chemical sunscreens more quickly,” says Patel.
Hybrid sunscreens offer mineral protection with a finer formula
Hybrid sunscreens have a combination of active ingredients that include mineral and chemical compounds, allowing for a finer formulation that rubs in better.
With these types of sunscreens, you will still want to read the label to make sure you apply them properly for maximum protection.
UPF clothes create physical defense
Some types of clothing and hats may offer more protection from the sun. These have an “ultraviolet protection factor” or UPF on the label.
Sunscreen clothing can be chemically treated or created with tighter fabric materials to block the sun. “You’ll want to look for darker colors or a tighter fabric on your clothes for maximum protection,” says Patel. Long-sleeved shirts, pants and hats with wide visors are a good idea to avoid the sun.
Over time, chemically treated UPF clothing may lose its protective factor, so you should read the labels and replace these items as recommended to avoid burning.
Whether you choose mineral, chemical, or physical sunscreen, Patel says the important thing is to be safe from the sun. Choose a sunscreen with an SPF of 30 or higher. “Even if it’s not the perfect sunscreen,” he says, “it’s better to wear something than anything.”
Request an appointment at MD Anderson online or by calling 1-877-632-6789.