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Mineral sunscreen education. What everyone should know before buying one.
More and more people these days are turning to more natural alternatives when it comes to skin care. And that includes sunscreens/sunblocks/moisturizers with sunscreen. However some people feel disappointed that mineral based sun protection products containing Zinc Oxide and Titanium Dioxide tend to leave white cast on their skin. This is why I feel that it is necessary to educate people about their healthy choices when it comes to sunscreens and what to expect while using them.
What are those mysterious Titanium Dioxide and Zinc Oxide?
Titanium Dioxide or TiO2 is a white powder in texture and used as colorant and sun protective agent. It is a physical sun blocking agent that work primarily by reflecting/absorbing ultraviolet light, hence not penetrating the skin. It blocks UVB and short UVA (320-340 nm, a.k.a UVA-2). Titanium dioxide is less effective against long UVA (340-400 nm, a.k.a UVA-1).
Titanium dioxide has a long history of safe use as a sun block and cosmetic ingredient. It is not irritating and more compatible with sensitive skin than chemical sunscreens. The main complaint about titanium dioxide-based sunscreens is that they leave unsightly white residue. This problem has been partly addressed by the advent of titanium dioxide nanoparticles as a sunscreen agent. Titanium dioxide nonoparticles have different optical properties and tend to produce much less whitish tint than regular powdered titanium dioxide.
However, the safety of titanium dioxide nanoparticles remains a controversial subject. When exposed to sunlight (and possibly even other light), titanium dioxide nanoparticles may promote generation of free radicals and increase the risk of mutations - more so that regular titanium dioxide. More research is needed, however. Titanium dioxide is in many ways similar to zinc dioxide as a sun blocking agent. However, zinc oxide has some advantages of having broader range, anti-irritant properties and less opacity at comparable concentrations. Oftentimes they are combined together to achieve broad spectrum sun protection.
Zinc oxide or Zn0 is also a white powder in texture. Zinc oxide is also a physical sun blocking agent that works primarily by reflecting/scattering ultraviolet light. It has a broad range of effectiveness, covering UVB as well as both short (320-340 nm, a.k.a UVA-2) and long (340-400 nm, a.k.a. UVA-1). Regular zinc oxide also blocks visible light up to wavelengths 700 nm, whereas zinc nanoparticles block only up to 380 - 400 nm, depending on the specific formulation. As a single ingredient, zinc oxide is the broadest range sunscreen on the market today. Its major disadvantage, just as with Titanium Dioxide, is unsightly whitish tint it creates. Nanoparticle forms are less unsightly but their potential risks are unclear and need to be more thoroughly researched.
Also, it is difficult to achieve high SPF (UVB protection measure) with zinc oxide alone. Therefore, in high SPF sunscreens, it is generally combined with chemical UVB blockers. The safety of zinc oxide nanoparticles remains a controversial subject. When exposed to sunlight, zinc oxide nanoparticles may promote the generation of free radicals and increase the risk of mutations. However, this effect has been shown only in cell culture: it may not be relevant to topical use as long as zinc oxide nonoparticles do not penetrate stratum corneum (the outer skin layer consisting mostly of dead cells).
Zinc oxide has a long history of safe use. It is not irritating and compatible with sensitive skin. In fact, zinc oxide is a skin protectant and anti-irritant, and is widely used in treating various forms of dermatitis/skin irritation, including diaper rash.
Virtually no single sun blocking ingredient can provide complete, broad protection alone. In that respect, zinc oxide is arguably closer to the ideal than most others. Still, when used alone, it is insufficient if high SPF (UVB protection measure) is required. Hence, in commercial sunscreens, zinc oxide is usually combined with chemical UVB blockers. Sometimes it is also combined with other physical (titanium dioxide) and/or chemical UVA blockers.
To wrap it up with an afterthought and a little guide for easier understanding. When it comes to the sun protection choices these are the choices:
Everyone has different tolerance when it comes to health vs. look, feel and smell. Make your choice a wise one.What are those mysterious Titanium Dioxide and Zinc Oxide?
Titanium dioxide has a long history of safe use as a sun block and cosmetic ingredient. It is not irritating and more compatible with sensitive skin than chemical sunscreens. The main complaint about titanium dioxide-based sunscreens is that they leave unsightly white residue. This problem has been partly addressed by the advent of titanium dioxide nanoparticles as a sunscreen agent. Titanium dioxide nonoparticles have different optical properties and tend to produce much less whitish tint than regular powdered titanium dioxide.
However, the safety of titanium dioxide nanoparticles remains a controversial subject. When exposed to sunlight (and possibly even other light), titanium dioxide nanoparticles may promote generation of free radicals and increase the risk of mutations - more so that regular titanium dioxide. More research is needed, however. Titanium dioxide is in many ways similar to zinc dioxide as a sun blocking agent. However, zinc oxide has some advantages of having broader range, anti-irritant properties and less opacity at comparable concentrations. Oftentimes they are combined together to achieve broad spectrum sun protection.
Also, it is difficult to achieve high SPF (UVB protection measure) with zinc oxide alone. Therefore, in high SPF sunscreens, it is generally combined with chemical UVB blockers. The safety of zinc oxide nanoparticles remains a controversial subject. When exposed to sunlight, zinc oxide nanoparticles may promote the generation of free radicals and increase the risk of mutations. However, this effect has been shown only in cell culture: it may not be relevant to topical use as long as zinc oxide nonoparticles do not penetrate stratum corneum (the outer skin layer consisting mostly of dead cells).
Zinc oxide has a long history of safe use. It is not irritating and compatible with sensitive skin. In fact, zinc oxide is a skin protectant and anti-irritant, and is widely used in treating various forms of dermatitis/skin irritation, including diaper rash.
Virtually no single sun blocking ingredient can provide complete, broad protection alone. In that respect, zinc oxide is arguably closer to the ideal than most others. Still, when used alone, it is insufficient if high SPF (UVB protection measure) is required. Hence, in commercial sunscreens, zinc oxide is usually combined with chemical UVB blockers. Sometimes it is also combined with other physical (titanium dioxide) and/or chemical UVA blockers.
To wrap it up with an afterthought and a little guide for easier understanding. When it comes to the sun protection choices these are the choices:
| Sun screen/block choice | Pros | Cons | Price |
| Mineral with TiO2 and/or ZnO, NON-NANO particles | The most wise choice for health reasons (adults& kids) Does not penetrate the skin. | Does leave light to moderate white cast on skin due to ingredients in it. (that is unavoidable) | Higher then other choices |
| Mineral with TiO2 and/or ZnO, NANO particles | Still mineral and natural. Leaves minimal white cast or none. | Would not recommend it for babies and kids as their skin is thinner. Nano particles may generate free radicals and cause DNA damage. Health related consequences are still unknown. | Lower then with non-nano particles, but varies depending on product. |
| Chemical or combination of both | Provides good spread-ability, feel and smell, does not leave white cast (or may if has mineral ingredients also) | Contains potentially hazardous and toxic chemicals that may cause health issues, allergies and cancer | The lowest price |
Sweetsation Therapy Organic skin care products for pregnancy and babies
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