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Sunscreen vs Sunblock what’s the Difference and Which One Should You Choose
Sun protection has become an essential part of daily skincare routine to safeguard your skin from harmful effects of ultraviolet A & B radiations. As excessive sun-exposure can cause sunburn, premature aging, and even skin cancer. It’s crucial to incorporate sun protection into daily skincare routine while living in UAE, regardless of the weather and time of the year. Sunblock and sunscreen: the two terms often used interchangeably, but do they actually mean the same?
In fact both offer sun protection from harmful UV rays, however there are some key differences between the two that can impact your facial skin significantly. By knowing the difference between sunblock and sunscreen, you can make informed choices to shield your skin from the damaging impact of sun. Let’s explore the specifics of sunblock versus sunscreen to know which product is better for you and how to opt for the best option for optimal sun protection.
Sunscreen VS Sunblock
Although both products provide a protective shield against detrimental UV rays, they work differently. The easiest way to remember the difference is through the ending words. Sunscreen absorbs ultraviolet rays whereas sunblock blocks them physically. The ingredients of sunscreen tend to blend naturally but a noticeable white cast is left in case of sunblock. The selection between sunscreen vs sunblock for face seems difficult but paying attention to minute details can make it easy.
Important Link: Discover the Best Sunscreens For Face in UAE
What Is Sunscreen?
Sunscreen defense is based on chemical which penetrates into the skin and absorbs UV rays they reach and damage the middle layer of the skin i.e. the dermal layer: the backbone of the skin.
Sunscreen Types
The two most common types of sunscreens are chemical and physical. As the name suggests Chemical sunscreen is made up of chemicals like oxybenzone, avobenzone, and octinoxate. It absorbs into the skin, converting UV rays into heat to reflect them.
Physical sunscreen also known as Sunblock stays on top of the skin to act like a barrier against ultraviolet A and B radiations. Vince Sunblock SPF 40, UVB Protector SPF (50) and UVA & UVB Protector SPF (75) specifically designed for all skin types are the easy picks for everyone.
Important Link: Differentiating Between Physical and Chemical Sunscreen
Sunscreen Ingredients
The ingredients in a sunscreen are of two types: one is Active and the other is Inactive. Active ingredients work for sun protection and others are supportive ingredients. Let’s have a closer look at these components.
Active Ingredients:
Active ingredients in sunscreen are about 20% which offer protection against UV rays. Compounds like Avobenzone, Oxybenzone, Octinoxate, octisalate, octocrylene, homosalate penetrate into the skin and then absorb UV rays to reflect back before reaching the most important middle layer of the skin.
Inactive Ingredients:
The inactive ingredients are about 80% of the solution helping all the components to stick together and work efficiently. There are different sorts of inactive ingredients: Formulation Stabilizers, Sensory Enhancers, and Extras.
Formulation Stabilizers:
Formulation stabilizers are about 55%. They are not protective ingredients but help the active ones to remain in form of solution.
- Solvents are in the largest portions, which are usually water but sometimes oil can also be included.
- Preservatives such as tocopherol acetate, and phenoxyethanol keep all the ingredients intact and give a longer shelf life.
- Other important elements included in a sunscreen are thickening agents, chelating agents, antioxidants, pH- balancing agents, and emulsifiers etc. to keep the active ingredients intact and functional.
Sensory Enhancers:
Sensory enhancers are about 23% of the whole solution. These ingredients enhance the feel and even application of the product. These include fragrance, emollients, and moisturizing elements which not only enhance the smell but also its application as it is spread easily and evenly on the skin to provide optimal sun protection.
Extras:
The minimal elements in a sunscreen are extras which are about 2% of the product. These ingredients are not effective in sun protection but add some extra features like aloe, and glycerin are added to give moisture which is also useful.
Important Link: Best Sunscreen For Dry Skin In Dubai, UAE
What Is Sunblock?
Sunblock, also known as physical sunscreen, is a physical defense against UV rays because it stays on top of the skin to act like a physical barrier. Sunblock is mineral based and includes minerals such as titanium oxide or zinic oxide. A white cast in left on the skin due to its ingredients and mechanism.
Sunblock ingredients:
Sunblock usually contains a combination of active and inactive ingredients to offer effective sun-protection and ensure the suitable and gentle application of the product on skin. Detailed specification of the ingredients is given below.
Active Ingredients:
15% active ingredients in sunblock, offer sun-protection against UV rays. The minerals added in a sunblock: Zinc oxide and titanium dioxide provide broad-spectrum protection against UVA and UVB rays.
Inactive Ingredients:
The inactive ingredients mark up about 85% of the whole product. These include formulation stabilizers, sensory enhancers, and extras.
Formulation Stabilizers:
These are about 56% of the product which enhance the formulation and functionality of the sunblock. These include:
- Solvents such as water or oils to keep the product in required consistency.
- Preservatives like phenoxyethanol enhance the formulation and shelf life of the sunblock.
- Other ingredients like cetyl alcohol, an emulsifier and a thickening agent, and xanthan gum, a stabilizer and a thickening agent, give the product a smooth texture and make it easier to apply.
Sensory Enhancers:
Sensory enhancers share about 14% of the item and improve the texture and feel of the sunblock. These include emollients: glycerin, dimethicone, octyl stearate, and various oils which provide moisture and help in even application of the product.
Extras:
Extras also share a fair amount in the whole solution which is 15%. These include hyaluronic acid that helps attract and retain moisture in the skin. These kinds of elements are not used for sun protection but to make the product feel better.
Types of Sun Protection
Generally, two types of sun protectors are available: chemical and physical. The chemical sun protectors, safeguard your skin by penetrating into the skin and then reflecting the harmful UV rays whereas the physical sun protection stays on top of the skin to create a barrier against damaging UV rays.
The commonly used names are chemical sunscreen and physical sunscreen. Additionally, there are different forms of sun-protectors available in the market such as lotion, gel, spray and foam.
Sunscreen VS Sunblock Effectiveness
The debate of sun protection sunscreen vs sunblock can be prolonged but the effectiveness of both the products is undeniable. The sun-protectors guard your skin from premature aging, hyperpigmentation, sun burn, and even skin cancer. The benefits of sunscreen and sunblock make them different and unique, explore further to pick the best one according to your skin type.
Benefits of Sunscreen
- Sunscreens are likely to be light textured, making the application easy and less noticeable like UVB Protector SPF (50) and UVA & UVB Protector SPF (75) are light-textured and easily applicable options.
- Reapplication also becomes easy throughout the day without having the feeling of buildup.
- The quick absorption and matt finish making it ideal for those who want to wear make along with sun-protectors.
- The penetration of sunscreen into the skin helps reduce oiliness, especially for combination skin.
Benefits of Sunblock
- Sunblock offers instant sun-protection because it starts working immediately as soon as it’s applied.
- It’s active ingredients such as Zinc oxide and titanium dioxide, makes it broad-spectrum protective product to guard against UVA and UVB rays such as Vince Sunblock SPF 40 offer broad-spectrum protection.
- Gentle formulation makes it safe and suitable for all skin types, especially for sensitive skin as it is less likely to cause irritation and allergic reactions.
- Sunblock is often considered environment friendly due chemical free formulation. Hence, it is less likely to harm coral reefs and marine life.
- Effective for water-based activities due to its ingredients and mechanism.
Conclusion
Whether you opt for sunscreen or sunblock, the effective sun-protection of these products is undeniable fact. In UAE’s rough and tough weather conditions, sun protection is a mandatory part of daily skincare routine.
To opt for the best product, you need to consider your skin types, the kind of sun-exposure and outdoor activities as both the products are efficient in providing protection against detrimental UV rays. So, the careful selection of the suitable product and reapplication is crucial for maintaining fresh and radiant skin.
Important Link: Best Sunscreen For Combination Skin In UAE
Frequently Asked Question (FAQs)
Q1. What is the difference between sunscreen and sunblock?
Sunscreen and sunblock are different due to their ingredients and mechanism. Sunscreen contains chemicals like oxybenzone, avobenzone, and octinoxate which absorb into the skin to reflect the harmful UV rays to offer optimal sun protection. However, sunblock contains minerals such as Zinc oxide and titanium dioxide which stays on top of the skin to act like a physical barrier against damaging UV rays. Vince Sunblock SPF 40, UVA & UVB Protector SPF (50) and UVA & UVB Protector SPF (75) are unique and effective for all skin types against both kinds of ultraviolet radiations.
Q2. Which is better: sunscreen or sunblock?
Although both products work differently, they serve the same purpose i.e. effective sun-protection. Sunblock contains zinc oxide and titanium dioxide which provide physical barrier against UV rays but sunscreen absorbs the UV rays and reflects them back from the skin in the form of heat to offer shield against harmful UV rays. Therefore, pick the suitable product according to your skin type and your needs.
Q3. Can I use sunscreen and sunblock together?
Generally, one type of product (sunscreen or sunblock) at a time is recommended as mixing two types together can reduce the effectiveness of formulation in protection against dangerous UV rays. Therefore, it’s better to use one type of product at a time to get optimal sun protection.
Q4. Are there any side effects to using sunscreen or sunblock?
No, there is no side effect of both the products. But the selection of the suitable type of protector is crucial according to skin type as sunscreen may cause potential irritation on the skin due to its chemical formulation. So, pay attention to your unique skin to pick the best option.
Q5. Does sunscreen give more protection than sunblock?
Both of them are effective protectors, the only difference is the way they work and protect against the UV rays. Choose the one which is best for your skin type. Sunblock is usually considered safe for sensitive and combination skin as it is gentle due to its ingredients. Sunscreen works well for oily skin because of its smooth and matt finish.
