Are you wondering why physical sunscreen has become a better choice for sensitive skin and for overall UV protection? Well, its origin dates back to centuries. Today, physical sunscreens are formulated with zinc oxide and titanium dioxide to provide broad-spectrum protection. Thus, technological advancements have made them even more elegant, offering effective protection for all types of skin.
Protection Provided by Physical Sunscreens
The use of active ingredients zinc oxide and titanium dioxide has made this more potent in providing protection to your skin. The minerals remain on the surface of your skin, forming a physical barrier. As the sun emits harmful UVA and UVB rays, the physical sunscreen will reflect and scatter them before they penetrate your skin. So, unlike chemical sunscreens that will need about fifteen to twenty minutes before activating, physical sunscreens work immediately after applying them on the surface of your skin. Thus, giving you an immediate effect like no other.
How Active Ingredients in Physical Sunscreens Developed
Natural sunblock was used by ancient Egyptians with the use of rice, jasmine, and lupine extracts for sun protection. However, they seem unable to understand UV rays yet during that time. The use of zinc oxide was only made prevalent in modern physical sunscreens. But zinc oxide was already used in ancient remedies to soothe and protect the skin.
The active ingredient zinc oxide was then used during the 18th century for the purpose of skincare. This is attributed to its calming and protective properties. During the 19th century, it has become a common ingredient in calamine lotion and other relevant remedies for treating burns and skin irritations.
The formulation of sunscreen also began to emerge between the 1920s and 1930s. This is when early products were offered with the use of basic UV protection. In post-World War II, the use of zinc oxide in sun protection products started appearing due to its ability to effectively block UV rays. Then, in the 1980s, mineral sunscreens gained popularity as the dangers of being exposed to the sun became more widely understood. These include skin cancer and premature ageing.
How Photoageing Can Be Prevented by Physical Sunscreen
It is widely known that exposure to the sun is one of the main causes of premature ageing. This is often referred to as photoageing. Physical sunscreen plays a significant role in preventing the early signs of ageing from happening. This is done by protecting your skin from harmful UV rays to help you maintain a youthful appearance.
- Protects Your Skin from Harmful UVA and UVB Rays
When UVA rays penetrate deeply into your skin, it causes collagen breakdown, wrinkles, and loss of elasticity. On the other hand, UVB rays will primarily cause sunburn that could lead to visible damage. Using physical sunscreen blocks both UVA and UVB rays effectively.
- Hyperpigmentation Prevention
If you are exposed to the sun for a prolonged period of time, it can lead to dark spots and uneven skin tone. Physical sunscreen minimises this risk by reflecting UV rays from the sun.
- Free Radical Damage Reduction
You should know that free radicals are produced by UV radiation that can accelerate skin ageing. The use of physical sunscreen will provide antioxidant protection with zinc oxide to reduce oxidative stress.
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