Sunscreen should be simple. But walk into any beauty store and you're immediately faced with a wall of choices: mineral or chemical filters, SPF30 or SPF50, 2-in-1 or two separate products. It's a lot. We're breaking it down for you, one comparison at a time.
1. Mineral vs Chemical Sun filters
Both filters protect your skin from the sun. But they work in completely different ways.
Chemical sunscreen absorbs UV rays and converts them into heat, which is then released from the skin. To do this, it relies on synthetic filters that penetrate the skin. For some skin types, this can cause irritation, especially for sensitive or reactive skin types.
Mineral sunscreen works differently. It sits on top of the skin and physically reflects UV rays away, like a shield. The active ingredient here is natural zinc oxide. A mineral that needs no absorption, no chemical reactions, no irritation to function and reflect.
For daily use, especially if you have sensitive skin, mineral is the gentler, more skin-friendly choice. It's also the safer option for children, and for the environment.
2. Natural vs Synthetic Sunscreen
All of our formulas are made with natural ingredients, and our Daily Mineral Sunscreen SPF30 is no exception. We didn't want to compromise on that. Natural zinc oxide as the active filter, combined with ectoin, hyaluronic acid and rosehip seed extract for hydration and barrier support. Clean, effective, and safe.
This doesn't mean we want to create a witch-hunt against synthetic filters. To us, the choice is based on a way of life. We prefer unprocessed foods, vibrant with colour, bursting with vitamins, naturally serving our body good. We think of skincare in the same way.
3. SPF 30 vs. SPF 50
Here's something most people don't realise: the difference between SPF30 and SPF50 is smaller than it sounds.
- SPF30 blocks 97% of UVB rays
- SPF50 blocks 98% of UVB rays
That's a 1% difference. For daily use (commuting, working, running errands) SPF30 provides more than sufficient protection.
What matters far more than a higher number is how often you apply and whether you reapply throughout the day. Most people apply far too little, which dramatically reduces the actual protection they get, regardless of the SPF on the label.
Increasing the SPF to 50 would influence our natural formula too much, not being able to provide this fluid, silky texture. SPF30 provides an amazing daily protection.
4. 2-in-1 Day Cream vs Moisturize + Protect
We get it, a daily moisturizer with built-in SPF is what everyone is looking for.
We want to create some context around this to make things clear. A sunscreen formula typically has 20-25% of its formula filled up with sun filters. Besides filters, your formula needs water, emulsifiers, preservatives and of course: other active ingredients to soothe the skin barrier and add hydration.
Intentionally, we chose to build in ectoin, betain (excellent ingredients to support a healthy skin barrier!), organic rosehip seed extract (our multitasking, repairing signature ingredient) and hyaluronic acid (excellent to moisturize the skin).
But do know you won't get the same hydrating effect from a sunscreen with skincare benefits, as from an actual moisturizer.
This is why we recommend everyone to start the day with a dash of Prebiotic Toning Essence and end with the Daily Mineral Sunscreen, or include the Balancing Facial Cream under the sunscreen, to properly hydrate your skin in case of extra dryness. Take our Skin Quiz to find it how your ideal morning routine looks like!