How does sunscreen work chemically

Zip Code. The difference between physical and chemical sunscreen. Chemical vs. Harvey says there are pros and cons to both types of sunscreen.

Physical sunblock tends to be: Less irritating and a better fit for sensitive skin. More moisturizing, which can feel heavy on the skin. Chemical sunscreen is a better option if you: Are swimming and need a water-resistant formulation. Inorganic chemicals in sunscreen can reflect or scatter the light away from the skin, and organic carbon-based ones can absorb UV rays so that our skin doesn't.

Some inorganic chemicals, including minerals such as zinc oxide or titanium dioxide, act as a physical sunblock. They reflect UV rays, similar to how white paint reflects light. The white-colored noses on beach-goers in the s and s were due to these compounds; because manufacturers make the inorganic particles much smaller now, we don't see the visible white.

Along with inorganic chemicals, sunscreens often contain organic chemicals, with names such as avobenzone or oxybenzone. She recommends trying out different products and finding one you like best. My Chart. Donate Today. For Physicians. Cancer Moonshots. June How sunscreen works. Next Article. June : How sunscreen works. Types of sunscreen Sunscreens combine different ingredients to help stop UV rays from damaging your skin. Physical blockers: The physical blockers — titanium dioxide or zinc oxide — are minerals that are ground into fine particles.

Chemical absorbers: Chemical or organic, meaning carbon containing sunscreen ingredients form a thin protective film that absorbs UV radiation before it penetrates the skin. Is one type of sunscreen better than the other? Is sunscreen safe? It was for a time considered relatively harmless in comparison to UVB, but now the damage it can cause is beginning to be understood, sunscreens have included different chemicals to also shield against this portion of the UV spectrum.

So, how does sunscreen work chemically? Both inorganic chemicals and organic carbon based chemicals can be used to afford protection. The two inorganic compounds used are titanium dioxide and zinc oxide. These compounds are often described as merely providing a physical, reflective barrier to UV light, but in fact they can absorb the UV radiation, and dissipate it harmlessly.

The first sunscreens containing only these chemicals would have left a visible white layer on the skin. In present day sunscreens, a combination of inorganic chemicals with organic chemicals are used. Due to their chemical structures, chemical bonds in certain organic chemicals are able to absorb photons of UV light — this energy is then dissipated harmlessly in the form of heat.