Now that summer is here, we are going out in the sun a lot more. Of course, it’s a good idea to wear sunscreen all year long. However, this time of the year, we look for sunscreens that work best.
The sunscreen market is currently saturated with so many SPF options from clean, mineral, to powder sunscreens? Yes, you read correctly, powder sunscreen. A powdered sunscreen may sound appealing for people who are not fans of liquid sunscreens that can get goopy and messy.
Can a powder sunscreen really protect you from the sun’s harmful UV rays? Also, is it effective as a traditional liquid sunscreen?
What is a powdered sunscreen made of?
It’s evident that a powdered sunscreen’s main job is to be a protectant from the sun, but what are the fundamental ingredients in a powder sunscreen? A powder sunscreen relies upon mineral SPF ingredients such as titanium dioxide and zinc oxide.
These are powders, to begin with, so it’s natural for these two ingredients to be in a powder sunscreen. Primarily the elements in a powder sunscreen work on the skin’s surface to block the sun’s damaging rays. Most powder sunscreens are non-toxic and are less irritating to the skin than conventional chemical sunscreens, which can benefit people with sensitive skin.
What are the advantages of powder sunscreen?
- It’s small enough to carry around in your pocket or handbag.
- A powder sunscreen is applied with a brush to your skin, so it’s less messy.
- It feels light on the skin and doesn’t appear to make the skin look oily.
- Non-comedogenic, which means it won’t clog the pores, therefore, fewer acne breakouts.
- There are powder sunscreens that are translucent or tinted. The tinted powders are great if you want to have a small amount of coverage (depending on the formula) or if you want to even out your skin tone.
Can a powder sunscreen be effective?
It’s fantastic that a powder sunscreen offers benefits such as ease, made of mineral ingredients, and suitable for sensitive skin. Also, it’s a good option for when you want to avoid a messy liquid sunscreen. However, the most crucial detail is can a powder sunscreen be as effective as a liquid sunscreen?
Dermatologists recommend sunscreens that have zinc oxide and titanium dioxide combined. The FDA advises that they are looking for more information and need to conduct more studies before determining whether or not a powder sunscreen is safe.
Some powder sunscreens contain aluminum, glycerin, and other ingredients. If you have sensitive skin or have skin allergies to certain elements, it’s best to look for a powder sunscreen with a simple ingredient list.
In an article on drbaileyskincare.com, dermatologist Dr. Cynthia Bailey explains that a powder sunscreen should be used only on top of a liquid sunscreen to maximize UV protection.
When you apply a powder sunscreen, it’s hard to determine how much you are actually applying to your skin. In addition, the powder is very light and airy. Therefore, it’s hard to cover all the areas on your face and body thoroughly that need UV sun protection.
Don’t breathe it in
Just as you would with other powders, it’s best not to inhale a powder sunscreen when applying it to your skin. Some of the powder can get into your lungs and irritate them. Overall, it’s best for your health not to breathe in the powder.
Conclusion
Powder sunscreens are great for convenience and when you want to have a less messy application of sun protection. However, to get the best UV sun protection coverage, liquid sunscreen is still the best way to go.
Powder sunscreen needs to be applied every two hours while you’re out in the sun. It would be best if you were to use powder sunscreen as an extra layer of protection.
A powder sunscreen is an excellent option for when you need to reapply SPF throughout the day but don’t want to bother with a liquid sunscreen.
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