Thoughts: Chemical or. Physical Sunscreen?

If you are not reading this on mymakeupreviews.blogspot.com or in a feed reader, this site has stolen my content.

I decided to do a bit of search on this subject as I was often asked about my HG Sunscreen and etc. I can tell you that I LOVE Cancer Council Australia Ultra Sunscreen SPF 30 and QV Sunsense (Well, mostly the SPORT version now.) We can get QV easily in our local pharmacies but as for the Australian version, eh, you will have to buy them in Australia or New Zealand (as the New Zealand version has the same formulations and standards as the Australian ones.) Confused enough? Please read on...

"Chemical Sunscreens are synthetic chemical substances with the following properties:

they are powerful absorbers of UV radiation

when they absorb radiation they remain relatively stable

These sun filters are formulated with other compounds in order to obtain highly effective products with protection factors varying from 4 to 30. Importantly, they often have to be reapplied quite frequently.

For many people, however, the advantages of chemical sunscreens outweigh the disadvantages. With all products it is advisable to read the label, to check that the product blocks both UVB and UVA radiation.

Physical sunscreens contain inert mineral particles that reflect UV rays like a mirror. The most common type used is ultrafine titanium dioxide (TiO²), made up of minute particles only 20-30 mm³ in size.

These products have advantages over chemical sunscreens in that they are inert substances that do not break down over time. They are far less liable to cause skin irritation, since they are in the form of insoluble particles that are not absorbed through the skin. Because of the small size of the particles, modern physical sunscreens reflect radiation in the UVB and short UVA regions better than earlier products did. Also, whereas their predecessors left a slight residue on the skin that looked like a trace of make-up base, which some people found unattractive. (aka.white cast). There are formulations for use on the face and lips, and special
preparations that can be used by small children. All should be reapplied after sweating or swimming, even if the product claims to be waterproof and rub-proof, or to offer 'all-day protection'. Ideally, whichever sunscreen you choose, make sure that it blocks both UVB and UVA and has a sun protection factor (SPF) rating of at least 15." - Chemical vs. Physical Sunscreens

Fortunately, many sunscreen products these days have a mixture of chemical and physical ingredients to achieve the best of both. But as far as how good is the product for each individual, it's still up to YOUR SKIN to decide. Each person reacts differently.

One thing to note is that SPF is unstable once it's past 30. Therefore, the Australian government only allows its products with SPF labeled up to SPF30 even if it's been tested higher. Please read further information on Sunscreens - Australian regulatory guidelines for OTC medicines. (It took me a long time to digest that whole lot...) However, in Asia, as we don't have unified regulations and guidelines, we are able to find products with SPF as high as most cosmetic companies claim to have been tested (and the relevant countries' health ministries approved.) It sucks but our governments do have to be more stringent in this. Personally, I trust the Australian standard the most as the country is known to its tough rules and regulations. Well, that's just me!

I have not tested that many sunscreens to say what's good and what's bad. Some famous products that I have tested and had problems with were the Shiseido Ultimate Sun Protection Cream/Lotion SPF50, PA+++ and L’oreal UV Perfect Fluid Protector (link to paris's review), which is only available in Asia at the moment (if not mistaken) but has already been approved by US FDA. I got pimples from both of them (and I have quite normal to slightly dry facial skin which hardly breaks out.) I also couldn't stand the fragrance in Shiseido's and how runny L'Oreal's is. Like I said earlier, it's really up to individuals. Some friends of mine can't use QV, which I swear by!

What's your favourite Sunscreen, if you have found a HG?

In the mean time, you can read more about Preventing skin cancer on Sun Smart.