As a self-proclaimed sunscreen enthusiast who wears mineral SPF every single day (yes even at home, and even when it's cloudy!), who grew up surrounded by fair-skinned women who freckle easily, and who works in the beauty space, I thought I knew most of what there is to know about sunscreen. Turns out, it took just one conversation with a dermatologist to show me that I still have a lot to learn.
You probably don't need me to spell out the very real risks associated with skipping the sun protection, but what you might not realize is that the benefits of wearing mineral sunscreen go beyond just preventing melanoma or even fighting premature aging. And if you have even a remote interest in skin care, you might want to listen up. For example, did you know that it can help brighten your skin tone? Yeah, me neither!
Dr. Onyeka Obioha, board-certified dermatologist, explains all things mineral sunscreen: why you should wear it, what you should look for, and how much is really enough to get by every day. Ahead, I'm sharing all my learnings, including why the Bliss Block Star Mineral Daily Sunscreen (which won a POPSUGAR Beauty Award!) — with its sheer universal tint and never-chalky, never-greasy finish — is the one sunscreen you'll actually want to wear moving forward.
How Mineral Sunscreen Can Work For Your Skin — And Not Just For Protecting
Chances are you know the basic skin risks of not wearing sunscreen daily: wrinkles, hyperpigmentation, and of course melanoma, the deadliest form of skin cancer. But if you consider sunscreen solely as protection against sun damage, you're not doing it justice.
As soon as I started making a habit of wearing mineral sunscreen daily in my mid 20s, I noticed my complexion improving — and it wasn't a coincidence. Studies have shown that zinc oxide, the main common active ingredient in mineral sunscreens, can help treat acne thanks to its anti-inflammatory properties. And that's just one of mineral sunscreen's many benefits. When I asked Dr. Obioha to settle my theories once and for all, she noted that in addition to treating acne, it can also help reduce skin dullness and brighten skin tone. "By using sunscreen, you fight UV-induced hyperpigmentation which results in a brighter, less dull-appearing skin tone."
And if you already have hyperpigmentation? Mineral sunscreen can help with treating that, too, which is something the dermatologist herself wishes she knew when she was younger. "To this day, I still have hyperpigmentation on my legs from mosquito bites and eczema that would probably be nonexistent if I focused my attention on sunscreen in my earlier years," she says.
Here's What to Consider in a Mineral Sunscreen
OK, so we've established why mineral sunscreen should be an important step in your daily routine. Next, it's about finding the right one for you. Most dermatologists recommend one with a minimum of: 10 percent zinc oxide, four percent titanium dioxide, and SPF 30.
I'm partial to the Bliss Block Star Mineral Daily Sunscreen myself, which checks all of those boxes and more. With 11.5 percent zinc oxide, 4.1 percent titanium dioxide, and SPF 30, you'll be protected against both UVA (aging) and UVB (burning) rays.
The formula also features an antioxidant blend of blueberry, acai and green tea extracts, as well as rose canina fruit oil. "Antioxidants such as green tea extract can further enhance sun protection, while acai, which is rich in fatty acids, omegas 3, 6, and 9, phytosterols, and vitamin C, is beneficial in individuals with inflammatory conditions such as acne and rosacea," Dr. Obioha notes. "Rosa canina is hydrating and brightening due to its vitamin C component." To top it off, it's also lightweight, noncomedogenic, and won't feel greasy or leave a white cast. Take it from me — it's one sunscreen you'll actually enjoy applying every morning.
So, What's the Deal With Applying Sunscreen?
Speaking of applying, I asked Dr. Obioha to put to rest some common misconceptions about how much sunscreen is really enough sunscreen to be slathering on every day. Not surprising, you should be applying more than you think. "Two finger lengths' worth of sunscreen is enough for face and neck," she shares. "For your body, one shot glass's worth." If you're swimming or sweating, don't forget to reapply every two hours, but if you're just working indoors and sitting away from windows, reapplying may not be necessary.
Oh, and the idea that if your makeup contains SPF, you can skip the sunscreen? Completely false. "An individual would need to use a significant amount of makeup (seven times the typical amount of foundation that one wears on a daily basis) to achieve the level of SPF listed on the makeup packaging," Dr. Obioha says. "The little protection makeup does have is an added bonus on top of sunscreen, but not enough by itself." Luckily, the Bliss Block Star Mineral Daily Sunscreen ($22) works almost like a primer and won't pill under makeup, so adding it to your routine will be a smooth transition — literally and figuratively.
