Beauty

[SahmIam]

Is a MINERAL sunscreen the same thing as a PHYSICAL sunscreen? I ask because of the cancer risks in my family means I've seen many a dermatologist, had moles and other things removed and biopsied. I've been with family members during their cancer treatment. In the past 20 years or so, I've been told by Johns Hopkins and the Mayo Clinic (dermatologist and oncologists) that PHYSICAL sunscreens should be used for cancer protection over chemical, always.

So that's what I've used. I'm going to ask my docs Monday about this. I wear Dr. Gross SPF 50 Physical sunscreen every day of the year and no burn, no brown spots, nothing. Been using it since he brought it out.

Adding: No doc has used the term "mineral" when discussing physical vs chemical spfs. This is why I'm asking.

[SilleeMee]

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@SahmIam wrote:

Is a MINERAL sunscreen the same thing as a PHYSICAL sunscreen? I ask because of the cancer risks in my family means I've seen many a dermatologist, had moles and other things removed and biopsied. I've been with family members during their cancer treatment. In the past 20 years or so, I've been told by Johns Hopkins and the Mayo Clinic (dermatologist and oncologists) that PHYSICAL sunscreens should be used for cancer protection over chemical, always.

So that's what I've used. I'm going to ask my docs Monday about this. I wear Dr. Gross SPF 50 Physical sunscreen every day of the year and no burn, no brown spots, nothing. Been using it since he brought it out.

Adding: No doc has used the term "mineral" when discussing physical vs chemical spfs. This is why I'm asking.

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@SahmIam ,

Mineral sunscreen is the same thing as physical sunscreen. They usually contain 'oxides' (zinc or titanium) used as the sunscreen ingredient.

ETA- Physical sunscreens may also be called 'natural' sunscreens.

[SahmIam]

@SilleeMee  Thanks. I should have known that but I've never heard it described that way. I'm going to pull up the episode, print out (if possible) the info (or write it down) and discuss this with my specialists. Due to skin cancer issues (among other cancers) running in my family and me being so pale, I can't afford to have something that doesn't work. I've tried chemical and honestly, always came away with a burn no matter the level or how often I applied it. Physical? Just the opposite. 

Thanks for the info!! : )

[SilleeMee]

@SahmIam 

That Dr. Oz video has three parts to it so be sure and watch it all the way through.

[SilleeMee]

You're welcome! 

@Dazlin  @SahmIam  @tsavorite 

[JustJazzmom]

I agree with @willdob3 that skin damage takes years to show up. Keep protecting the skin with your sunscreen.

[customerqvc2]

I have very, very fair skin and burn easily, even in the shade.  I have been using Lessman's Sole Sunscreen without problems.  However, I always layer by using Sole sunscreen, then use an SPF 50 powder sunscreen by ColorScience over my arms and neck/declote.  On my face, I use his Sole sunscreen, then layer on a SPF 50 tinted mositurizer, then a light dusting of BM Matte Foundation.  I don't get more coverage that way, but I do make sure I am getting every inch of my skin fully covered with plenty of sunscreen that way.  A lot of people don't use sunscreen often enough or in the correct quanitity to fully cover their skin.  It takes more than you might think to get great coverage.

[ItsME]

I don't use his, but I've been using mineral sunscreens exclusively for many, many years.  I can't handle the chemical ones.  I used one by Elta MD years ago, and loved it, but it became too costly.  I used Banana Boat Kids Sport with PowerStay SPF 50 on my face when I walk the dogs in the morning, and on my body if I'll spend a lot of time in the sun during the day.  I use CoTZ sensitive SPF 40 on my face (following my morning walk).   These work well for me.  

As you all probably know, these mineral sunscreens go on white, but the color disappears quickly, and the protection is great!

[lovesallanimals]

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@SahmIam wrote:

Is a MINERAL sunscreen the same thing as a PHYSICAL sunscreen? I ask because of the cancer risks in my family means I've seen many a dermatologist, had moles and other things removed and biopsied. I've been with family members during their cancer treatment. In the past 20 years or so, I've been told by Johns Hopkins and the Mayo Clinic (dermatologist and oncologists) that PHYSICAL sunscreens should be used for cancer protection over chemical, always.

So that's what I've used. I'm going to ask my docs Monday about this. I wear Dr. Gross SPF 50 Physical sunscreen every day of the year and no burn, no brown spots, nothing. Been using it since he brought it out.

Adding: No doc has used the term "mineral" when discussing physical vs chemical spfs. This is why I'm asking.

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Sahmlam:  I also use Dr. Grosse and it is the only one that really prevents me from getting burned.  I have fair skin, had some minor skin cancers, and my dermatologist said this Dr. Grosse was an excellent product.  

[LuvmyLab]

Every July Consumer Reports rates the various sunscreens on the market.  In the recent issue(2019) they mention that mineral or physical sunscreens do not provide the protection that chemical sunscreens do.  I do not like using chemicals however I am a 3 tiime skin cancer survivor, always use sunscreen and I am never in the sun. I actually hate the sun.  If I am outside I am always in the shade. The cancers that I had were from serious burns when I was a child. Even though my mom put sunscreen on me when I was little the sunscreens back then didn't provide the protection they do now (I will be 60 in a few weeks) plus I did get a serious burn on a cloudy day when the sun wasn't out so I figured I didn't need SPF protection (that was when I was 18). So the mistakes of my youth are catching up with me.  In the Consumer Reports article it noted that companies are looking at making chemical sunscreens better for us, but for now they are the best choice for protection. For the 2nd year in a row Consumer Reports rated La Roche-Posay as the #1 sunscreen.  They rate SPF, UVA and UVB protection. They also compare the actual SPF compared to what the company says it has and it is shocking.  They found so many sunscreens that said they had a certain number of SPF but after CR tested the SPF it actually came in much lower that what the manufacturer said.  So the bottle might say you are getting an SPF 50 but you are actually getting and SPF 20.  I read the sunscreen article every year to see which ones are top rated. It's wotrh the read and full of information.