SUN FILTERS, WHICH ONES TO CHOOSE AND WHY?
Are sun filters harmful?
Not only can UV radiation be harmful to your skin, but some UV filters in sunscreen products are also a topic of debate. That's why more and more consumers are critically examining the ingredients in their sun protection. It's a good time to check which type of filter your sunscreen contains.
Mineral versus synthetic filters
There are two types of sun filters: mineral (or natural) filters zinc oxide and titanium dioxide, and synthetic filters, such as octocrylene, oxybenzone, octinoxate, homosalate, and avobenzone. Both protect against UV radiation but differ in their mode of action. They also have different safety profiles and environmental impacts.
How do mineral filters work?
Zinc oxide and titanium dioxide are minerals that form a protective layer on the skin. They offer broad protection against both UVA and UVB radiation. While it was once thought that they only reflect UV radiation, we now know that they primarily absorb and partially scatter UV rays. The absorbed energy is then converted into a small amount of heat.
Mineral filters are generally well tolerated, even by people with sensitive skin. That's why they are often used in products for children and for the most vulnerable skin types.
What about nanotechnology?
To reduce the familiar white cast of mineral sunscreens, zinc oxide and titanium dioxide are sometimes processed into ultra-small nanoparticles. This creates a more transparent finish but also raises questions. For example, the long-term effects of exposure to nanoparticles are not yet fully known. Additionally, nano-titanium dioxide can form free radicals under certain conditions, although this is usually prevented in modern formulas with a protective coating.
There are also concerns about inhaling nanoparticles via sprays and about the negative effect of nanoparticles in the environment on aquatic organisms. Therefore, more and more brands are consciously choosing non-nano mineral filters.
The debate around synthetic filters
Synthetic filters absorb UV radiation and convert it into heat. Although they effectively protect against the sun, they have been a subject of debate for years. Substances like oxybenzone and octinoxate have been linked to possible hormone-disrupting effects in laboratory and animal studies. Additionally, octocrylene can degrade into benzophenone during storage, a substance that is critically monitored due to potential health risks.
Several synthetic filters have also been found in blood, urine, and breast milk after using sunscreen products. Although they are permitted within European safety standards, research into the effects of long-term exposure continues.
And the environment?
In addition to possible health effects, there are concerns about the impact of certain synthetic filters on marine ecosystems. Therefore, a number of tourist destinations have imposed restrictions on sunscreens containing oxybenzone and octinoxate. Mineral filters are often seen as a more environmentally friendly alternative, especially when non-nano variants are chosen.
What does Witlof Skincare choose?
At Witlof Skincare, we consciously choose mineral, non-nano sun filters. The Nourishing Day Cream SPF30 contains zinc oxide. The Tinted Day Cream SPF30 contains a combination of zinc oxide and titanium dioxide. Thus, both products effectively protect your skin daily from harmful UV radiation, without using synthetic filters that may be detrimental to health or nature.
