Excessive sun exposure is a primary cause of skin cancer. Many methods of sun protection exist, including the use of sunscreens and sunblocks. Sunscreens and sunblocks are often confused to be the same thing. However, they are different in how they protect the skin from the sun. Sunblock is a recommended way to protect the skin from the sun and is recommended for protecting infants' skin from the sun. Learn about sunblock and the active ingredients that provide sun protection.
Sunblock Versus Sunscreen
Sunscreens work by absorbing and filtering UV rays so they are not absorbed into the skin. Sunblock reflects or blocks the UVA and UVB rays before they come in contact with the skin.
Uses
Sunblock can be applied on all exposed skin, but due to its opaque nature, it usually is applied only to the nose. Sunscreens that contain sunblock are to be applied a half hour before sun exposure and every 2 hours after that, because the chemicals of the sunscreen breakdown after prolonged sun exposure.
Zinc Oxide
Zinc oxide is a naturally occurring mineral and a physical sunblock that is less irritating than the chemicals found in sunscreens. This mineral blocks the sun's rays before they reach the skin and can be applied as an opaque white cream.
Titanium Dioxide
Another naturally occurring physical sunblock, titanium dioxide, works the same way as zinc oxide in reflecting or blocking the suns rays before they come in contact with the skin. Titanium dioxide is also used in cosmetics to provide low levels of sun protection.
Popular Brands
Popular sunblocks include Blue Lizard Sunblock and Neutrogena Sunblock. Coppertone and Banana Boat make suncreens that contain zinc oxide and titanium dioxide.
Considerations
Many sun protection lotions and creams claim to be sunblocks and are not. If zinc oxide or titanium dioxide is not listed as an active ingredient or among the first three ingredients listed, then the product is only a sunscreen or a sunscreen with a low level of sunblock included.
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