Best Mineral Sunscreen In India

If healthy, youthful skin is the ultimate goal, sunscreen is an indispensable product in your skincare routine. It protects our skin from the sun's harmful rays, keeping sunburns, uneven tan lines, dark spots and even wrinkles at bay. 

But when it comes to selecting the right sunscreen, there is a choice to be made that can be overwhelming. Should you opt for a mineral sunscreen or a chemical one? Mineral sunscreens are becoming more popular as they have some clear advantages over chemical sunscreen. But even among them, there are so many options to choose from. In this post, we share some key insights about mineral sunscreens to help you find the best mineral sunscreen for your skin type. 

Mineral Vs. Chemical Sunscreens

Before we talk about how to choose mineral sunscreens, it's important to understand the difference between chemical and mineral sunscreens:

• Mineral Sunscreen: Also known as physical sunscreen, mineral sunscreens work by absorbing and scattering UV rays away from the skin. The active ingredients in physical sunscreens include zinc oxide and titanium dioxide.

• Chemical Sunscreens: Chemical sunscreens absorb UV rays and convert them into heat, which is then released from the skin. The most common active ingredients found in chemical sunscreens include oxybenzone, avobenzone and octocrylene.

Why Choose A Mineral Sunscreen?

1. Provides Broad-Spectrum Protection:
   Mineral sunscreens use broad-spectrum UV filters to shield your skin from both UVA and UVB radiation. While UVA rays penetrate deep into the skin, causing premature ageing, UVB rays primarily damage the outer layers, leading to sunburn. Mineral sunscreen forms a protective barrier on the skin's surface, absorbing and reflecting both UVA and UVB rays away from the skin to give your skin the required broad-spectrum protection to avoid sun damage.
   
   
2. Forms A Physical Barrier:
   Like chemical sunscreens, mineral sunscreen can absorb UV rays and convert them into heat, which is released from the skin. But the mineral particles also reflect some of the radiation away to prevent it from penetrating your skin. They sit on the skin's surface and create a protective shield much like your clothing. This makes mineral sunscreens effective immediately upon their application, without needing to wait 15-20 minutes for it to start working.
   
   
3. Gentle On Sensitive Skin:
   The inert nature of zinc oxide and titanium dioxide makes them less likely to cause irritation or allergic reactions compared to some chemical sunscreen ingredients, such as oxybenzone. Mineral sunscreens are hence known for being gentle on the skin, making them suitable for everyone. This includes people with sensitive skin or those prone to skin conditions like acne, rosacea or eczema.
   
   
4. Has Photostable Ingredients:
   Another benefit of mineral sunscreens is their photostability. Many chemical UV filters tend to break down when they are exposed to sunlight, losing their effectiveness. However, zinc oxide and titanium dioxide are known for being stable under UV radiation and are less likely to degrade under sunlight.
   
   
5. Reduces Risk Of Skin Absorption:
   A recent study raised some potential safety concerns with popular chemical filters like avobenzone and oxybenzone may be absorbed into the bloodstream in measurable amounts. Mineral sunscreens offer an additional benefit as they pose minimal risk of absorption into the skin.
   
   
6. Its Pregnancy-Safe:
   Mineral sunscreens are often recommended to pregnant women due to their safety profile. Expectant mothers need to be cautious about the ingredients present in their skincare products, as certain chemicals may pose a risk to the fetus. So by choosing a mineral sunscreen, you can protect yourself from UV damage while worrying about your child’s safety.
   
   
7. Its Kid-Friendly:
   Even kids need to wear sunscreen as their delicate skin is more susceptible to sun damage. And since they tend to be fussy about wearing sunscreens, it's important to choose a formula that doesn’t make them uncomfortable by causing irritation. So dermatologists recommend mineral sunscreen for children due to their gentle formulation and safety profile.
   
   
8. It's Eco-friendly:
   In recent years, certain chemical sunscreen filters like like oxybenzone and octinoxate have been banned in some cities due to the threat they pose to coral life. These ingredients can contribute to coral bleaching and other harmful effects on marine ecosystems when they get washed off our skin. Mineral sunscreens are considered reef-safe and should be your top choice, especially if you are holidaying by the beach.

How To Choose The Best Mineral Sunscreen

• SPF and PA Rating:
  Your mineral sunscreen should have an SPF of at least 30 or higher and atleast PA+++ to give you adequate protection against both UVA and UVB rays. While higher SPF value will offer you some extra protection, it's essential to reapply your sunscreen regularly, regardless of the SPF level.

• UV Ingredients:
  Some sunscreens that are marketed as mineral formulas may still contain chemical filters alongside mineral ones. These are known as hybrid sunscreens. A truly pure mineral sunscreen will only include zinc oxide or titanium dioxide as its active ingredients. So read the ingredients list carefully while you shop to find out if the sunscreen is truly 100% mineral.
  
  
• Hypoallergenic formulas:
  If you have sensitive, acne-prone skin that is prone to irritation or allergic reactions, pick a formula that does not contain artificial colours, fragrances or other ingredients you wish to avoid.
  
  
• Skin Type:
  Consider your skin type when selecting a mineral sunscreen. If you have oily or acne-prone skin, the best mineral sunscreen for your skin type will be lightweight, non-comedogenic formulations. And if you have dry or sensitive skin, a formulation with moisturising ingredients will keep your skin soft and supple throughout the day.

The Best Way To Apply Mineral Sunscreens

1. Apply a generous amount of sunscreen to cover all exposed areas of the skin. This typically equates to ½ teaspoon for your entire face, neck and ears.
2. To ensure optimal protection, blend the sunscreen well into the skin and wait for a few minutes while it gets completely absorbed before you proceed with your makeup products.
3. Reapply mineral sunscreen every 2-3hours, or immediately after swimming, sweating, or washing your face to keep your skin protected throughout the day
4. Don’t forget to apply sunscreen on the often overlooked areas like the ears, upper chest and back of the neck which also gets exposed to UV rays.

Buy The Best Mineral Sunscreen In India.

It took us two years of vigorous research and testing to create this family-friendly mineral sunscreen that offers broad-spectrum UV protection while feeling comfortable on the skin. Our  SPF 40 PA++++ moisturizing mineral sunscreen is India’s first Ecocert-certified organic sunscreen. The lightweight, quick-absorbing formula is vegan, cruelty-free and has an invisible finish with no white cast.

It also has phytonutrients and natural emollients like squalane, argan oil and aloe vera to soothe and hydrate your skin. Suitable for all skin types, including sensitive and acne-prone skin, this broadspectrum mineral sunscreen will protect your entire family from sun damage through all seasons. It is non-comedogenic, pregnancy-safe, kid-safe (2+ years), reef-safe and dermatologically tested. Shop here.

FAQs

Does mineral sunscreen leave a white cast?

This has been true for many older formulations. But new-age formulations leave little to no white residue, especially when they are blended properly into your skin. So even if you have a dusky skin tone, you can confidently wear a mineral sunscreen every day without looking ashy.

Which is better, chemical or mineral sunscreen?

While both mineral and chemical sunscreens offer UV protection, mineral sunscreens stand out for their broad-spectrum coverage and gentle formulation that suits even the most sensitive skin types.  If you looking for a safe, effective formula that doesn’t irritate your skin and protects your skin from harmful sun rays, mineral sunscreen is your best bet.

Are there any side effects of using mineral sunscreen?

Mineral sunscreen is generally considered for all skin types and ages. However, we recommend using a patch test to see if the formula suits your skin type and doesn’t cause any allergic reactions.