Mineral Based Sunscreens (Titanium Dioxide and Zinc Oxide)

The “burning” question regarding the ingredients: Mineral Based Sunscreens (Titanium Dioxide and Zinc Oxide)

With the lack of scientific evidence regarding the safety of the long-term use of chemical (non-mineral) based sunscreens that contain oxybenzone, mineral based sunscreens provide a great alternative.

Unlike chemical based sunscreens that absorb the harmful radiation from the sun, mineral based sunscreens contain active ingredients that block both UVA and UVB radiation. These ingredients include zinc oxide and titanium dioxide.

Sunscreens that contain these ingredients are seen to be much more efficient as their chemical counterparts. Sunscreens that use zinc oxide and titanium dioxide begin blocking the harmful UV radiation (UVA and UVB) the moment it is applied to the skin. They last longer than your conventional chemical based sunscreen and they are known to be less of a skin irritant especially to those who have sensitive skin, such as myself.

So are mineral based sunscreens better and safer than chemical based sunscreens?

Well, traditionally, mineral based sunscreens leave a lot to be desired in terms of their aesthetic qualities as compared to chemical based sunscreens. They tend to be greasier, whiter (opaque) in colour and do not blend into the skin leaving a white creamy residue.

It has been found that sunscreen aesthetics have a significant impact of whether they are used and applied properly. If the sunscreen is too greasy, too thick and does not blend into the skin, it is normally not used properly no matter how effective the ingredients of the sunscreen may be.

So, yes, mineral based sunscreens may be better and “safer” than chemical based sunscreens but they tend not to be used “properly” which poses a significant issue regarding sun protection and skin cancer prevention.

However, new formulations of mineral based sunscreens have been developed which provide more aesthetically pleasing characteristics. Technology has now allowed sunscreen makers to shrink the size of zinc oxide and titanium dioxide particles to the point where they have become virtually translucent. These “nanoparticles” have allowed mineral based sunscreens to become thinner, less greasy and have given them the ability to blend into the skin more much more effectively. 

But, according to the Environmental Working Group (EWG) and a report released last year from Friends of the Earth, an international grassroots environmental network, the size of these particles may be a cause for concern.

It is believed that the smaller the particle, the more easily zinc oxide and titanium dioxide can be absorbed in the body and into the blood steam. It has been shown that when these chemicals are absorbed into the blood stream, they can pose significant harm.

Although this may be a cause for concern, according to EWG analysis, this has yet to be proven whether these nanoparticles are actually absorbed into our skin though sunscreen use.

So which type of sunscreen, those containing oxybenzone or those containing zinc oxide or titanium dioxide, are truly safer?

EWG states:

Although we expected to reach a different conclusion at the outset of our sunscreen investigation, when we balanced all factors important in sunscreen safety, our analysis shows that many zinc and titanium-based sunscreens are among the safest and most effective sunscreens on the market.


Simply, there seems to be more breadth in the research that suggests oxybenzone “may” be more harmful than zinc oxide and titanium dioxide nanopartciles. In time research may, or may not, suggest otherwise, but for now it seems mineral based sunscreens are more recommended.

However, we have to remember that sunscreen is a secondary measure of sun protection. We all know that the primary way to stay safe from the harmful effects of the sun is by staying in the shade, avoiding the sun during peak hours or remaining covered while outdoors.

Next up on Be “Sun” Savvy
•    Issues regarding retinyl palmitate (vitamin a) in sunscreen, vitamin D defficieny and issues regarding sunscreen sprays
•    Proper sunscreen etiquette and conclusions

Sources of Information
Canadian Cancer Society. (March, 2010). Sunscreen and cancer. Accessed on June 18th,
2010 at http://bit.ly/dqgNog

Environmental Working Group. (2010). EWG’s 2010 sunscreen guide. Accessed on June
15th, 2010 at http://www.ewg.org/2010sunscreen/

Friends of the Earth. (2009). Manufactured nanomaterials and sunscreens:
Top reasons for precaution. Accessed on May19th, 2010 at http://bit.ly/bWcUfK

Gavura, Scott. (June, 2010). The great sunscreen cover up. Science-Based Medicine.
Accessed on June 18th, 2010 at http://www.sciencebasedmedicine.org/?p=5541