Now that summer has officially begun, here at La Chelé we are addressing the most important question of the season… what is the most effective kind of sunscreen – Chemical or Physical?
When it comes to protecting ourselves from the harsh effects of the sun’s rays we all have our own routine and methods. However, are we really using the best topicals for the job? For years I have used sunscreen brands such as Neutrogena, Banana Boat – all of which are chemical based sunscreens. While chemical sunscreen is always better than no sunscreen, there is another option – physical sunscreen. Physical sunscreen is made up of minerals such as Zinc Oxide and Titanium Dioxide. These minerals actually sit on top of your skin, protecting it by deflecting away UV rays. This is more important than ever now as a new study in JAMA (The Journal of the American Medical Association) just showed that chemical sunscreen (not zinc or titanium) are entering the bloodstream. Future investigation is being done to see what the safety and long-term effects are.
What we do know is that the only two ingredients that have been ruled as safe and effective are Zinc Oxide and Titanium Dioxide.
How can La Chelé help? We have the safest dermatological and medical grade options.
- Have acne or roseaca? Try our La Chelé powder stick (acts as a shield and does not get absorbed) or Elta MD UV Daily Tinted Broad-Spectrum SPF 40 – it even has niacinamide for redness and works great as a primer.
- Need full body coverage for your upcoming vacation? Our EltaMD UV Lotion is the best full body lotion on the market. It is not chalky and goes on evenly.
Sunblock only lasts 2 hours. Our team recommends putting a cream on in the morning and reapplying powder every 2 hours.
-Alissa, Patient Coordinator at La Chelé
