What’s the big fuss about sunscreen?

Sunscreen is a protective topical product that absorbs/reflects some of the sun’s ultraviolet rays. it works by creating a film or coating on the skin that attenuates or filters out radiation that would otherwise permeate into the skin. They either absorb or scatter the small photons before they penetrate the skin. The two main types of sunscreens include physical and chemical sunscreens.

Physical sunscreens contain agents such as titanium oxide and zinc oxide which reflect the Ultraviolet (UV) rays of the sun and hence provide a physical barrier for the skin, they are ideal for sensitive skin; however, the main disadvantage of using physical sunscreens is that they leave a white cast on the skin which tends to be aesthetically unpleasing to the user. Chemical sunscreens on the other hand absorb the ultraviolet rays of the sun, take 20minutes to be fully effective, they contain agents such as Oxybenzone. There are certain considerations that one should keep in mind when selecting a sunscreen.