The arrival of spring means longer days and, with them, the desire to spend more time outdoors. Even though the temperatures may be milder, the sun’s UV rays remain just as damaging as they are at the height of summer, if not more so, because we tend to underestimate their exposure at this time of year.

Your providers at Advanced Skin Therapeutics encourage year-round sun protection, and with the upcoming transition into spring, it’s the ideal time to upgrade your SPF to a mineral formulation. They differ from chemical SPF, which absorbs UV rays and converts them to heat. Mineral, sometimes referred to as physical, sunscreens block UV rays by creating a protective film on the skin’s surface to help reflect UV rays before they penetrate the skin. Mineral sunscreens are usually thicker and may leave a white cast, while chemical sunscreens are thinner and transparent.

Why Choose Physical SPF Over Chemical?

While all sunscreens serve the same fundamental purpose, mineral/physical formulas offer unique advantages, particularly if you have sensitive skin:

  • While chemical sunscreens take up to 30 minutes to activate, mineral SPF provides a physical shield the moment it touches your skin.
  • The active ingredients of zinc oxide and titanium dioxide provide broad-spectrum defense without the risk of irritating sensitive skin or inflammatory conditions like rosacea. 
  • Going on vacation soon? Eco-conscious formulations in mineral sunscreens are free of oxybenzone and octinoxate, two chemicals known to contribute to coral reef damage.

Find Your Perfect Mineral SPF at Advanced Skin Therapeutics

Colorescience: Effortless, On-the-Go Sun Protection

If you need a mess-free and reapplication-friendly sunscreen, Colorescience offers SPF solutions designed to support you all day long. 

  • Sunforgettable Total Projection Brush-On Shield SPF 50 is a self-dispensing mineral powder brush that offers broad-spectrum protection with a sheer, weightless finish. It’s handy if you need a simple way to touch up your protection over makeup without disrupting your look. 
  • Total Eye 3-in-1 Renewal SPF 35 provides tinted, mineral SPF targeted for the thin, delicate skin around your eyes while reducing the appearance of dark circles and puffiness. 

Revision Skincare: Multi-Tasking Sunscreens for Daily Wear

Revision Skincare combines superior sun protection with skincare benefits for a healthy, hydrated complexion. 

  • Intellishade TruPhysical Clear SPF 50 features a three-peptide blend, vitamin C, antioxidants, hydrating squalane, aloe barbadensis leaf juice, and glycerin for anti-aging benefits. 
  • Intellishade TruPhysical SPF 45 includes iron oxides that adapt to your natural skin tone, evening out your complexion while delivering the same potent sun protection and anti-aging benefits as the original.

SkinCeuticals: Science-Backed Mineral Protection

SkinCeuticals is renowned for its science-backed skincare, and its mineral sunscreens are no exception. They come in a range of options tailored to meet your skincare needs.

  • Sheer Physical UV Defense SPF 50 offers powerful UVA/UVB protection in a lightweight, fast-absorbing formula. It has a matte finish that works well for everyday wear, especially under makeup.
  • Physical UV Defense SPF 30 caters to post-procedure, sensitive, and dehydrated skin with ingredients that combine barrier repair with broad-spectrum protection. In addition to increasing the expression of the proteins that maintain barrier integrity, it also includes a plankton extract that helps your skin better resist photo- and heat damage.
  • Physical Fusion UV Defense SPF 50 enhances your skin’s natural tone with a universally flattering tint delivered by its ultra-light formula that leaves your skin looking naturally radiant. 

EltaMD: Trusted Dermatologist-Recommended Protection

EltaMD sunscreens are a go-to choice among dermatologists for their gentle yet highly effective formulas suitable for a range of skin needs.

  • UV Pure Broad-Spectrum SPF 47 is an all-mineral sunscreen, formulated with photostable mineral active ingredients. It is ideal for outdoor enthusiasts of all ages who need a lightweight formula with serious staying power that is water-resistant for 80 minutes. 
  • UV AOX Elements SPF 50, a tinted mineral sunscreen, features potent antioxidants that help combat free radicals, offering anti-aging benefits alongside sun protection.  It contains Vitamin E, a powerful antioxidant, which neutralizes free radical damage and supports the visible reduction of photoaging of the skin. Hyaluronic acid which helps hydrate and retain moisture for a more youthful appearance. Bisabolol & ginger root extract to help calm irritated skin and visibly reduce redness. 
  • EltaMD UV Skin Recovery Red Color Correcting Green Tint Broad Spectrum SPF 50, the latest addition to the EltaMD lineup,  does more than shield your skin from the sun. It repairs, protects and restores  even the most sensitive skin barrier with patented 2% AA Complex Barrier Repair Technology, calming symptoms of inflammatory skin conditions. This green-tinted formula instantly neutralizes redness with color-correcting technology, neutralizing any redness, giving a more-even skin tone as it restores the barrier

jane iredale The Skincare Makeup: Recommended by The Skin Cancer Foundation

jane iredale makeup is mineral based with premium ingredients that focus on skin health and skin protection. It is dermatologist tested and recommended for the most sensitive skin.

  • PurePressed® Base Mineral Foundation SPF 20/15 is a light-to-full coverage pressed powder foundation, concealer and sunscreen with a skin-like, semi-matte finish. Available in 26 shades, the antioxidant-rich ingredients protect, nourish, clarify and balance skin while providing a physical, broad spectrum sun protection that is water resistant for 40 minutes. Reef safe.

  • Amazing Base® Loose Mineral Powder SPF 20/15 is a loose mineral foundation, powder and concealer with broad spectrum (UVA/UVB) sun protection that gives a sheer-to-full coverage. It conceals redness and diffuses the appearance of fine lines and pores with soft focus effect. It is water resistant for 40 minutes and reef safe.

Sun protection is the foundation of healthy, youthful skin, so you deserve effective, clinically proven solutions that keep you sun-safe in every season. 

Advanced Skin Therapeutics provides a diverse collection of dermatologist-approved SPFs available both in-store and online, making it easy to find the perfect match. Visit us in person to chat with our skincare specialists or shop from the comfort of your home. Either way, just make sure that you’re keeping your skin shielded against the damage that UV rays can do to your complexion on a daily basis.