• Rewards Room
    • You are here
    Home / Body & Health / Suncare / Physical vs. chemical: The right sunscreen for you

    Physical vs. chemical: The right sunscreen for you

    Updated:6 Mar 2019 2:51 PM | Posted by
    Beth E's picture
    Beth E
    Comment

    Physical vs. chemical sunscreen: What’s the difference, and is one better than the other?

    RELATED: The best sunscreen lotions to suit every taste

    Sun protection is a serious business (especially at this time of year!), so I spoke to dermatologist and Banana Boat expert Saxon Donald Smith to get the facts straight. Turns out, there’s more to sunscreen than meets the eye...

    What is the difference between physical and chemical sunscreen?

    As Saxon explains, chemical sunscreens work to “absorb UV rays and convert this absorbed energy into safer, longer lower energy wavelengths such as infra-red.” These safer rays are felt as “heat only” on the skin.

    Different chemicals absorb different kinds of UV rays. Avobenzone, for example, absorbs UVA rays, while octinoxate absorbs UVB rays. According to Saxon, when you apply your sunscreen, “These chemicals are absorbed into the very top layer of the skin (epidermis) and protect against UV rays penetrating deeper in the skin (dermis).”

    RELATED: The difference between UVA and UVB rays

    On the other hand, physical sunscreens use physical blockers such as titanium dioxide and zinc oxide to “simply but effectively reflect or scatter the UV rays from the skin surface.” Rather than being absorbed into the skin, “These particles sit on top of the skin and protect against further penetration deeper into the skin (dermis).”

    To sum it up, physical sunscreen acts like a shield against UV rays, while chemical sunscreen changes the form of the rays themselves, rendering them harmless.

    What is more common in Australia?  

    Physical and chemical sunscreens are both commonly available in Australia – and both are subject to a stringent approval process. The chemical ingredients commonly used across major sunscreen brands must be “approved by the TGA (Therapeutic Goods Authority), just as physical sunscreens are,” Saxon says.

    Physical and chemical sunscreens with an SPF over 15 are also tested to the Australian Standard – “the highest testing standard in the world for sunscreens” – and are considered a medical product.

    So, whether you use an Australian sunscreen that contains physical blockers, chemical blockers or a mixture of both, you’re protecting your skin with a high-quality SPF.

    RELATED: How to spot a melanoma

    Is one more effective than the other?

    In short, the answer is no – it comes down to your preference. As Saxon explains, “Both chemical absorbers and physical blockers are equally effective at protecting the skin when applied appropriately.” The expert likens choosing a sunscreen to “choosing a moisturiser”, saying it’s “a very personal thing as people like different characteristics in the creams that they use.”

    For example, if you’re a fitness fanatic, you may prefer the feeling of a barely-there chemical sunscreen (as opposed to a physical sunscreen sitting on your skin’s surface, especially when you sweat).

    On the other hand, physical sunscreens are generally recommended for those with sensitive skin, who tend to tolerate physical UV blockers better than chemical ones.

    RELATED: Top 7 sunscreens for sensitive skin

    3 OF THE BEST CHEMICAL SUNSCREENS TO TRY:

    Best chemical sunscreens

    Banana Boat Sun Comfort Lotion, NEUTROGENA® Beach Defence Sunscreen Lotion SPF50, Hamilton Active Family Lotion Sunscreen

    3 OF THE BEST PHYSICAL SUNSCREENS TO TRY:

    Best physical sunscreens

    Invisible Zinc® 4HR Water Resistant Sunscreen SPF 30+ UVA-UVB, WOTNOT 30+ SPF Natural Sunscreen, Billie Goat Soap Natural Zinc Sunscreen Lotion SPF 30

    RELATED: Do you need to wear SPF all year round?
     

    Do you use a physical or a chemical sunscreen? Did you know the difference?

    Have you tried any of the products mentioned above?

    Review them now to earn points that you can swap for free beauty products in RewardsRoom.

    Hamilton Active Family Lotion Sunscreen
    Write a Review
    Neutrogena Beach Defence Sunscreen Lotion SPF50
    Write a Review
    Billie Goat Soap Natural Zinc Sunscreen Lotion SPF 30
    Write a Review

    You might also like

    7 ways to channel your inner beach babe

    56 Comments

    SPF products your skin will love

    73 Comments

    10 commandments for healthy skin

    86 Comments

    Top 6 pigmentation correctors

    240 Comments

    119 Member Comments

    Seashells 12 Mar 2019 5:12 PM

    I personally prefer physical sunscreen these days as I'm not a fan of the way chemical sunscreens smell, plus I've found that I can react to chemical sunscreens. I will agree that chemical sunscreens can feel less greasy, but it really depends on the formulation I reckon. My personal faves are Invisible Zinc's Sheer Defence Moisturiser + Ego Sunsense's Sensitive Invisible sunscreen.

    jillian206 12 Mar 2019 8:32 AM

    I never know this. Great informative article.

    Beautybabe140194 11 Mar 2019 11:11 AM

    Had know idea there was different types of sunscreens

    Meedee 11 Mar 2019 10:02 AM

    When I look through my sunscreen collection I notice that there is a mix of physical and chemical sunscreens.

    skincare junkie 11 Mar 2019 7:40 AM

    My moogoo physical sunscreen has split again (second tube and it happens every time) so I am ditching it.

    Tried wotnot pictured above and dear lord. I have not used anything this oily before, except facial oil.

    Shop A Everyday 10 Mar 2019 8:04 PM

    I mainly use chemical ones but I do have the Arden prevage sunscreen and I think this is a physical one

    Nicoler112 10 Mar 2019 5:11 PM

    This is such an informative article to explain the differences. Most of mine after chemical. All the physical sunscreens I have used are so thick and greasy on the face. Currently using a japanese one (Biore Uv watery essense) and I love the texture and finish on my skin. Been wearing it all summer and no sunburn, even after spending all my lunch break in Hyde Park.

    bettina44 10 Mar 2019 12:05 AM

    I'd be interested to know if they is a cost difference between the two

    angie_robyn 9 Mar 2019 10:51 PM

    I have just bought a Japanese sunscreen to try for the first time when I run out of my La Roche Posay. They are supposed to be very goof for under makeup and don’t make you greasy or sting the eyes.

    BlueBite 9 Mar 2019 8:24 PM

    I've always wanted to try physical sunscreen but the last time I did (tried the Invisible Zinc untinted), I got a bad rash =(

    Beauty Fan 69 9 Mar 2019 5:59 PM

    I wasn't aware of the difference and found this article very interesting. I will know more when I go to purchase next time now!

    the_girl_who_loves_cosmetics 8 Mar 2019 11:04 PM

    Invisible Zinc makes the list - yay.

    Lucy16 9 Mar 2019 12:35 AM

    I love IZ but won’t wear it to the beach as it impacts on coral. Titanium diocese is a better option for beach days...

    josella432 8 Mar 2019 10:49 PM

    Every physical sunscreen I have tried has been super uncomfortable as a glasses wearer.

    Tigerlily 8 Mar 2019 7:06 PM

    I haven't ventured into the chemical vs physical sunscreen debate yet. However currently trying out Korean and later Japanese sunscreens!

    Nys Silver 8 Mar 2019 1:37 PM

    I prefer physical sunscreen as my skin can be sensitive

    ThisIsMe 8 Mar 2019 11:28 AM

    Had no idea there were 2 different types. So am I right in assuming the chemical sunscreens would help you get a tan then as it doesn't shield of the sun but absorbs at a lower level?!

    Chrystalage 7 Mar 2019 8:53 PM

    I prefer to use a physical S/S on my face but most of the ones I've tried have been too heavy and greasy

    Gilded 7 Mar 2019 2:56 PM

    Used both and know the physical is better for protection but wow its greasyyyyyy.

    Yohanna 7 Mar 2019 2:36 PM

    I must use physical. Prefer none, but since I got so much sun damage from not wearing any for almost 4 decades and sun worship....ya.

    Lucy16 7 Mar 2019 9:55 PM

    I was exploring UPF face masks but they look too much like balaclavas...

    Lucy16 7 Mar 2019 2:34 PM

    There is also the argument against using sunscreens that cause coral bleaching.

    Tests have shown that oxybenzone and zinc oxide both cause bleaching.

    Apparently titanium dioxide sunscreens are safe for coral reefs.

    josella432 8 Mar 2019 10:51 PM

    It'd be great if BH could do an article on this.

    Lucy16 7 Mar 2019 2:26 PM

    For melasma, tinted physical sunscreens are the most effective hands down.

    Deeknight 7 Mar 2019 2:01 PM

    my daily face suncreen is a chemical (30+) but if im heading out into the sun like to the beach or something i use a physical on my face and body. i find physical sunscreens dont like to sit between my oily skin and makeup. chemical on makeup days for me

    Pages

    You need to log in or become a member to post a comment.
    TOP