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Mineral vs Chemical Sunscreen: Which to Choose?

Is mineral or chemical sunscreen better for your skin? Learn what they are, how they both work and the benefits of each so you can decide which to use.

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Mineral vs Chemical Sunscreen

It is well known that sunscreen is important for anyone spending time in the sun to help protect skin from harmful UV rays. Best practice is to wear it daily, even when it’s cloudy outside. 

Daily sun protection will help protect your skin. It can also reduce the risk of skin cancer and early skin aging when used with other sun protection measures. 

There are two main types of sunscreen, mineral (sometimes referred to as physical) and chemical sunscreen. They work in different ways, and it is important to understand how they work and what benefits one has over the other.

What is mineral sunscreen?

Mineral sunscreen, sometimes referred to as physical sunscreen, stays on the surface of the skin and deflects the sun's harmful UV rays.  

The ingredients in physical/mineral sunscreen are Zinc Oxide or Titanium Dioxide. These minerals contain small particles that settle on the skin to create a physical barrier. This barrier protects the skin and partly bounces back UVA and UVB rays. The remainder of these UV rays can either be scattered or absorbed by these particles. 

What is chemical sunscreen?

Chemical sunscreen helps protect the skin by absorbing the UV rays through a chemical reaction. Chemical sunscreen is the most popular form of sunscreen and tends to be lighter and thinner than mineral.  

The active ingredients most commonly used in chemical sunscreen include Avobenzone, Octinoxate and Oxybenzone.

Which sunscreen is better: mineral or chemical?

woman smiling

There is not one type of sunscreen that is definitively better than the other, it comes down to preference and what is comfortable for your skin. The best sunscreen is the one you are most likely to apply regularly.

The chemicals within some sunscreens may irritate certain people's skin, especially small children or those with skin conditions such as eczema or rosacea. In these cases, it is recommended to use a physical sunscreen that sits on the skin's surface as these are usually better tolerated.  

Mineral vs chemical sunscreen - what are the advantages of each one over the other?

Although there is not one sunscreen that is better than the other, they do offer their own advantages. 

Benefits of mineral sunscreen:


  • Generally more suitable for sensitive skin 

    As it sits on top of the skin rather than being absorbed, it is less likely to cause irritation. Mineral sunscreen is therefore generally considered better for children and those with sensitive skin. 

  • Non-comedogenic 

    The mineral filters used in these lotions, such as Zinc Oxide and Titanium Dioxide, are non-comedogenic, meaning they are less likely to clog pores.  

  • Tear-free 

    As mineral sunscreen is often thicker, it is less likely to leak into the eyes or other sensitive areas. In addition, mineral filters are also not very reactive, so they are less likely to cause stinging and irritation. 
woman smiling while applying sunscreen

Benefits of chemical sunscreen:


  • Doesn’t leave white film/streaks on the skin 

    Chemical sunscreens tend to have a lighter formula and won’t leave a white film on the skin, unlike the denser physical sunscreens.  

Should you choose Mineral or Chemical Sunscreen?

There is not one universal sunscreen that you should choose, instead, it depends on your individual skin type and preference. It may come down to whether you have sensitive skin, or if you are active and want sun protection to be water resistant. By assessing your skin type and weighing up the benefits of each, you should have enough information to choose the best sunscreen for you. 

What is particularly important is the level of SPF sunscreen you choose to apply. SPF is the level of protection you are applying to your skin. It is recommended that if you are spending time in the sun, you should apply a minimum of SPF30 regularly to your skin. 

The Coppertone Pure & Simple range of mineral sunscreens has been created to protect sensitive skin with gentle Hypoallergenic formulas and 100%* mineral protection*. With Baby, Kids and Adult specific sunscreens all offering SPF50, there is something in the range to help keep the whole family protected from the sun's damaging UV rays.

*Based on Zinc Oxide active ingredient 

Coppertone Mineral Sunscreens

Find a Coppertone sunscreen for you

Coppertone has been providing continuous innovation for more than 75 years and is voted the most trusted sunscreen brand in the US*. The full range of Coppertone Sunscreens have been developed and tested by experts for reliably effective sun protection, whilst containing additional nourishing ingredients that care for your skin.  

Whether you require durable SPF for sport, mineral SPF for sensitive skin, SPF for babies and kids, moisturizing protection for the whole family or something for an extra shimmer and glow – Coppertone's range has you covered.  

Browse the range of Coppertone sunscreens to find those suited for your needs. 

*Voted Most Trusted Sunscreen Brand by American Shoppers Based on the 2021 BrandSpark American Trust Study.

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