Sunblock, on the other hand, sits on top of our skin and blocks the sun’s rays by reflecting them. Though both methods provide protection, they aren’t created equal, if you ask the experts. RELATED: Here’s How to Tell If Your Sunscreen Is Expired Typically speaking, Dr. Murphy-Rose says sunblock is more effective than its sister sunscreen. She says zinc oxide and titanium dioxide are currently the only ingredients that meet the Food and Drug Administration’s requirements to be labeled GRASE (Generally Recognized as Safe and Effective). “The active ingredients in sunblock are also thought to be safer for the environment,” she says. “Coral reef destruction is a major environmental concern, so it is important to choose a sun protectant that contains reef-safe active ingredients.” Sunscreen contains chemicals such as avobenzone, octocrylene, homosalate, octisalate, octinoxate, and oxybenzone, among many others. Though these do provide the sun protection we need, Dr. Murphy-Rose says the jury is still out on how potentially damaging they could be to our bodies with consistent use. Also, sunscreens often need to be reapplied more often and given more time to seep into our pores. “Because sunscreen does not create a physical protective shield, it does not tend to provide as much protection against many sun-induced conditions like pigmentation changes and rosacea compared to sunblock,” she says. “Chemical sunscreen ingredients are more likely to elicit allergic reactions than are zinc or titanium.” “According to their reasoning, topical preparations can help protect you from the harmful effects of ultraviolet irradiation. However, nothing can completely ‘block’ the sun,” Dr. Mamelak says. “The FDA, therefore, did away with this term and it is no longer allowed to be used with labeling of approved products.” The same is true with sweat-proof and waterproof products, which are now called water-resistant since, technically, they are only effective for a period of time, not forever. “The idea here was not to give consumers the false sense that they are protected for an entire day at the pool. Rather, the cream has to be reapplied,” Dr. Mamelak says. RELATED: Do You Still Need to Wear Sunscreen If You’re Inside All Day? Derms Weigh in While sunscreen is essential, Dr. Camp says it should only be step one before braving the sunny day ahead: “It is also recommended to use UV-protective clothing, hats, and sunglasses to defend against UV radiation directly from the sun and also from reflective surfaces, such as sand, snow, and water,” he says. When in doubt? Remember: Too much sun protection is never a bad thing.
