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“Physical sunscreens are better for people with melasma because they reflect the UVB light rather than converting it to heat.”
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“Chemical sunscreens convert UVB light to heat,” she said. Heat can exacerbate the condition, according to Bordone. Melasma is a condition caused by an overproduction of the cells that make the color of your skin, often resulting in brown or blue-gray patches. They can also help minimize pigment changes that you see in things like sunspots, post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation, scarring, or melasma, Kenkare said.
#Mineral sunscreen skin#
Since mineral sunscreens prevent some of the UV light from being absorbed into the skin, Kenkare said that it lowers long-term cumulative UV radiation damage, including the development of skin cancer and collagen breakdown, which can result in premature aging or wrinkles. Opting for a mineral sunscreen may also be a better way to protect your skin too, although there are some pros and cons. It also damaged coral DNA, preventing them from reproducing or leading to deformed offspring.įindings like these contributed to the banning of chemical sunscreens containing oxybenzone or octinoxate in places like Hawaii Key West, Florida and Aruba in efforts to protect their marine ecosystems. They found that it did act as an endocrine disruptor and induce coral bleaching, which can lead to the death of corals, the marine invertebrates that make up coral reefs. The greater health risk of these chemicals seems to be to marine ecosystems.Ĭraig Downs, a forensic ecotoxicologist with Haereticus Environmental Laboratory in Virginia, led a team of marine scientists in specifically analyzing the toxicity of high concentrations of oxybenzone to corals and coral reefs. (Preventing sunburns and sun damage, however, can help lower your skin cancer risk, so they have a clear benefit there.) However, an analysis of 29 different studies of sunscreen chemicals suggested that there is no strong evidence that this has an impact on thyroid or reproductive hormones or other aspects of human health, although more research is needed. Lindsey Bordone, a board-certified dermatologist at Columbia University Medical Center. There's some concern over whether those chemicals can act as endocrine disruptors, meaning they could interfere with hormones, especially in pregnant people or young children, said Dr.
#Mineral sunscreen trial#
One randomized controlled trial showed that people who applied a lot (covering 75% of their body four times a day for four days) had blood concentrations of sunscreen chemicals that exceeded the FDA toxicology threshold. Recent studies have found that you can absorb the chemicals in sunscreens into your bloodstream. In contrast to chemical sunscreens, which absorb into the skin before soaking up and dissipating those UV rays, mineral or physical sunscreens are designed to reflect, scatter, and also absorb solar radiation before it seeps through. Those metals are broken down into very small particles that sit on the skin and physically block some portion of UV rays from penetrating them. Sonya Kenkare, a board-certified dermatologist based in Chicago. “Mineral sunscreens are typically sunscreens where their main or only ingredients are zinc oxide, titanium oxide, or iron oxide,” said Dr. Experts say that the solution to this and many other sun-related issues is simple: Opt for a mineral sunscreen instead of chemical sunscreens if you will be swimming in areas with coral reefs or other wildlife that can be damaged by these compounds.
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The problem is that those chemicals can be found in most options you’ll find in the sunscreen section at the drugstore.īut the dangers of sun exposure remain, which presents a bit of a conundrum. However, at least seven countries, vacation spots, and destinations have banned the sale of sunscreens that damage the environment because they contain the chemicals oxybenzone or octinoxate. Doctors recommend that you wear sunscreen as often as possible to avoid sunburns and damage that can lead to skin cancer and premature aging. Too much sun is not good for your skin, and thankfully humans have invented sun-blocking lotions, creams, and sprays to help protect against those harmful rays. Oh, and FYI - prices are accurate and items in stock as of time of publication. Just so you know, BuzzFeed may collect a share of sales or other compensation from the links on this page if you decide to shop from them. We hope you love the products we recommend! All of them were independently selected by our editors.
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