Physical or Chemical Sunscreen? Or a hybrid of the two?
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Mon Mar 14, 2016 1:24 pm

Hi all,

I am looking for a good sunscreen, but I'm not sure how to choose between physical or chemical. I have a couple of questions if someone could help me out.

1.Is physical or chemical sunscreen better and why? Which sunscreen do you personally use?

2.Can I layer physical sunscreen over chemical sunscreen for superior protection?

3. Do hybrid sunscreens, or sunscreens that are combinations of both physical and chemical, work and does anyone use one? One example I saw was the Renee Rouleau SPF 30 but that is pretty expensive.

Other things to note. I want a sunscreen that will keep me as pale as possible (I just like pale skin). And I don't mind a white cast.

Recommendations are welcome! Any help would be much appreciated. Thanks so much, everyone!

free skin care · Tue Mar 15, 2016 8:25 pm

These are all good questions. You may want to read this, it's one of the best articles explaining sunscreen I've seen:

http://vanityrex.com/2015/05/21/everything-you-should-know-about-sunscreen-pt-1/

In general you want protection against UVA and UVB, plus it needs to be a SS you will wear consistently.

Personally I think physical is best, with high zinc. But it dries my skin, so I alternate days with Japanese SS (chemical) from Biore.

You can layer, but avobenzene doesn't always play well with other SS filters, so best to avoid it.

Hybrids are good. Elta MD has some good ones too.

Wed Mar 16, 2016 4:43 am

I like chemical sunscreen because the texture is better and is easier to apply, it won't make me looked like wearing a mask, just a natural effect, and I don't need to remove it that carefully.

Remember to reapply after several hours, but if your sunscreen is absolute physical, forget this step.
But maybe chemical sunscreen is not a good choice for sensitive skin.

I like heliocare fluid cream spf50+, it contains anti-oxidant effect. products of shiseido(comfortable usage & good protection) and la roche-posay(unworried protection)

Wed Apr 06, 2016 5:30 am

I think the Chemical Sunscreen better，and I recommend Japan sunscreen ANESSA, frivolous and anti-perspiration, the effect is good.

free skin care · Wed Apr 06, 2016 12:00 pm

epmarshall wrote:

Hi all,

1.Is physical or chemical sunscreen better and why? Which sunscreen do you personally use?

2.Can I layer physical sunscreen over chemical sunscreen for superior protection?

3. Do hybrid sunscreens, or sunscreens that are combinations of both physical and chemical, work and does anyone use one? One example I saw was the Renee Rouleau SPF 30 but that is pretty expensive.

1. For UV protection, physical is better and zinc oxide provides the broadest UV protection

Chemical SS are more cosmetically elegant as they absorb better and don't interfere as much with makeup.

2. Yes, I apply Elta MD Sport (chemical & physical) or Skinceuticals UV Sport (chemical) first then on top I layer Skinceutical Physical Fusion UV Defense (physical) or MD Solar Sciences Mineral Creme (physical).

For foundation, I use a BB/CC cream that has SPF 50 with zinc oxide and PA+++ or PA++++.

This is the only way to keep my melasma under control.

Japanese sunscreens have the lightest and best finish but most contain denatured alcohol so are very drying. There are a few Biore SS without alcohol - you can look at Ratzilla.com to find a good Japanese SS. In general, Japanese SS are the best as far as weightlessness and protection if you don't mind alcohol.

3. Yes they work but as you don't mind a white cast and want strong UV protection, make sure there is more than 10% zinc in the formula. Zinc is drying so be sure to moisturize well.

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