With so many options when sunscreen shopping it's easy to become overwhelmed. Is the more expensive one better? Does an SPF50 give three times protection of a SPF15? Does it matter if I use a chemical or mineral sunscreen?

Let's start with mineral sunscreens. The active ingredients in mineral sunscreens are of course minerals; either zinc oxide or titanium dioxide. These minerals cause the sun's rays to reflect off of your skin, and they protect you from both UVA and UVB rays. They are often referred to as physical sunscreens as they sit on the surface of your skin, so it's important to apply them generously and in even layers to ensure there are no areas of skin being exposed. As sunscreen is so heavily regulated, it's not too difficult to know whether you are holding a mineral or chemical sunscreen. If you take a quick glance on the back, you will see an area labelled "Active Ingredients" and if you see either zinc oxide or titanium dioxide, it's a mineral-based sunscreen. If it lists any other active ingredients that aren't either of those then it's a chemical sunscreen.

Chemical sunscreens on the other hand penetrate the skin to prevent damage from the sun by inactivating UV rays via a chemical reaction. As these need to be absorbed, it's essential to apply them well before exposure to the sun. 

If you can remember back to the earlier days of sunscreen, it was a thick pasty type substance but once we understood that sunscreen should be worn every day, white war-painted faces weren't ideal. That's when chemical sunscreen became popular as it was absorbed and easier for everyday use.  However, in recent years mineral sunscreens have continually been developed and are more wearer friendly as they are lighter and can be blended in.  Furthermore, chemical sunscreens may cause skin reactions in certain people and especially for those with sensitive skin as they can worsen melasma and rosacea.

What Does The SPF Number Mean?

SPF stands for ‘sun protection factor’ and indicates the level of protection a product offers from the sun’s harmful UVB rays. Our Ultra Moisturising SPF Sunscreen is an SPF15 sunscreen that will protect you from around 93% of UVB rays, whereas a sunscreen with an SPF of 50 means protection from about 98% of UVB rays. So going from SPF15 to SPF50 doesn't mean you get three times as much protection!

MISMO Tinted Mineral Sunscreen is a lightweight, non-greasy, waterproof formula that provides broad-spectrum SPF50 protection for all skin types, including the most sensitive. Unlike many other sunscreens, it blends completely into the skin, the slight tint leaving you with a youthful, glowy complexion. Comprising of 25% non-nano zinc oxide and natural minerals, daily use will provide a natural barrier against the harsh sun.