What is the best sunscreen to use on my face – mineral or a chemical sunscreen? And when should I apply it in my skincare routine?
Mineral sunscreens are like a sunblock and contain ingredients like zinc oxide and titanium dioxide that sit on top of the skin and act like a shield to scatter and deflect UV rays away from the skin. They are non-irritating and less likely to clog the pores, so they are suitable for sensitive and acne skin, but they can be a little chalky in appearance.
Chemical sunscreens are made from ingredients like avobenone and octinoxate that absorb the damaging energy of UV rays… a bit like a sponge …and generally are thinner in consistency and easier to apply.
In the end, both are as good as each other – it just depends on your personal preference.
Whatever you choose, always look for formulas that have both UVA and UVB protection with a minimum of SPF 30, and a formula that suits your skin’s specific needs. As a rule of thumb, you should be applying your SPF as the very last step of your skincare routine, before you put on makeup but leaving a few minutes for the moisturiser to penetrate first.
If it’s a chemical formulation, you’ll need to wait 20 minutes before going out in the sun to ensure it has fully penetrated the skin.
Or why don’t you try La Roche-Posay Anthelios Age Correct SPF50+ (£18.75), an advanced formula that combines your moisturiser and SPF skincare in one step. It is also packed full of great skincare ingredients – from hyaluronic acid to niacinamide – with UVA and UVB protection to reduce the appearance of wrinkles and dark spots and improve skin elasticity.
