FAQ About Sunscreen

Traditionally, "sunscreen" and "sunblock" were terms used interchangeably to refer to products designed to protect the skin from the sun's harmful UV rays. However, in recent years, there has been a shift in how these terms are used, and some manufacturers and experts now make distinctions between the two:

Sunscreen:

• Sunscreen is a product that absorbs or filters UV radiation before it penetrates the skin.
• It contains chemical ingredients that work by absorbing UV rays and converting them into less harmful energy.
• Sunscreen allows a small amount of UV rays to penetrate the skin, but it significantly reduces the amount that reaches the deeper layers.
• Sunscreen is available in various forms, including lotions, creams, gels, sprays, and serums.
• The term "sunscreen" is more commonly used today to refer to sun protection products.

Sunblock:

• Sunblock is a product that creates a physical barrier on the skin's surface, reflecting and scattering UV radiation away from the skin.
• It contains mineral ingredients like zinc oxide or titanium dioxide, which sit on top of the skin and form a protective barrier.
• Sunblock provides more effective protection by blocking a higher percentage of UV rays from penetrating the skin compared to sunscreen.
• The term "sunblock" is less commonly used today, and many experts prefer to use "mineral sunscreen" or "physical sunscreen" to refer to products with zinc oxide or titanium dioxide.