The Benefits of Physical or Natural Sunscreens
The risks associated with chemical sunscreens are numerous, so it’s easy to see why more and more people are interested in natural sunscreen options.
Many dermatologists and other skin care experts now recommend using so-called “physical” sunscreens, which are considered safer options because they offer broad-spectrum protection and lack hormone-disrupting risks. Two of the best-known minerals used in natural sunscreens are titanium dioxide and zinc oxide.
When formulating natural sun protection, the highest priorities should be broad-spectrum protection and safety. It’s important to offer protection from both UVA and UVB rays, along with protection from free radicals, which cause premature aging.
Zinc oxide has been used as sun protection for a long time. It offers broad-spectrum protection, shielding you from both UVB rays, which cause sunburn, and UVA rays, which penetrate more deeply and may be more dangerous in terms of causing skin cancer.
Though titanium dioxide works in a similar manner in providing broad-spectrum protection, its safety isn’t as well-documented as zinc’s. Zinc is an essential mineral that we actually need in our bodies for optimal function. And zinc is the only active sunscreen ingredient approved by the FDA for infants under six months.
A number of studies have demonstrated the superiority of zinc over other types of sunscreens. Here’s a small sample:
- Researchers tested zinc oxide and found it offered broad-spectrum UV protection, and was “photostable,” meaning it didn’t alter in dangerous ways when exposed to UV rays.
- In 2000, researchers compared zinc oxide with titanium dioxide for their abilities to weaken UVA radiation. They found that zinc oxide provided superior protection against long-wave, damaging UVA rays.
(Excerpt taken from The Food Revolution Network)