You know that sunscreen is a must to protect against cancer and premature aging. But do you know the difference between chemical vs physical sunscreen? If waterproof sunscreen is truly proof against the water? Or which chemicals in sunscreen are safer than others?

And read on to question #7 to learn more about the latest research and how our team at Moy Fincher Chipps takes skin cancer prevention to the next level.

Don’t worry (and don’t stop using sunscreen!). We have answers!

The Better Blocker Sun Quiz: Six Questions for Skin Safety

  1. Is There Any Difference Between Chemical and Mineral Sunscreen?

Yes!

Chemical sunscreens are designed to provide broad-spectrum protection, meaning they protect against both UVA and UVB rays. Commonly used chemicals (the active ingredients) include oxybenzone, avobenzone, octisalate, octocrylene, homosalate, and octinoxate. Think of them as a sponge soaking up the sun’s rays.

Physical sunscreens use inorganic mineral compounds like zinc oxide or titanium dioxide as their active ingredients. Think of them like a shield that reflects and scatters rays. Those ingredients are generally well-tolerated by most people, unlike chemical sunscreens which can provoke a skin irritation or allergy.

“Each of us has different skin,” says Ron Moy, MD. “Choose a sunscreen that your skin tolerates, first and foremost. Because we recommend wearing sunscreen every day, especially here in southern California, you need to find one that works for your skin.”

  1. Does a Higher SPF Mean More Protection?

Yes…up to a point.

The SPF number (sun protection factor) is a measure of the amount of protection the sunscreen offers against UVB rays, which primarily cause sunburn. While higher SPF values do offer slightly more protection, the difference is not substantial. SPF 30 blocks about 97% of UVB rays, while SPF 50 blocks about 98%.

The key is to apply sunscreen generously and reapply it frequently. 

  1. Does Waterproof Sunscreen Really Last Through Water?

No sunscreen is entirely waterproof or sweat-proof. Even waterproof sunscreen will gradually wear off with water (or sweat!).

If you’re at the beach or the pool all day or sweating heavily (perhaps running a marathon or working in a garden), reapply sunscreen every two hours or more frequently.

  1. True or False: If I Have Dark Skin, I Don’t Need to Wear Sunscreen

False!

All skin gets burned and damaged by the sun. When exposed to ultraviolet rays, the skin cells release pigment. We think of pigment (or color) as getting tan or getting burned. All skin reacts that way, it just shows up differently on different skin tones.

  1. True or False: Sunscreen Prevents My Body from Making Vitamin D.

False.

You know your skin is your largest organ, but did you know it’s also a manufacturing facility? When you expose your skin to sun, the ultraviolet B (UVB) rays interact with a protein in the skin called 7-DHC to turn it into vitamin D3. That’s the active form of vitamin D we need for bone health and a strong immune system.

The belief that using sunscreen inhibits that production is a myth. No study has ever shown that, according to the Skin Cancer Foundation. 

  1. Are the Chemicals in Sunscreen Slowly Killing Me or The Environment?

In 2019 the Food and Drug Administration shared its safety concerns about 12 ingredients in chemical sunscreens. The one that caused the most concern, oxybenzone, has largely been eliminated (but not entirely). The percentage of chemical sunscreens with oxybenzone decreased from 60% in 2019 to 13% in 2023, according to the Environmental Working Group (EWG), a research and advocacy organization in Washington, DC.

Manufacturers removed that chemical due to consumer pushback, not regulation. Oxybenzone has been linked to increased cancer risk and shorter pregnancies, among other risks.

As far as environmental concerns, yes, the chemicals in sunscreen can harm the ocean and the life forms in it. The National Ocean Service created an infographic explaining some of the negative effects (damaging coral and decreasing fertility in fish) and also listing the chemicals to avoid.

If you’re concerned about the chemicals in sunscreen (and remember that what you put on your skin goes into your body), you can:

  • Check the bar code on any product against the database of the EWG (look for their Good Health app on your phone)
  • Use mineral sunscreen instead of chemical
  • Incorporate other sun protection into your routines, like staying out of the sun when it’s high in the sky, and wearing protective clothing

  1. I’m a Sunscreen Pro Already. What Else Can I Do? What Does the Latest Research Tell Us?

There is recent, good evidence that sunscreens with DNA repair enzymes are superior to conventional sunscreens as proven in the journal article below.  At Moy, Fincher, Chipps, we recommend active ingredients that can repair past sun damage compared to conventional sunscreens.  “At Moy, Fincher, Chipps, it’s important to us to educate our patients about these active ingredients that can repair past sun damage as compared to the prevention-only abilities of conventional sunscreens,” says Ron Moy, MD.

The use of topical DNA repairs enzymes extracted from plankton, mustard green plants and a type of bacteria have been shown to reduce skin cancers by at least 60%.  We also recommend preventing skin cancers with Vitamin B3 oral supplements, topical DNA repair enzymes, and sunscreens with DNA repair enzymes.

Best Answer: Protect Your Skin

If you remember nothing else about sunscreen, remember to use it. You need protection against the sun to reduce your risk of skin cancer. This isn’t just our advice; this is based on evidence. Again, according to the Skin Cancer Foundation, “Controlled studies have shown that regular use of an SPF 15 or higher broad-spectrum sunscreen reduces your chances of developing squamous cell carcinoma by about 40 percent, melanoma by 50 percent and premature skin aging by 24 percent.”

Apply sunscreen 30 minutes before you go outside – whether it’s cloudy or sunny – and reapply every two hours. And don’t forget hidden spots like the tops of your ears!

 

Sources:

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8682817/

https://www.nytimes.com/2010/06/24/fashion/24skinside.html

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3303163/

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/26355618/

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/24002149/