What’s the difference?
You might be wondering why we have two different sunscreen moisturizers in our skin care line. Well, our esthetician Dana Murray helps us figure out which daily sunscreen moisturizer might be best for your skin.
Regardless of whether it’s Mineral or Non-Mineral, choosing a daily moisturizer with SPF is vital for helping keep skin protected from the dangers of skin cancer and premature skin aging. It also helps combine two important skin care steps into one by providing our skin with daily hydration along with Broad Spectrum protection. Choosing the “best” option varies for everyone, and I am here to help explain how!
Mineral Sunscreen Moisturizer
Mineral sunscreens use physical active ingredients (Zinc Oxide and/or Titanium Dioxide) to create a sunscreen barrier on the skin that blocks UV rays by absorbing and reflecting them away from the skin (absorbs approx ~90%+ of UV rays, reflects ~5%+).
Have you ever seen an old movie and a lifeguard was at the beach or pool with a thick glob of white on their nose? That, my friends, is good old zinc oxide. While it is very effective, it hasn’t always made for the best look. Luckily, technology has come a long way in the last few years. We now have the capabilities to make cosmetically minded sunscreens.
Mineral sunscreens tend to be best for sensitive types since it doesn't fully absorb into the skin.
Our Daily Mineral Sunscreen Moisturizer SPF 30 is fragrance-free and has a tint made with all skin tones in mind to help to minimize any ghosting on the skin. The formula contains an antioxidant-rich blend including Banana extract, Wild Rosella extract and Niacinamide, which are known to help protect against daily skin stressors, like blue light and free radicals. Recent research indicates that mineral sunscreens are particularly beneficial for people with hyperpigmentation like melasma, sunspots, and freckles. The reason is that heat from the sun is a trigger for hyperpigmentation, and since mineral sunscreen bounces UV rays off instead of absorbing them, it doesn't convert as much heat within the skin.
Non-Mineral Sunscreen Moisturizer
Non-Mineral (also called “synthetic”) sunscreens use non-physical active ingredients (Homosalate, Octocrylene, Octisalate, Avobenzone) to absorb UV rays by converting them into heat and sending them right back out to where they came from (absorbs approx ~95%+ of UV rays).
Since non-mineral sunscreens don't contain any mineral ingredients, they rub into the skin easily and rub in clear. This can make them an excellent option for all different skin tones. Non-mineral options are also known to be lightweight and non-greasy—just like our Daily Sunscreen Moisturizer SPF 30. This stuff is a dream to apply, smells like summer®), and helps keep skin hydrated, nourished and refreshed for up to 24 hours.
So, What’s The “Best” Choice?
As an esthetician, I am asked this question quite often, and my answer is that the “best” sunscreen is the one you enjoy wearing, because it really comes down to personal preference. Just make sure you are wearing Broad Spectrum protection daily!