Why You Need to Switch Out Your Chemical Sunscreen for a Physical One

By now, we’re well aware that there’s a dark side to the sun, which is why all of us here at NYLON are pro-sunscreen through and through. Okay, not all of us. In fact, I might be alone on this… In any case, for those who slather on sunscreen daily like it’s non-negotiable, you’ve probably heard that there’s a difference between chemical and physical sunscreens, and that both categories have their advantages.
“Physical sunscreens?” a fellow colleague (the same one who doesn’t use a facial cleanser *cough* Joel *cough*) asked. I answered, “Sunscreens with titanium dioxide and zinc oxide.” Only to be met with a defeated response, “You lost me at sunscreens.” So allow me to break it down for you guys today.
Let’s get physical, physical 🎶 I wanna get physical, physical 🎶 Let’s get into physical 🎶
Okay, chemical sunscreens use active ingredients that absorb UV radiation to prevent them from penetrating into the skin. However, these chemical filters will gradually break down and release heat, which is why it doesn’t always perform well on sensitive skin. The most common ingredients that define a chemical sunscreen are oxybenzone, avobenzone, homosalate, octisalate, and octinoxate.
When pitted against the formulas of physical ones, chemical filters can give a better look and feel to a sunscreen because they sink into the skin quickly and dry clear. However, some studies have shown that they’re capable of disrupting our hormones, which is a terrible thing to unearth. Physical sunscreens, on the other hand, contain titanium dioxide and zinc oxide, two mineral UV filters that reflect, scatter, and block sun rays instead of absorbing them. Their biggest drawback though, is that they can leave a white cast on the skin, which is why most people avoid them.
Perhaps the final, most important difference to note is that chemical UV filters can only protect the skin against UVA or UVB rays – so it’s one or the other, never both. Meanwhile, physical UV filters are able to fend off both UVA and UVB rays at the same time. It’s pretty easy to see which type of sunscreen is better, right? Bottomline: if your skin reacts to everything under the sun, or if you’re simply looking for a cleaner sunscreen with less troubling ingredients, then do yourself a favour and pick up a physical formula.
Here, we’ve culled some of the best physical sunscreens on the market.
 

Coola Face SPF30 Mineral Sunscreen Unscented Matte Tint
Currently dominating the green beauty sphere, Coola’s offering goes on light and soft like an airy mousse. Except this mousse is loaded with rose hip, evening primrose and flax seed oils to keep your skin moisturised but still matte. Thanks to the slight tint, it won’t leave a white cast, so feel free to replace your regular BB cream with this to even out your complexion a little.
$65, available from naturallybetterco.com.sg.
 

Drunk Elephant Umbra Tinte Physical Daily Defense
This one may contain 20% zinc oxide, but it’s already received praises for not leaving a chalky layer of white on the skin, even on those with darker skin tones. Drunk Elephant’s (God, I love that name) Umbra Tinte is loaded with sunflower sprout extract, marula oil, and aloe vera leaf extract to soothe and neutralise free radicals. Something I definitely need to get my hands on.
US$36, available from drunkelephant.com.
 

Paula’s Choice Resist Super-Light Daily Wrinkle Defense
Perfect for oilier skin types, this sunscreen is exactly what it claims to be: super-light. Seriously, you won’t even feel it sitting on your skin. It’s a mineral moisturiser that sops up the grease to leave your skin matte all day long. The formula features antioxidants such as willow bark extract and pomegranate extract that’ll boost the skin’s overall health and prevent premature aging as well.
$48, available from paulaschoice.sg.
 

Peter Thomas Roth Oily Problem Skin Instant Mineral SPF 30
If liquid and cream sunscreens are the bane of your existence, then this self-dispensing brush-on powder is here to answer your prayers. An SPF-infused mineral powder, it uses both titanium dioxide and zinc oxide to appease your first-world preferences and troublesome skin. Dust it on after your makeup or when you feel a midday shine coming on.
$60, available on sephora.sg.
 

Suntegrity 5-in-1 Natural Moisturizing Face Sunscreen, Tinted, Broad Spectrum SPF 30
Still taking the green beauty world by storm, Suntegrity’s tinted option works as a moisturiser, primer, sunscreen, sheer-coverage foundation, as well as a nourishing treatment. So yes, it’s definitely 5-in-1. You can expect a medley of soothing ingredients thrown into the mix: hyaluronic acid, aloe vera, cucumber, pomegranate, and green tea help to provide extra sun protection and hydration to the skin to keep it in tip-top condition.
$70, available from puretincture.com.