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> Sunscreens are really valuable technology But is there anything functionally wrong with zinc oxide sunscreen? If not, why is it not available as the default
by Schroedingersat 4y ago
> Sunscreens are really valuable technology
But is there anything functionally wrong with zinc oxide sunscreen? If not, why is it not available as the default option with chemical sunscreens available for those who want to go out of their way to not look pale?
- nradov 4y agoTitanium dioxide appears to be just as good as zinc.
- throwaway1851 4y agoThat’s a good point. I think tolerability is the only drawback, otherwise zinc is functionally superior because it doesn’t get depleted in the way that chemical filters do. It does tend to be a lot heavier and greasier, though, and I’d say most people aren’t okay with the white/blue cast if they’re not at the beach. So chemical filters have an important role to play in terms of making sunscreen something that people can use consistently.
- aboodman 4y agoI am confused. the situation is exactly as you describe, modulo the word "default": zinc oxide sunscreens are available, chemical sunscreens are also available. And I'm not sure what "default" means in this context. Anyway, if you spend a lot of time in the sun or at the beach the functional problem with zinc oxide is pretty clear: it's harder to spread and put on. This might not seem like an issue but if you spend a lot of time dealing with it, the annoyance adds up.